According to statistics, nearly seventy percent of the population are overweight or obese.
In addition to everyday inconveniences, being overweight is a precursor to health complications including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and dozens of other diseases. Unfortunately, these statistics continue to rise.
Many people struggle to lose weight. If you've tried this yourself, you'll likely agree. It's not easy.
Luckily, there is a potential solution to assist with common weight loss measures like dieting and exercise: CBD.
CBD, also known as cannabidiol, has a number of health benefits that may slow down weight gain and improve overall health.
CBD has been heralded as an all-natural supplement with anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory properties. But can it also help you with your weight loss goals?
The short answer is yes. Let's look at how it works.
How CBD Works
Cannabidiol is one of the compounds found in cannabis and hemp plants.
Because CBD does not contain THC, which is responsible for psychotropic effects, many people use this alternative medical treatment for a number of ailments.
When CBD comes in contact with the body's endocannabinoid system, it improves a number of bodily functions.
The body contains two main types of receptors: CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are mostly found in the central nervous system and the brain. The CB2 receptors are mostly found in the immune system.
Health experts believe overweight people have a higher number of the CB1 receptors, especially in their fatty tissue. They also believe that taking CBD helps regulate the receptors in the endocannabinoid system, making it easier to lose weight.
CBD and Weight Loss
Here are a number of ways cannabinoids may aid in weight loss.
1. CBD improves metabolic function
Many people have asked; can CBD boost metabolism? Let's find out.
The mitochondria are a major component of cell function. It's responsible for converting proteins, fats, and sugar into energy. When the mitochondria don't function properly, your body cannot lose weight at an efficient level.
Basically, the cells in overweight people cannot break down and convert the necessary energy from eaten food, resulting in excess weight.
The liver helps the body store leftover fat from the bloodstream for later use. The liver is also one of the organs with the largest amounts of mitochondria.
The mitochondria play a big role in the metabolic process, but they are small and need help functioning, especially when they're not working at their best. By triggering the endocannabinoid system, the mitochondria within the cell get a boost and balance metabolic function.
For instance, if your mitochondria aren't working hard enough, the ECS picks up the pace. If they're overworking, the ECS slows them down. If you're struggling with your weight, the ECS revs up the mitochondria's function, giving you more energy.
Adding CBD to your weight loss regimen allows you to burn stored fat at a faster rate.
2. CBD is an appetite suppressant
One of the easiest ways to lose weight is by eating less. Your rapid weight gain comes from eating too much with much less movement. With so much food at our disposal, we need more than self-control to eat less food.
That's where CBD comes in.
THC, another popular compound found in hemp and cannabis plants, is known to increase appetite. On the other hand, CBD reduces your appetite, making you consume less food.
When CBD interacts with CB receptors, they reduce inflammation and your desire to eat. When searching for a CBD oil, find one with trace amounts of THC, also known as CBD isolate. Products with other compounds increase your appetite, making them counterproductive.
CBD isolate products only extract the cannabidiol from hemp plants.
3. CBD corrects abnormal insulin levels
For some overweight people, following a diet and exercise routine works for a while. However, weight loss eventually plateaus.
Normally, foods with higher sugar and fat content produce a higher amount of energy within the bloodstream. This helps with weight loss when your metabolism works properly and combined with physical activity.
However, without enough physical activity, you don't burn enough energy. The excess sugars and fats are then stored in the bloodstream. This is dangerous, especially for overweight people. Higher blood sugar and fat content lead to conditions like heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes.
If you're regularly dieting and exercising and notice you aren't losing weight, there may be a problem with your insulin levels. Insulin is a hormone responsible for converting the sugar that travels through the pancreas into the cells to make energy.
Higher sugar consumption gradually increases insulin levels, which causes hyperinsulinemia.
Once insulin levels rise, diet and exercise won't automatically bring them down. When you take CBD, it works with your digestive organs to regulate the metabolic system.
For one, CBD curbs cravings, which slows sugar intake. Taking in less sugar makes the insulin levels gradually decline. Once when there's less insulin in your blood, it's easier to lose weight.
CBD works with the ECS to assist the liver in avoiding liver damage caused by metabolic syndrome. Over time, the fat accumulated that doesn't break down into energy causes liver failure.
CBD also assists with conditions associated with irritable bowel disease. These disorders lead to weight gain by increasing inflammation. By taking cannabidiol, you help keep inflammation levels at bay.
4. CBD converts bad fat
Another way CBD helps with weight loss is conversion. If you're overweight, you have an abundance of white fat cells. White fat stores energy in large droplets. You want more brown fat cells, which have an abundance of mitochondria.
Studies show that when CBD interacts with white fat cells, they convert them into brown fat cells, which helps you lose weight.
When white fat cells convert into brown fat cells, the function of the cell also changes. Instead of storing the fat and causing additional weight, brown fat cells are more active and use energy to burn fat as heat.
How to Use CBD
CBD affects your body differently depending on the form you choose.
For instance, you can take CBD oil orally, however, the benefits aren't immediately available. Oils dissolve in fats, so you can use CBD infused cooking oils and eat the benefits. You can also use a tincture, which you take sublingually. Oil taken sublingually will absorb into the bloodstream faster.
Another popular method is edible products such as CBD gummies. These take a little longer to absorb into your bloodstream but offer a convenient and delicious way to consume CBD.
Risks and Complications
CBD's overall effects on weight loss are constantly being researched.
However, the current findings suggest this compound is a positive addition to your healthcare regimen. CBD products vary in strength and dosage, so you'll have to experiment until you reach your desired results.
Keep in mind, CBD is not a replacement for healthy habits like a well-balanced diet and exercise. In fact, you may not see any benefits without changing old habits.
Consuming leafy greens, healthy fats, and lean meats are essential to maintaining a healthy weight. Health experts also recommend 150 minutes of exercise every week.
If you're taking medication, you should speak to a doctor prior to taking CBD. This compound interferes with some medications, so your doctor can prevent adverse reactions.
If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, you should also speak with your doctor before trying CBD. Since there isn't much evidence surrounding the effects it has on you or your unborn child, health experts recommend avoiding it. They can also recommend alternatives to help keep your symptoms at bay and help you lose weight while you breastfeed.
CBD has been found to have very few side effects and is considered a very safe compound. Some caution is still advised though, especially when taking a larger amount of CBD. CBD is an extremely beneficial supplement but is not intended to cure or treat specific medical conditions.
Since CBD is not a traditional medication, it's not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Therefore, be careful when purchasing your CBD products. Some companies misrepresent their CBD's quality benefits on their labels. Before you purchase anything, do adequate research to find a reputable brand.
Conclusion
CBD has great potential for aiding in weight loss, but it is important to find a reputable retailer before purchasing.
Eden's Herbals is a quality, lab-tested brand that's endorsed by large companies including Forbes. They offer a variety of THC-free and full-spectrum CBD products, whether you're looking for topical products, tinctures, or oils. This brand also offers daily promotions as well as free shipping. If you are interested in experiencing the many benefits of CBD, visit theirwebsitefor more information.
