Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) is a lipid mediator naturally produced in the small intestine and is known to regulate feeding and body weight in animals and humans. Scientific interest in OEA’s role in weight loss is supported by preclinical and clinical studies. OEA acts as a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-α) agonist, which is associated with increased fat utilization and decreased appetite. Animal studies have shown that OEA administration reduces food intake and body weight gain, primarily by inducing satiety and delaying meal initiation. Several small human studies and pilot trials suggest that OEA supplementation can reduce caloric intake and modestly support weight loss when combined with caloric restriction or lifestyle modification.

However, while the mechanistic evidence is strong and preliminary clinical results are promising, large-scale, long-term randomized controlled trials in humans are limited. The evidence base is currently rated as moderate (3/5) due to the need for more robust clinical validation. OEA is not a traditional remedy, and its use for weight management is based on scientific investigation rather than historical precedent.