How CBD can benefit weight loss
Trying to lose weight can be a daunting experience. You sign up for the gym, you try yoga and all healthy practices, but still, it is not working.
Luckily, you have not run out of options yet if you have not tried CBD oil.
Touted for its many health benefits ranging from treating chronic pain, cancer treatment symptoms to arthritis, research indicates that CBD can also help with weight loss.
But how?
In this post, we will show you what science has to say about CBD oil for weight loss and why you might want to incorporate this supplement in your weight loss routine.
First Things First, What Is CBD?
CBD, short for Cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring substance in the cannabis plant. The cannabis plant has at least another 100+ naturally occurring compounds (cannabinoids). THC is the other most popular cannabinoid in the cannabis plant.
However, while THC is psychoactive, CBD has no mind-altering effects. This means that CBD oil won’t get you high.
CBD and Weight Loss
According to experts, CBD may encourage weight loss by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) can be described as a system of receptors and is comprised of CB1 and CB2 receptors.
While CB2 receptors are distributed throughout the body, CB1 receptors exist mainly in the central nervous system and the brain.
Experts claim that in people with excessive weight, CB1 receptors become rapid and concentrated in fatty tissues. This is one of the reasons why experts link CB1 receptors with excessive weight gain.
The thing to note here is that while Cannabidiol does not work by activating the receptors, it impacts your body’s endocannabinoid system to either enable or block the receptors. This prompts the body’s critical metabolic functions, which may be related to weight loss.
What the Research Has To Say
- CBD May Boost Metabolism and Reduce Appetite
Numerous studies have shown that CBD may reduce appetite while boosting metabolism, and thus promoting weight loss.
According to some animal studies, CBD oil affects body weight by impacting both CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain and lymphoid tissue. These receptors play vital roles in food intake and metabolism.
In a 14-days study, rats were treated with CBD. The doses were administered depending on body weight. After the study period, it was discovered that CBD resulted in significant weight loss.
In another test, Cannabidiol resulted in significant loss of appetite in rats as compared to other cannabinoids such as Cannabinol and Cannabigerol.
Of course, more human studies are needed to support these claims.
- Turns ‘bad’ fat into ‘good’ fat
Research also shows that CBD may promote browning of fat cells.
These are usually two types of fat; brown and white.
While white fat stores and supplies your body with energy and insulate or cushion vital body organs, in excess, it can lead to chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
Brown fat, on the other hand, is known for burning excessive body calories. According to data, people with excessive weight tend to have less brown fat than their counterparts with a healthy weight.
There are many ways that you can use to promote the ‘browning’ of fat cells. These include regular exercise, adequate rest and sleep, and using the best CBD oil for weight loss.
In a particular test-tube study, it was discovered that not only did CBD promote browning of white fat cells but also boosted the expression of specific proteins and genes that promotes the expression of white fat cells.
- Reduces the Risk of Metabolic Disorders
As mentioned earlier, there is a close relationship between obesity and common metabolic disorders such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes.
Experts claim that excessive concentration of CB1 receptors in the fat tissues may lead to metabolic disorders and obesity.
CBD works by blocking the over-activation of CB1 receptors hence reducing the risk of excessive weight gain.
In a study involving obese rats, Cannabidiol was seen to reduce cholesterol levels by 25%.
Because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, CBD may also reduce sugar levels in the human body.
- Burns Fat
Another way that CBD can aid in weight loss is by burning excessive fats in the human body.
As explained earlier, CBD helps transform white fat cells into brown fat cells. Brown fat cells are considered as a healthier and more active form of fat. Brown fat cells work by burning off energy as heat. This means that they may aid in burning or breaking down calories.
Researchers, therefore, believe that by turning white fat cells into brown fat cells, Cannabidiol may aid in breaking down calories. We all know the importance of calories in weight loss.
Can I Use CBD Oil for Weight Loss?
Although preliminary findings show CBD as a potential remedy for obesity, it is crucial to note that just like any other drug or supplement, CBD is not a cure for obesity.
This means that although you can use these compounds, they are not intended to replace healthy living practices such as a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Using CBD for weight loss will probably not work if you do away with other healthy living practices. So the best way to use CBD is by incorporating it into your weight loss plan.
In the case of obesity, you might also want to consult your doctor since some instances of excessive weight gain may be a result of an underlying medical condition.
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