Diabetes is a serious disease that affects millions of people. Unfortunately, type 2 diabetes is becoming more prevalent. In addition to this, there are millions of people who are prediabetic. This means they have high blood sugar and have a much greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes in the near future. There has been much research about diabetes, but scientists have not found a cure for this disease. They have learned that the best ways to treat diabetes is through diet, exercise, and insulin.
However, there are many different ways to supplement this regimen so that diabetics can live a healthy long life free of complications. This is where cannabidiol oil comes in. New and exciting research is showing that CBD Oil can be used to help diabetics manage their disease. Let’s learn more about diabetes, CBD oil, and how it can be used to treat this serious disease.
What is Diabetes?
There are two main types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is a genetic condition that cannot be controlled through diet or exercise. Those with type 1 diabetes have a pancreas that does not produce insulin. They need insulin shots to keep their blood sugar regulated.
Type 2 diabetes can be genetic but its development is influenced by diet and lifestyle. Those with type 2 diabetes are often overweight, eat an unhealthy diet, and are sedentary. All of these factors combine to produce high blood sugar levels at all times. This causes the body to be resistant to insulin, which keeps food from being properly processed as energy. Those with type 2 diabetes do not necessarily need insulin to help control their condition. They are encouraged to eat a fairly strict diet and exercise often in order to help control blood sugar levels.
Both types of diabetes are very serious. They can lead to numbness in extremities, loss of limbs, heart disease, blindness, kidney problems, and even death. Therefore, controlling the symptoms of diabetes is very important.
What is CBD Oil?
Cannabidiol oil is a type of oil found in both cannabis and hemp plants. This oil is often associated with marijuana. However, marijuana contains THC which is what causes people to experience a “high.” This means CBD can be used for medicinal purposes, just like marijuana, but without the side effects. CBD oil can be ingested, vaped, or mixed with other ingredients and rubbed on the skin in gel or lotion form. CBD oil is growing in popularity because of its many different uses. It can be used to help relieve anxiety, induce sleep, and help with pain management. One of its newest uses is helping prevent and relieve the symptoms of diabetes.
How CBD Oil can Help Diabetics
One of the best ways CBD oil can help with diabetes is to prevent its onset. Here are a few ways CBD oil can help those with prediabetes keep from developing full blown diabetes.
Decreases Insulin Resistance
One of the biggest precursors to type 2 diabetes is the body’s resistance to insulin. CBD can help increase the body’s reaction to insulin, so that blood sugar levels remain in a normal range. Those who use CBD also have lower fasting insulin rates, a significant indicator of insulin resistance. Scientists also believe that the decrease in inflammation caused by CBD helps the body respond better to insulin.
Reduces Inflammation
CBD oil works with your endocannabinoid system to regulate a variety of functions, including inflammation. Your endocannabinoid system has receptors throughout your body, including the pancreas. CBD can reduce inflammation in the pancreas, which is where insulin is produced. By reducing this inflammation, your body will be able to make insulin and respond better to it. Inflammation can also cause heart disease, a common side effect of type 2 diabetes. This means CBD oil can help those who have developed diabetes by managing insulin levels and preventing serious side effects like heart attacks and strokes.
Manages Weight
CBD has been shown over and over again to help with weight management. Having large fat deposits in the belly and a high BMI are two of the biggest risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes. Those who use CBD often have a smaller waist and lower BMI. There are a number of reasons for this. One, CBD can help suppress your appetite, keeping you from overeating. CBD also reduces inflammation in the body, which often leads to the body holding onto fat. Finally, CBD can help fat become more “brown,” which means it is easier for the body to use it for energy instead of storing it as calories.
While weight management is important for preventing diabetes, it is also important for those who have developed diabetes. One of the first tasks for those who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is to lose weight. This will help prevent more serious complications like heart disease and neuropathy.
For those who have already developed diabetes, CBD oil can also help manage secondary symptoms like neuropathy and skin conditions.
Helps with Neuropathy
Those with diabetes often struggle with pain and tingling in their feet and hands. This can lead to permanent nerve damage and eventually amputation. CBD oil can help prevent the pain from neuropathy, as well as prevent further nerve damage. CBD has also been shown to reduce infarcts, which is dead tissue caused by lack of blood flow. This can play a huge role in avoiding amputation in those with advanced cases of diabetes.
Speeds Healing of Skin Conditions
CBD oil has already been shown to help skin conditions, which is a common side effect of diabetes. CBD can reduce inflammation, pain, and itchiness. Since CBD oil can also moisturize the skin, it can reduce some of the more painful skin conditions caused by type 2 diabetes.
While more research needs to be done, there are exciting findings that indicate CBD can significantly help those who have diabetes. It’s very important for diabetic patients to control their weight, eat healthy foods, and regulate their blood sugar through insulin. However, CBD oil can help with many of these things. You can take CBD oil by ingesting it or placing a few drops under your tongue. Since CBD Oil is not regulated by the FDA there are no official dosing guides, so always make sure you consult with your doctor first and use the smallest dosage possible. When used with prescribed medication, CBD can play a huge role in helping manage your diabetes.
Ron Goedeke MD, BSc Hons MBChB, FNZCAM
Guest Author
Ron Goedeke MD, BSc Hons MBChB, FNZCAM
Dr. Ron Goedeke, specialises in alternative and functional medicine. With over 20 years of experience in the anti-aging field, Dr Ron Goedeke is recognized as one of New Zealand’s leaders in this new and growing field of medicine.
