PEA may support exercise performance in addition to its anti-inflammatory properties
The branded palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) ingredient called Levagen+ significantly improved dynamic lower body power, and did not inhibit strength training adaptations unlike NSAIDs or other analgesics.
Photo © AdobeStock.com/Kay Abrahams/peopleimages.com
A recent double-blind randomized control trial1 found that a branded palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) ingredient called Levagen+ significantly improved dynamic lower body power, and did not inhibit strength training adaptations unlike NSAIDs or other analgesics. In the study, 52 untrained, recreationally active participants between the ages of 18 and 35 were given either 350 mg of PEA or placebo daily for eight weeks. Researchers assessed changes in total and regional lean body mass, muscular strength using 1-RM bench and isometric mid-thigh pull, muscular power using countermovement jump (CMJ) and bench throw, pain associated with exercise training, sleep, and wellbeing.
Results showed that post-intervention there were no significant differences between the groups for total or regional lean muscle mass. The PEA group saw significantly higher jump height (CMJ) at week 10 compared to placebo, meaning they had improved dynamic lower body power, while the placebo group had higher 1-RM bench press post-intervention compared to the PEA group. No significant effects were noted for any of the other outcomes.
“To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the effects of PEA on the adaptive responses to strength training, and it is a great honor to have this data published in the Sports Medicine Journal,” said R.V. Venkatesh, co-founder and managing director at Gencor, in a press release. “This is our second study investigating Levagen+ for active nutrition, and it continues to show great promise in this category.”
References
- Huschtscha, Z.; Silver, J.; Gerhardy, M.; Urwin, C.S.; Kenney, N.; Le, V.H.; Fyfe, J.J.; Feros, S.A. et al. The Efect of Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) on Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy, Strength, and Power in Response to Resistance Training in Healthy Active Adults: A Double Blind Randomized Control Trial. Sports Medicine-Open. 2024, 10, 66. DOI: 10.1186/s40798-024-00732-6
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