As our way of life is increasingly affected by the fast pace of modern society, our way of healing ourselves has suffered. Most of us tend to take the easy route to making our daily lives easier: eating out, no exercise, less time in nature, and more time in front of screens are some of the reasons why lifestyle-related diseases are on the rise.
Type 2 diabetes is one of those preventable lifestyle diseases. In France, in 2015, 3.7 million people were taking medication for their diabetes (i.e. 5.4% of the population).
In this article, we will look at what diabetes is, what are the risk factors for developing this disease, and how CBD can help both prevent and treat diabetes.
What is diabetes (and what are type 1 and type 2 diabetes)?
In order for the carbohydrates in the food we eat to become useful energy, the body breaks them down into glucose. These sugar molecules are then taken up by our cells through the use of insulin as a peptide transport hormone.
The body regulates our energy stores by producing insulin to balance blood sugar, which is blood sugar. However, when the body is stressed, the pancreas (which produces insulin) and the entire endocrine system become confused, which over time can lead to an imbalance between blood sugar and insulin levels.
Such an imbalance can cause diabetes.
Diabetes is a condition in which the body stops producing enough insulin to control blood sugar. There are two types of diabetes: type 1, which mainly affects children and young adults, and type 2, which usually affects adults. Among people with diabetes, about 10% are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, while 80% have type 2 diabetes.
The difference between the two types is that while type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body inexplicably begins to attack its insulin production, type 2 manifests as insulin resistance , where the body gradually loses the ability to produce and receive enough insulin. Insulin.
Symptoms of diabetes vary by type, but also from person to person. The most common symptoms include excessive thirst and hunger, frequent urination, weight changes, fatigue, unexplainable nausea, and/or slow healing of wounds and cuts.
The causes of diabetes can also be very different. As an autoimmune disease, the cause of type 1 diabetes is difficult to identify, but genetics, infections, or exposure to chemicals in food have been identified as possible triggers for this type of diabetes. Meanwhile, obesity, age, diet and lifestyle choices (such as exercise levels) are some of the factors that can increase your risk of developing diabetes, especially type 2. .
Due to the many and sometimes very varied symptoms, causes and types of diabetes (including others rarer than those mentioned), the diagnosis of diabetes is only possible on the basis of tests carried out by a doctor. However, there are some things you can do to prevent this disease from developing, even if you are predisposed to it.
Diabetes treatment and prevention
Treatment for diabetes also varies. Type 1 diabetes often requires daily insulin injections to balance the endocrine system. Meanwhile, type 2 diabetes is usually treated without medication, and instead more emphasis is placed on diet, exercise, and daily blood sugar monitoring.
Therefore, type 2 diabetes is easier to prevent and delay than type 1 diabetes. Some ways to prevent type 2 diabetes include:
- ✔️ Healthy and balanced diet with lots of vitamins and omega acids that stimulate the endocrine system
- ✔️ Regular exercise
- ✔️ Maintain a healthy weight
- ✔️ Quit Smoking
- ✔️ Reduce alcohol consumption
- ✔️ Avoid and prevent stress
Check your risk of developing type 2 diabetes
Additionally, modern research also suggests that CBD may be able to restore balance to the endocrine system, which naturally draws our attention to how CBD oil can help diabetics.
CBD oil and diabetes
In type 1 diabetes , the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Cannabidiol can help reduce the severity of autoimmune reactions in the body. These reactions include inflammation of the pancreas, where an overactive immune response causes the body to attack and kill its own insulin. It is a defect in the endocrine system that can alter the functioning of many organs and the internal balance throughout the body.
By reducing inflammation, CBD can help the body protect its own insulin production , ensuring it is not damaged or broken down. In one study, researchers also found that the incidence of type 1 diabetes in animal models was reduced when mice were given CBD. Therefore, CBD may have the potential to prevent type 1 diabetes , although more research is needed to confirm this theory.
Research also shows that 60-70% of diabetics have suffered some sort of damage to their nervous system, again confirming that there is a strong link between an imbalanced endocannabinoid system (ECS) and diabetes.
