PEA may support joint discomfort and improve quality of life, says recent study

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A recent study published in the International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences¹ found that a dispersible palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), called Levagen+ (from Gencor, Irvine, CA), may help alleviate joint discomfort. In the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 74 adults with joint pain were given either 175 mg of PEA or placebo twice daily for two weeks. The primary outcomes assessed were the reduction in pain based on the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, which subjects completed in the morning and evening. Results showed that subjects taking PEA saw significant reductions in VAS scores on day 14, compared to placebo.

“We are thrilled with the results of this study that further validates the potent effects of Levagen+ and suggests that PEA may be a safe and beneficial treatment for individuals with joint health related concerns,” said Chase Shryoc, vice president of sales and business development for Gencor, in a press release. “With its anti-inflammatory and analgesic proprieties, along with its ability to influence the endocannabinoid system, Levagen+ PEA can play a critical role in supporting joint function.”

Interestingly, both groups saw significant improvements in VAS scores from day 3 until day 10, when scores plateaued and increased for the placebo group, and continued to decrease for the PEA group. Total mood scores from the Profile of Mood States questionnaire also significantly improved in the PEA group, demonstrating an improved quality of life.

Reference

1. Briskey D et al. “The effect of a dispersible palmitoylethanolamide (Levagen+) compared to a placebo for reducing joint pain in an adult population – a randomised, double-blind study.” International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences, vol. 10, no. 1 (2021): 9-13