CBD for Diabetes: Do Not Let the Sugar Sour Your Life

Diabetes is a group of diseases whose root cause is some defect with the insulin hormone. This defect affects the way sugar becomes energy. The pancreas to turn glucose into well-needed energy produces insulin. 

There are four types of diabetes, classed according to their causes and insulin behavior. Type 1 is where by little to no insulin is produced. The result is too much sugar in the blood. Type 2 is whereby insulin is produced but the body does not use it, as it should. This then causes the blood sugar to rise just like in Type 1. Gestational diabetes is caused by drastic hormone changes, which lead to production of insufficient insulin. The last type is secondary diabetes, which is brought about by other medical conditions like cystic fibrosis. Another condition does not amount to diabetes but is a major risk factor. Impaired Glucose Tolerance is a high blood sugar that has not graduated to diabetes yet. This might eventually lead to diabetes. In fact, it is also called pre-diabetes. 

How Do You Know?

Symptoms of this condition can easily be ignored. The first is excessive hunger and fatigue. Since sugar is just sitting in the system and not getting converted into energy, ne will feel worn out. Frequent urination is a major symptom. What happens when you eat too much cake or sweets? You urinate more and experience more thirst, right? This same thing happens when blood sugar rises. Due to dehydration, the body will be devoid of moisture thus a dry mouth and itchy skin. The same also leads to swelling of the eye lenses. Consequently, one experiences blurred vision. 

Additional Baggage

Obesity especially paired with old age and a sedentary lifestyle will put one at a high risk for diabetes. If a sister, brother, or parent is a diagnosed diabetic, one must make it a point to be tested. Diabetes is a hereditary condition. 

Diabetic neuropathy is damage to the nerves due to diabetes. It is thought to be caused by a combination of factors. Exposure to high sugar levels weakens the capillaries, which supply nerves with oxygen and nutrients. As a result, an interference with transmission of signals occurs. This will usually cause loss of sensations. One will be unable to feel injuries in the legs, especially. Some injuries also take time to heal and in the process be infected. Most diabetics lack sensation in their lower extremities and have tissue damage which leads to amputation. 

It is imperative that one observe due care by keeping weight at an optimum level, take all  the necessary medications, exercise, perform foot care and other care guidelines. With all these complications and side effects, fatality is imminent. One must do everything humanly possible to ensure things stay at a manageable level.

CBD Intervention

Cannabidiol has so far proved to be quite versatile. With its potency against chronic pain among other uses, it is only prudent to look into how CBD can be used to help improve a diabetes situation. Two aspects of diabetes need addressing. The malfunction itself and the bank of complications that comes with it. A study by a research scientist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found presence of endocannabinoid receptors in the pancreas. Particularly, the islet cells. Of more interest is the role of these cells in production of insulin. This is not to say that the endocannabinoid system is responsible for production of insulin. It is however crucial in the process. This is good news for type 1 diabetics. CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, which help combat the buildup of sugar in the blood. This works towards improving the glucose metabolism in the body, which is helpful for type 2 diabetics too. 

CBD on Insulin Production

Diabetes is synonymous with abnormal fasting insulin levels, insulin resistance, and low High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol. The latter is a well-behaving cholesterol that keeps the bad cholesterol in check. In 2013, American Journal of Medicine documented 16% lower fasting insulin levels and 17% lower insulin resistance in cannabis users. It was also seen that the level of HDL-C was higher in this group. Another study also found that major players in the production of insulin were protected from damage by the presence of CBD. 

Management of Side Effects

1. Nerve Damage

Neuropathy as a side effect of diabetes is a major concern. In 2009, a study of rats with diabetic neuropathy revealed that CBD protected the liver from oxidative stress. This is believed to be the biggest cause of diabetic neuropathy. It has been found that upon administration of CBD dead tissue is 30% smaller. 

2. Eye Problems

Retinopathy is a condition that causes 12% of the new blindness cases. About 80% of diabetics have this condition. It is a breakdown of the retinal cells. In 2006, a study in the American Journal of Pathology showed the potency of CBD against retinal death. It also reduced the breakdown of blood-retinal barrier. 

3. Slow Healing Wounds

Due to nutritional deficits and nerve damage, injuries take longer to heal in diabetics. This opens up a whole new complex issue with respect to infections. CBD has long since been known to speed up the healing process of wounds. This will ensure a diabetic does not suffer severe infections from injuries. 

4. Overweight

Obesity is a major risk factor in diabetes. It is much harder to lose weight for a diabetic because of the high cholesterol in their bodies. In 203, a study associated cannabis users with smaller waists. Another study in 2012 on obese rats observed that the weight was lost pretty quickly. CBD affects the food desiring parts of the brain. It inspires feelings of satiety. This helps keep other possible conditions like high blood pressure at bay. 

5. Mental and Psychological Health

Diabetes is a lifetime disease. It can bring about depression and suicidal thoughts. CBD will stimulate production of feel good hormones through the endocannabinoid receptors. One will experience a general feeling of wellness. 

Reports by the Masses

Personal testimonials on the use of CBD for diabetics have encouraged more people to use it. Doctors have reported witnessing drastic improvements in both the hemoglobin A1C and side effects. In fact, most people are giving up their side effect management therapies for CBD. After a while, most patients have reported needing a downward adjustment of their insulin prescriptions. 

CBD Products for Diabetes

1. Paste

This is said to be higher concentrated than most CBD products. For this reason, it is advised that one take it in small quantities. It is in pure form and comes in easy to use packaging. It is also among the most expensive CBD products. 

It can be taken sublingually. This is delivery through the capillaries under the tongue. A drop or two left to absorb into the blood circulation system for a few seconds will work great. It can also be used in recipes.

2. Oil

This product comes in varied concentrations. One should choose a CBD percentage with a view to the intended use, mode of delivery and familiarity to CBD. It can be used sublingually. However, you might want to swallow the residue with some water, as the taste of CBD oil can be unappealing. To arrest this problem, one can get flavored CBD oil. The oil can also be infused in beverages and food. One can rub a little oil on the temples for relief from a headache and a good night sleep. 

Before committing to one particular brand, one must check on the extraction method. Use of butane gas to extract pure CBD for marijuana makes for a cheaper product. This is however incredibly poisonous to the body. One should go for CO₂ extraction. It is the safest method. 

3. Diet

Diabetics are advised to eat something every five hours. It is advised that one eat smaller meals that are more frequent. This keeps the body from overworking to metabolize the food and keep a steady flow of energy. Infusing the food and snacks with CBD only makes it better. It is a mild way for CBD newbies to enjoy the benefits for this wonder plant. This method of delivery is perfect for the many ways in which it can be achieved. 

4. Capsules

The very best thing about capsules and pills is the variety of concentrations and convenience. One can choose a concentration of their preference. If adjustment is necessary, it will not be a shot in the dark but properly measured.

5. Vaping

This is a version of smoking that produces no smoke or tar. It has been said to be completely safe. There are varied flavors of CBD oils in the market for vape enthusiasts. This method is not suitable for one who has neither vaped nor used CBD before. It does not allow for calculated adjustments of dosage. 

Exhaust All Relief Avenues for Diabetics

400 Million people in the world suffer from diabetes. About 5 million deaths every year are as a result of diabetes. The research into CBD for management of diabetes is scanty. More needs to be done so that CBD can enter the list of approved remedies for diabetes management therapies. Maybe even funding to look into a cure for diabetes through CBD. 

The story of CBD against diabetes is one worth telling. This will go a long way towards decreasing the number of amputations and better quality of life for diabetics in advanced stages.