This is due to the close relationship between our endocannabinoid system and the central nervous system, where the ECS helps regulate and maintain our body's response to threats – both internal (such as autoimmune diseases) and external ( such as viruses and bacteria). While the ECS is second to none
So, when the ECS is out of balance due to poor diet or lack of exercise, our nervous system is also negatively affected. To help restore balance to these systems, CBD oil is a natural supplement with many beneficial properties.
For up to 70% of diabetics whose nervous system has been damaged by their condition, neuropathic pain is not uncommon. Since CBD has been shown to have an analgesic effect , diabetics may find much-needed relief from CBD oil to ease their pain and reduce inflammation, which may increase the intensity and frequency of pain. pain. Additionally, studies have shown that CBD can also reduce the likelihood of developing neuropathic pain in the first place by preventing damage to the nervous system.
This important role of the endocannabinoid system in the development and prevention of diabetes is also underlined by the influence of ECS on our metabolism.
CBD and weight: preventing type 2 diabetes
Although type 2 diabetes is not inherently due to being overweight, people who are a few pounds overweight are more likely to develop diabetes, especially if those pounds are in the belly area.
This is because being overweight or obese causes inflammation in your body, which means your body becomes less sensitive to insulin. While the abdomen is where most of our organs are located, including the intestines.
Our intestines are the basis of our health. If your microbiome and the natural bacteria in your gut are balanced and healthy, chances are you'll feel healthy and happy.
Our mental health is also rooted in our gut, and naturally: if you have stomach aches, abdominal pain, or other physical health issues, you get nervous, but the balance of microbes in your gut can also affect directly your mood.
This is because the gut is directly connected to our brain, endocrine system, and many other organs and body systems. Scientists have even discovered that gut bacteria send neurotransmitters that activate the production of serotonin, dopamine, and other feel-good chemicals in our bodies. So if our gut is out of balance, so is our mood and overall health.
Among people with type 2 diabetes, 82% are overweight or obese. The extra fat puts extra stress on your internal organs, including your intestines. The pancreas, which is the organ responsible for producing insulin, can also be overloaded by being overweight.
Therefore, losing weight can both reduce the stress levels your body is exposed to, and prevent (or at least delay) the development of type 2 diabetes, if you are predisposed to it. Plus, a healthy weight combined with a balanced diet and regular physical activity can help improve your mood and health in a completely natural way.
For those struggling to lose weight, CBD oil and whole plant hemp extracts can be a helpful option. Research has shown that CBD and other non-psychoactive cannabinoids can restore balance to the endocannabinoid system , which can help balance gut health. CBD contains the perfect balance of omega 3 and 6 acids, as well as a long range of other beneficial vitamins and minerals that can help your gut regain strength. As such, by rebalancing the ECS, you have a better chance of preventing diabetes and even restoring longer-lasting insulin production.
Other studies also point out that the non-psychoactive cannabinoids THCV (not to be confused with the psychoactive cannabinoids THC) and CBD may indirectly help regulate glucose metabolism. As such, raw cannabis plant extracts have the potential to treat and prevent type 2 diabetes.
CBD for diabetes
Although CBD and full spectrum whole plant cannabidiol oils have shown great promise in managing and possibly even treating diabetes, they cannot replace your diabetes medications if you are already taking them. . Your body is most likely used to the added insulin it needs to balance your blood sugar.
Nonetheless, research suggests that CBD oil can help you improve your gut health and shed those extra pounds that could potentially worsen diabetes; either because of insulin resistance or because the body is attacking its own insulin production.
Additionally, CBD can help reduce inflammation which can cause diabetes to develop and take root in your body, as well as many other medical conditions caused by inflammation, such as heart and blood vessel problems , pain and even cancer.
As such, there are several great reasons to lose weight, balance your diet, and supplement your daily activities with CBD oil. However, as always, we encourage you to speak to your GP where appropriate.
As such, there are several great reasons to lose weight, balance your diet, and supplement your daily activities with CBD oil. However, as always, we encourage you to speak to your GP if you are already taking medication for diabetes - or any other medical condition. This is because CBD can potentially interfere with other prescription medications . But even then, CBD oil is an all-natural and highly beneficial addition to a healthy lifestyle of good food, fun, and life without worrying about blood sugar.
