A 12-week randomized trial explored how palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) affects the gut microbiome and health markers in overweight adults (n=58, BMI 30–40). Participants received either PEA (n=36) or placebo (n=22).
PEA supplementation significantly lowered serum triglycerides and IL-2 levels. Gut microbiota composition, richness, and diversity showed no major group differences, but pathway analysis revealed targeted effects: reduced aromatic compound degradation, NAD interconversion, and L-glutamate degradation, alongside increased molybdopterin biosynthesis and O-antigen building block pathways. The latter may enhance smooth LPS formation, linked to reduced pathogenic persistence.
These findings suggest PEA may fine-tune microbial functions and host metabolic health, offering a potential strategy for managing inflammation and triglyceride levels in overweight individuals.
