What Is a Fatty Acid Amide?Updated 18 minutes ago
A fatty acid amide is a molecule formed when a fatty acid is chemically joined to an amine through an amide bond. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), the single active ingredient in Codeage Liposomal PEA, belongs to this family of compounds.
What do “fatty acid,” “amine” and “amide” mean?
- A fatty acid is a chain of carbon atoms with an acid group at one end. Fats and oils are built from them, and they are found in foods and in every cell of the body.
- An amine is a molecule that contains nitrogen and can form bonds with other molecules.
- An amide bond is the link created when an acid group and an amine are joined. When the acid is a fatty acid, the resulting molecule is called a fatty acid amide.
How is palmitoylethanolamide built?
The name describes its parts. “Palmitoyl” comes from palmitic acid, a common saturated fatty acid. “Ethanolamide” comes from ethanolamine, a small amine-containing molecule. Joined together, they form palmitoylethanolamide, often shortened to PEA.
Chemists place PEA in a subgroup of fatty acid amides called N-acylethanolamines, which are fatty acid amides built on ethanolamine. The PubChem entry for palmitoylethanolamide lists its structure and identifiers.
Where are fatty acid amides found?
Fatty acid amides occur naturally. Different members of the family are found in small amounts in foods and in animal tissues. Because several fatty acids and amines exist, many different fatty acid amides exist, each with its own name and structure.
Is a fatty acid amide the same as a fat, a protein or an amino acid?
No. Fats are built from fatty acids joined to glycerol. Proteins are built from chains of amino acids. A fatty acid amide is a smaller, separate type of molecule, defined by the single bond between a fatty acid and an amine.
Is PEA a fatty acid amide in Codeage Liposomal PEA?
Yes. Codeage Liposomal PEA lists one active ingredient on its Supplement Facts panel: Palmitoylethanolamide; Ultra Micronized (PEA), 500 mg per capsule. For a plain-language overview of the ingredient, see What Is PEA (Palmitoylethanolamide) in Codeage Liposomal PEA?
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