Ways CBD Manages Diabetes

Diabetes is significantly prevalent in the United States. With over 100 million Americans currently living with type one or type two diabetes, and about 84.1 million who are prediabetic, we felt compelled to discuss the many ways CBD can help in managing the disease’s symptoms.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes, or diabetes mellitus, is a disease in which the body’s ability to produce or respond to the hormone insulin is impaired, resulting in an abnormal digestion of carbohydrates and dangerously high levels of glucose in the blood and urine. Glucose is blood sugar and is not only the main source of energy for the brain, but it’s also the body’s cells’ fuel source. Due to a lack of insulin, a hormone in the pancreas that allows your body to process and use glucose, diabetics suffer from irregular glucose levels.

There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, also referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes, occurs when the immune system attacks and destroys the cells in your pancreas that make insulin. It is most commonly diagnosed in children and young adults, and patients need to take insulin every day to stay alive. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, can be developed at any age, and occurs from the body not being able to produce insulin well.

Depending on whether patients suffer from the Type 1 or Type 2 form of diabetes, the body is either unable to produce insulin, or it’s unable to use it in a way that’s sufficient enough to maintain glucose at a healthy level in the bloodstream. Unstable glucose levels can cause a wide array of serious, life-threatening conditions.

Symptoms of Diabetes

The symptoms associated with diabetes include:
● Increased thirst
● Frequent urination
● Unexplained weight loss
● Fatigue
● Extreme hunger
● Irritability
● Blurred vision
● Dry and itchy skin
● Frequent infections

Over time, high levels of glucose can lead to problems such as
● heart disease
● stroke
● kidney disease
● eye problems
● dental disease
● nerve damage
● foot problems

How does CBD Help?

Cannabinoids promote homeostasis, reduce inflammation and decrease blood pressure. This is because they act upon the cannabinoid receptors in the brain, CB1 and CB2, which stimulate anti-inflammatory and analgesic responses. The ways CBD can impact diabetes patients positively include:

1. Prevention

Endocannabinoid receptors have been found specifically in pancreas islet cells, where insulin is produced. The stimulation of these cells could promote production of insulin.

Further, according to a 5-year study, people who used cannabis-related products regularly had fasting insulin levels that were 16 percent lower than participants who had never used cannabis. People who have a higher chance of developing diabetes have insulin resistance and high fasting insulin levels, so the use of CBD helps stabilize and lower these levels to prevent diabetes from developing.

2. Neuropathy

Nerve damage is a common result of diabetes, and the hands and feet are the primary areas, but organs can become affected too. CBD is known for relieving the symptoms and pain that comes from nerve damage from other diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and arthritis. This is because the cannabinoids bind naturally to the receptors in the endocannabinoid system, and when multiple cannabinoids work together in a process called the entourage effect, the medical efficacy to decrease pain can increase dramatically.

3. Obesity

CBD performs several different functions in the body that contribute to its weight management benefits. Cannabinoids have shown they can play a role in the regulation of glucose metabolism, suggesting that they’re beneficial for regulating fat tissue in humans that are obese. Further, it allows patients to get rid of extra weight in the form of inflammation, and it may also act as an appetite suppressant. As a result, it would help people avoid overeating and gaining weight.

4. Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance occurs when the body’s cells reject insulin, which is produced by the pancreas to regulate blood sugar. Because cells reject insulin, they cannot absorb the glucose that is needed for energy, which causes the build up of glucose in the bloodstream. Therefore, insulin resistance is a key factor in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Studies have a shown a connection between chronic inflammation and insulin resistance. They explain that when inflammation is reduced, the immune and cardiovascular systems are able to work significantly better. If these systems are able to work harmoniously and effectively, the body is able to function properly as well. This means the chances of developing insulin resistance and diabetes are decreased overall.

Follow us on our social media to learn more about the health and wellness benefits of CBD!