Endocannabinoids – Part 2
Friends:
The ECS (Endocannabinoid System) is essential for life, though ironically, our understanding and the explosion of world-wide active research, is relatively new when compared with our study of other physiological systems.
As we age, deal with stress , have the desire for a more active life , the seeking of greater bodily and mental comfort, finding ways to better defy aging and heal faster, fight killer and chronic diseases, the role of the ECS, and having a lifestyle strategy for its support, is a major personal cornerstone for more optimal health and disease prevention.
Before explaining CBD, that can supply plant counterparts to our endogenous cannabinoids, there are the very simple fundamentals that actually have the most profound impact building the platform of overall health and optimize the functional capabilities of our ECS.
What can this possibly be?
Well, so simple, its ordinary and familiar–it comes down to good quality, adequate sleep, plenty of stress-reducing exercise, especially resistance training, a natural based diet profusely rich with fruits, vegetables, herbs , spices, smart fats and lipids, keeping yourself inspired and happy–seems like this fits most health strategies and for good reason!.
What is CBD (Cannabidiol Hemp Oil)?
Within the swiftly growing cannabis oil industry is a new category of products seeing its own equally rapid rise in popularity: cannabidiol hemp oil, or CBD hemp oil.
CBD hemp oil is made from high-CBD, low-THC hemp, unlike medical marijuana products, which are usually made from plants with high concentrations of psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
What is in cannabidiol?
“Cannabidiol (CBD) is a phytocannabinoid discovered in 1940. It is one of some 113 identified cannabinoids in cannabis plants and accounts for up to 40% of the plant’s extract. ”
Because hemp naturally contains only trace amounts of THC, which is actually considered essential for its optimal effect and activity, these hemp oil products in normal or even large dosages for most people are non-psychoactive, while still offering significant health benefits that are found to include the potential in effectively treating refractory epilepsy and antineoplastic activity.
How is it metabolized?
THC and CBD are metabolized in the liver by a number of cytochrome P450 isoenzymes, including CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4. They may be stored for as long as four weeks in the fatty tissues from which they are slowly released at sub-therapeutic levels back into the blood stream and metabolized via the renal and biliary systems. The main primary metabolite of CBD is 7-hydroxy-cannabidiol.
What are the forms of CBD and ways of administration?
CBD-based products come in many forms. Some can be mixed into different foods or drinks or taken with a pipette or dropper.
Others are available in capsules or as a thick paste to be massaged or applied for transdermal delivery on to the skin. Some products are available as sprays to be administered under the tongue.
There are natural full spectrum forms of CBD and now synthetic which may be more vulnerable to regulatory issues than full spectrum. Also, full spectrum has hundreds of different forms of CBD analogs found naturally in hemp in which scientists are just beginning to understand its various roles in influencing health engendering gene expression.
Recommended dosages can vary greatly between individuals, depend on factors such as body weight, as well as the concentration and quality of the specific CBD product.
Interestingly, what foods help support ECS?
Some foods can actually boost anandamide levels, and some foods can slow down the degradation of cannabinoids by the FAAH enzyme that degrades it. Here is an interesting list of just a few:
Pure Dark Chocolate affects the anandamide levels in two ways: First, it increases and sensitizes the number of available endocannabinoid receptors that can be triggered by anandamide and, second, it diminishes levels of FAAH enzyme that destroys it. Perhaps that is why chocolate cravings become more pronounced with some women during their monthly menstrual cycles!
Black Truffles Different from chocolate, which influences the ECS in more subtle and indirect ways, black truffles actually contain small amounts the anandamide compound, and when eaten, they directly increase the levels of this endocannabinoid in the body.
Kaempferol This antioxidant phenolic compound is found in many fruits and vegetables, such as apples, grapes, onions, potatoes, tomatoes ,broccoli, coffee and beer from the hops. Besides being a powerful antioxidant and reducing oxidative stress, kaempferol also inhibits the synthetization of FAAH enzyme, thus prolonging the duration and effect of anandamide.
Omega 3 and Essential Fatty Acids Consuming these polyunsaturated fatty acids found as sources in fish oil, krill oil, hemp , flax seeds and for the essential fatty acid arachidonic from egg yolk, meats, various forms of algae, fish, butter, etc., has been shown to enhance the vigilance, synthesis, and steadiness of the ECS as well as being the substrates in the creation of cannabinoid compounds by our body.
What are some of the ingredients available from GCI Nutrients for product formulations addressing the ECS in helping to support its health and vitality?
Key ones, but there are many more:
PEA (N-palmitylethanolamide)
Omega-3 Fish Oils
Hops
Broccoli Sprout Powder (and cruciferous vegetables in general)
Red Raspberry Powder
Black Pepper
Green and Black Tea
Rhodiola
Kava Kava
Tumeric
Cinnamon
MCT Oil
Algal actives
As a general summary recommendation, supplementation should be secondary to a broad and healthy consumption and food sources of natural oils, lipids, fatty acids, spices, herbs, and for optimal health, a central focus and emphasis on primarily a plant-based diet.