Description
Our custom formulation for relief from inflammation and pain to support brain and immune health:
Palmitoylethanolamide + Curcumin
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PEA – PALMITOYLETHANOLAMIDE
I want to introduce to you a little known intriguing and underrated substance that is naturally found in our bodies and in plants to combat pain & inflammation: Palmitoylethanolamide or PEA for short.
PEA is actually a fatty acid that boosts your natural cannabinoids and protects the nerves throughout your body.
We’ve known about PEA since the 1950s but little research was done to fully appreciate its powers. Since the 1970’s more than 30 clinical trials have confirmed that PEA can relieve complex pain in the body! Recently it was discovered that PEA can activate the cannabinoid receptors, protect the brain and heart, improve mood, reduce allergies and can assist in fighting the common cold. Those cannabinoid receptors are directly involved in nerve communication.
Client: Wait? Did you say, “ cannabinoid receptors? Isn’t that the same thing that CBD oil does?
Me: Yep! Basically, it can do exactly what CBD oil derived from HEMP plants can do in the human body. And it’s legal!
While Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) shares many features comparable to Cannabidiol (CBD),the advantage with PEA is that it has better pre-clinical and clinical research to support its use.
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CHRONIC PAIN
In 12 of the studies completed, PEA reduced chronic and neuropathic pain intensity without any serious adverse effects. It did take up to 2 weeks to achieve pain relief, which allowed the PEA to pass through the body completely. Taking it over a longer period of time strengthens its effects without causing tolerance. This is huge as typically taking opioids or other pain pills the body builds up a tolerance causing a need for higher and higher doses. Not so with PEA. The dosages used were up to 600 – 1200mg per day.
The studies done also showed pain relief in the following: endometriosis, improved sexual function, fibromyalgia, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, back surgery pain, cancer pain, arthritis pain.
BRAIN HEALTH
PEA may also be beneficial for neurodegenerative diseases and stroke because it helps brain cells survive and lowers inflammation. In a study of 250 stroke sufferers, PEA greatly improved recovery and showed beneficial effects on cognitive skills, and overall brain health and daily functioning. The effects were noticeable after just 30 days and further improved the longer they took the supplement.
In another study in mice, PES prevented Parkinson’s disease, reducing damage in the brain and protecting dopamine neurons.
But aside from its direct effects on brain cells, PEA is important for brain health due to its action on our endocannabinoid system. In the brain, our natural cannabinoids play diverse roles in behavior, cognition, mood, and seizure risk, among others.
A few studies are suggesting that endocannabinoid imbalances contribute to autistic behaviors and impaired immunity. Impaired natural cannabinoids may also play a role in epilepsy. PEA could possibly relieve seizures and shorten their duration but increasing cannabinoid activity in the brain.
EYE HEALTH
PEA protects the nerve cells and is not restricted just to the brain. Healthy nerves in the eyes are crucial for maintaining proper vision. Inflammatory damage to the nerves in the eye, most commonly caused by glaucoma and diabetes showed major improvements in 9 clinical trials using dosages up to 1.8g (600 – 3x daily) day. In 32 people with glaucoma, it reduced high eye pressure and improved vision over 6 months.
Post-Operative Pain
Recent studies have indicated that nearly half of all surgical patients still have inadequate pain relief. Multiple mechanisms are involved in postoperative pain including neuroinflammation and mast cell activation. Previous studies have shown that incisions can cause mast cell degranulation resulting in the release of many chemicals that promote the development of acute and chronic pain. Studies suggest that reducing neuroinflammation and stabilizing mast cells reduce post-operative pain,
One study looking at post-operative pain after surgical extraction of impacted lower third molars did show reduction of pain with PEA. While specific studies for postoperative pain are lacking, when one evaluates the mechanisms postulated for the evolution of acute to chronic pain, especially in spinal surgery, the use of PEA as a glial cell inhibitor to reduce the development of pathologic neuroinflammation makes sense. Along with other glial cell inhibitors including resveratrol and low dose naltrexone, PEA may offer a role as a safe supplement to be taken in the post-operative period to reduce the evolution of chronic pain at little risk of side effects or harm.
OTHER HEALTH ISSUES
PEA has successfully been used to relieve symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), UC Ulcerative colitis, depression, Multiple Sclerosis, and even the common cold. PEA also appears to possess effectiveness in syndromes associated with chronic pain including depression and anxiety.
Conditions with Evidence of Benefit with PEA
- Arthritis – osteoarthritis & rheumatoid arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Peripheral neuropathies – diabetic neuropathy & chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Opioid Tolerance and Hyperalgesia
- Low back pain – herniated disc disease, failed back surgery syndrome, other
- Sciatic pain
- Dental pain
- Neuropathic pain – related to stroke & multiple sclerosis
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Shingles pain (postherpetic neuralgia)
- Vaginal pain (vulvodynia)
- Post-operative dental surgery pain
- Traumatic Brain Injury/Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
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CURCUMIN
Curcumin (Curcumin is the key active ingredient that is found within the turmeric plant) is notoriously hard to digest and be assimilated into the body. Our RELIEF utilizes a particular raw source for curcumin that has shown in clinical trials to significantly have better absorption than regular turmeric extracts. In fact the form of curcumin we used increases curcumin stability and enhances oral absorption by over 20-fold!
