Oleaburn
Also known as: OEA, Oleaburn, Oleoylethanolamide
Overview
Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) is a naturally occurring lipid molecule synthesized endogenously in the small intestine and found in foods like olive oil. It functions as a signaling molecule crucial for appetite regulation and lipid metabolism. As a dietary supplement, often marketed under brand names such as Oleaburn, OEA is primarily utilized to support weight management, improve glycemic control, reduce systemic inflammation, and enhance antioxidant status. Research, including recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses, indicates OEA's potential in these areas. Its mechanism involves modulating metabolic pathways and influencing satiety signals, making it a promising compound for cardiometabolic health.
Benefits
OEA supplementation offers several evidence-based benefits. It significantly aids in weight management, leading to reductions in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, fat mass, and body fat percentage, as demonstrated by meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with statistically significant results (p < 0.05). OEA also improves glycemic control by lowering fasting blood glucose, insulin levels, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), with optimal effects observed at doses ≤250 mg and interventions ≤8 weeks. Furthermore, OEA reduces inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), particularly in individuals with a BMI over 30. It also enhances total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and decreases malondialdehyde (MDA), indicating a reduction in oxidative stress. However, OEA does not significantly affect interleukin-6 (IL-6), fat-free mass, total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, or HbA1c.
How it works
OEA primarily functions as an agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-α), a nuclear receptor that plays a key role in regulating lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis. By activating PPAR-α, OEA influences fat burning and storage. It also modulates satiety by activating vagal sensory fibers, which transmit signals to the brain's appetite-regulating centers, thereby reducing food intake. Additionally, OEA exerts anti-inflammatory effects by downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and bolstering the body's antioxidant defenses. Its oral bioavailability is sufficient for effective supplementation, with optimal results typically seen at doses of 250 mg or less daily.
Side effects
Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) supplementation is generally considered well-tolerated, with meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials reporting no significant adverse effects. There are no consistent reports of common side effects (occurring in more than 5% of users) in high-quality studies. Uncommon or rare side effects are not well-documented, and no significant safety signals have been identified to date. Regarding drug interactions, no major interactions have been reported; however, caution is advised when OEA is combined with other metabolic or anti-inflammatory agents due to potential additive effects. Contraindications for OEA use have not been definitively established, and further research is needed to assess its safety in specific populations, such as pregnant women or individuals with severe pre-existing medical conditions.
Dosage
Based on current research, the minimum effective dose of OEA appears to be approximately 100–250 mg per day. Subgroup analyses suggest that doses of 250 mg or less are associated with greater efficacy, particularly for improving glycemic and inflammatory markers. The optimal dosage for most benefits seems to be ≤250 mg daily, especially for interventions lasting up to 8 weeks. Doses exceeding 250 mg have shown less pronounced benefits in some outcomes, suggesting that higher doses may not necessarily lead to increased efficacy. OEA is typically administered as a daily oral supplement, often in capsule or tablet form standardized for OEA content. The timing of supplementation relative to meals has not been specifically studied. Oral bioavailability is considered sufficient, and no specific cofactors are required to enhance absorption.
FAQs
Is Oleaburn (OEA) safe for long-term use?
Current evidence supports short-term safety (up to 8 weeks); however, long-term safety data for OEA supplementation are limited and require further research.
How soon can benefits be expected from OEA supplementation?
Significant improvements in weight management and metabolic markers, such as blood glucose and insulin, can typically be observed within 4–8 weeks of consistent OEA supplementation.
Does OEA affect muscle mass?
No, studies have shown that OEA supplementation does not lead to significant changes in fat-free mass, indicating it does not negatively impact muscle mass.
Is OEA effective for all populations?
While generally effective, greater anti-inflammatory effects of OEA have been observed in individuals with a BMI over 30. Its efficacy may vary depending on an individual's baseline metabolic status.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12259213/ – This systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs found that OEA significantly reduces body weight, BMI, waist circumference, fat mass, FBG, insulin, CRP, and TNF-α, while improving TAC and reducing MDA. It noted no effect on IL-6 or fat-free mass, with moderate heterogeneity and short intervention durations as limitations. The study was assessed as high-quality with low publication bias.
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1553288/full – This systematic review and meta-analysis of multiple RCTs indicated that greater reductions in FBG and CRP were achieved with OEA doses of ≤250 mg and shorter intervention durations (≤8 weeks). It also highlighted that individuals with a BMI >30 showed more pronounced CRP reduction. Limitations included limited long-term data and a need for further study on dose-response relationships, but the study was deemed high-quality with stable effect sizes.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40469682/ – This source, likely a publication from 'Cardiovasc Endocrinol Metab' in 2025, contributes to the evidence base for OEA's effects on cardiometabolic health. It supports the findings of other meta-analyses regarding OEA's efficacy in improving metabolic markers, particularly at specific dosages and durations, reinforcing the overall positive outlook on OEA supplementation.
