Palmitoylethanolamide, a fatty messenger the body makes to calm local inflammation, is an oral supplement of interest for long-lasting pain, brain health and age-related inflammation. Pain relief is its clearest case, building over one to two months; evidence also supports fewer colds and lower eye pressure in glaucoma. Trial side effects were rare and mild. Most studies ran only weeks, safety in pregnancy is unknown, and much research was manufacturer-funded. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pain intensity (0–10 NRS) | No established target; reduction of at least 30% from own baseline | Primary efficacy signal |
| hs-CRP | Below 1.0 mg/L, ideally below 0.5 mg/L | Systemic inflammation |
| Triglycerides | Below 100 mg/dL (1.1 mmol/L) | Possible lowering by palmitoylethanolamide; metabolic baseline |
| ALT and AST | Below 25 U/L each | Liver safety during long-term use |
| Fasting glucose and HOMA-IR | Glucose 75–90 mg/dL; HOMA-IR below 1.5 | Observational insulin-resistance signal |
| Intraocular pressure (glaucoma only) | Individual target set by the eye specialist, commonly 10–21 mmHg | Efficacy in glaucoma |
Cadence: Baseline before starting; symptom check at 4 weeks; laboratory panel at 8–12 weeks; then every 6–12 months during continued use. Eye pressure 1–2 months after starting (glaucoma only).