A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 57 adults with obesity (BMI 30-40 kg/m²) found that 250 mg/day of oleoylethanolamide (OEA) supplementation for 12 weeks was safe and selectively modulated the gut microbiome without altering overall microbial diversity. The intervention enriched beneficial bacteria, particularly Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, species linked to metabolic and intestinal health. These microbial shifts were accompanied by improvements in host biomarkers, including increased occludin (a marker of intestinal barrier integrity) and favorable modulation of inflammatory markers such as reduced interleukin-1β and increased interleukin-2. The findings suggest OEA may act as a targeted microbiome-modulating nutraceutical ingredient supporting gut barrier function and metabolic health in overweight and obese adults.
Source : https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/29933935.2026.2622259