Several studies have reported that Curcumin is beneficial in lowering LDL and raising HDL or good cholesterol while reducing the lipid peroxidation. Ten human volunteers were given 500 mg of curcumin for seven days during a controlled trial at Amala Cancer Research Centre in India. After seven days, they noted a 29% increase in good cholesterol (HDL) and a reduction of 11.6% total cholesterol. Lipid peroxidation was also reduced by 33% Another study published in Atherosclerosis in Dec. 1999 by the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Granada reported that curcumin was effective in inhibiting LDL oxidation and lowering LDL cholesterol as well as triglycerides. According to the latest research, curcumin reduces cholesterol by interfering with intestinal cholesterol uptake, increasing the conversion of cholesterol into bile acids, and increasing the excretion of bile acids (International Journal of Vitamin Nutritional Research)
Aging baby boomers are becoming increasingly aware of the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, first in their parents and eventually in their own generation. Curcumin may offer some hope as a treatment for this devastating disease. Research is still ongoing, but there is evidence that Curcumin could offer significant protection against neurotoxic and genotoxic agents. One research team concluded that “In view of its efficacy and apparent low toxicity, this Indian spice component shows promise for the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.
In scientific studies Curcumin has been shown to have promise in :
1. Treatment for indigestion and upper abdominal pain due to functional disorders of the biliary system
2. Treatment for cataracts
3. Possible treatment for MS
4. Arthritis treatment
Supports the Body’s Normal Inflammatory Response
Turmeric, a well-known traditional herb, contains curcumin, a potent antioxidant that offers numerous health benefits. Most of these benefits come from curcumin’s strong antioxidant activity and its ability to support the body’s normal inflammatory response. Curcumin interacts with numerous biochemicals in the body to promote the body’s normal inflammatory response and help keep this response functioning, as it should.
Emerging research suggests curcumin’s antioxidant activity and support of the body’s normal inflammatory response, as well as its potential to support already normal cholesterol levels, has a significant role to play in contributing to cardiovascular health, liver function, and joint health.
For several thousands of years, cultures from around the world have used naturally occurring dietary components that have been discovered to be biologically active. These plant-derived chemicals have generated considerable interest recently for their potential to combat human diseases such as cancer, inflammation, and atherosclerosis. Curcumin is a chemical of the polyphenol family derived from the rhizome Curcuma longa L. The dried, ground product of this root is the common spice known as turmeric. Referred to as haldi in Hindi and ukon in Japanese, this spice has been used as an aromatic and coloring in food, as well as having a significant role in both Asian medicine and ancient Hindu scripture.
In clinical and scientific trials curcumin has been found to assist in inhibition and prevention of cancer:
- Human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC): curcumin treatment resulted both in the inhibition in the growth of these tumor cells, as well as an increase in the death of these tumor cells
- Oral cancer: When applied three times per week to the affected area in the mouth, curcumin inhibited the growth of chemically-induced oral cancers with a noted increase in effect if administered with green tea extract.
- Hepatic cancer: Curcumin given orally resulted in decreased growth and increased tumor cell death in animal models.
- Mantle cell lymphoma: These tumor cells showed significant inhibition of cell proliferation when treated with active curcumin
- Non-small cell lung cancer:
Curcumin has been shown to increase sensitivity to specific chemotherapy (IFN-Gamma) which, without curcumin, was relatively insensitive to this particular cancer type. - Colon cancer and polyps: The oral administration of curcumin has been shown in multiple rodent models to inhibit polyp formation as well as increasing cell death in existing colon cancer lesions.
With several recent studies focusing on the beneficial effects of polyphenol-based dietary components such as red wine on vascular health, curcumin has been shown to improve several aspects of cardiovascular health:
- High homocysteine levels: Patients with high homocysteine levels have been found to have endothelial cells that do not function properly. Endothelial cells are those cells that line the inside of our blood vessels and, amongst other functions, prevent blood from clotting and plaques from forming. Curcumin has been found to prevent this dysfunction. It was suggested that dietary curcumin plays a role in the treatment of patients with high homocysteine levels.
- Atherosclerotic lesions: Curcumin treatment resulted in a significant decrease in early atherosclerotic lesions (fatty streaks) in rabbits fed high fat and cholesterol diets.
- Oxidized-LDL levels: Curcumin was given at a dose of 1.66mg/kg body weight orally to rabbits fed a high fat and cholesterol diet resulted in a significant decrease in oxidized-LDL levels after 7 weeks of treatment.
- C-reactive protein (CRP)-induced vascular damage: CRP is a protein that the body produces as a marker of inflammation and has been shown to damage endothelial cells. This results in increased evidence of vascular disease and blood clotting. Curcumin treatment was shown to completely inhibit the effect of CRP on these endothelial cells.
Anti-inflammatory assistance:
- COX-2 inhibitor: Recently,
commercially available COX-2 inhibitors have fallen under much scrutiny in the treatment of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Curcumin has been shown to potently inhibit the COX-2 enzyme in a variety of cell types. - Traumatic shock: After accidents and trauma, large quantities of blood loss can cause the body to fail and organ systems to shut down as a result of a massive inflammatory reaction. Curcumin was found to lower the serum levels of certain inflammatory proteins to normal in these cases.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: A trial in humans was conducted to determine the effects of curcumin on the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Eighteen patients were administered 1200mg/d of curcumin for two weeks and it was found that this treatment regimen resulted in a significant improvement in morning stiffness, walking time, and joint swelling.
Liver and Detox:
Curcumin also helps digestion, increases bile flow and aids in eliminating toxicity.
Bottom Line:
Curcumin is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It may be useful as supportive therapy for
- chronic pain
• fibromyalgia
• eczema
• psoriasis
• chronic skin problems
• high cholesterol
• cancer
• Alzheimer’s
• memory loss
• liver problems
• irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive problems
• cardiovascular problems
Curcumin may be useful to help maintain the healthy functioning of all organ systems including
- eyes
• brain
• heart - digestive system
• liver
• reproductive organs
• musculoskeletal system - immune system