Is CBD a New Method for Controlling Abnormal Levels of Cholesterol?
Did you know that about 102 million American adults suffer from high cholesterol, meaning that it’s an epidemic in this country. As you probably already know, high cholesterol can lead to a wide range of serious complications, several of which can be deadly. Therefore, it’s extremely important that high cholesterol is properly diagnosed and treated in order to save lives.
While there are several cholesterol medications out there today, many people are discovering that they prefer a more natural and holistic approach to treating this condition. Now, research shows that cannabidiol (CBD) – cannabinoid that’s derived from the hemp plant, might be able to help regulate a person’s cholesterol levels so that they may live a healthier life.
What Defines Having High Cholesterol?
High cholesterol is a condition in which there is too much cholesterol in the bloodstream. Cholesterol is a lipid, and it’s a waxy and thick substance that the body produces in order to create healthy cells. When the bloodstream accumulates an excessive level of cholesterol, however, serious problems can occur. Because of the consistency of cholesterol, too many cholesterol deposits in the bloodstream can interfere with blood flow, especially to and from the heart.
We naturally produce two different kinds of cholesterol, and one is considered “good” while the other is considered “bad”. There is high-density lipoprotein that’s easily metabolized by the liver. Then, there’s low-density lipoprotein that, rather than getting metabolized by the liver, builds up in the bloodstream. It’s low-density lipoprotein that’s abundant in those who have high cholesterol.
What Causes High Cholesterol?
High cholesterol has a wide range of causes and risk factors that can contribute to the development of the condition.
Typically, high cholesterol is associated with obesity, poor diet and poor lifestyle choices. Those who consume high amounts of trans fats, sugar, sodium and alcohol are believed to be at a higher risk of developing high cholesterol later in life.
Additionally, stress can lead to high cholesterol because of the way in which cortisol, the hormone that’s released during moments of stress, alters the way in which the bloodstream accumulates cholesterol. Similarly, high levels of bodily inflammation can cause a person to develop high cholesterol due to cytokines in the blood.
Smoking is another major contributor. Smoking damages the cardiovascular system which prevents the body from properly metabolizing cholesterol. Lastly, a lack of exercise can contribute to high cholesterol as the body requires exercise in order to oxygenate the blood.
What are the Risks Associated with High Cholesterol?
High cholesterol can lead to a range of other ailments, but the two notable ones are heart disease and stroke. If the bloodstream contains large deposits of cholesterol, the flow of blood is interrupted. This can either interfere with blood flow to and from the heart or lead to blood clots that can cause a stroke to occur. Both of these conditions have high mortality rates.
What are the Symptoms of High Cholesterol?
High cholesterol is known as a silent killer because many sufferers are asymptomatic until it’s severe. Symptoms of high cholesterol include:
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
- Slurred speech
- Pain in the legs
Despite the fact that its symptoms are hard to detect, cholesterol problems can be easily determined by a blood test ordered by your doctor.
How is High Cholesterol Treated?
High cholesterol can be cured if it’s caught early enough and if certain changes are made. And so, high cholesterol is typically treated with drugs such as statins that change the way in which the body processes cholesterol. These are prescription drugs that can be quite helpful, although one has to be careful as they are known for side effects like dizziness, fatigue, headaches and drowsiness.
In addition to prescribing medications, a doctor will likely suggest a range of lifestyle and dietary changes in order to prevent cholesterol from getting more excessive, and possibly to reverse some of the damage. The doctor will likely recommend that the patient consume a healthier diet, begin an exercise routine, lose weight, stop smoking and reduce stress as needed.
Can CBD Help a Person Lower Their Cholesterol? CBD’s Potential Effects on Cholesterol, According to Research
Researchers believe that CBD may be able to help lower a person’s “bad” cholesterol due to the unique way in which this compound interacts with the body.
One study found that CBD might be able to convert “bad” cholesterol into “good” cholesterol by changing the way in which it is metabolized by the liver. Additionally, researchers have found that CBD might be able to help with many of the other factors that can contribute to high cholesterol.
For instance, a team of researchers found that CBD seems to regulate blood pressure, which can help the cardiovascular system improve in functionality in order to prevent excessive cholesterol from developing.
As we said earlier, there seems to be a strong link between high stress levels and high cholesterol due to the way in which cortisol builds in the bloodstream. Well, several studies have shown that CBD has the potential to dramatically reduce stress levels by controlling the amount of cortisol that can be released.
Cholesterol and the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
There is an even more fascinating aspect to cannabidiol that we haven’t yet discussed, and that is its relationship with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The human body has an endocannabinoid system that regulates every bodily process so that the body can function properly, resulting in homeostasis. The body produces cannabinoids that attach to cannabinoid receptors found everywhere throughout the body. This process allows regulation to occur.
The ECS works with receptors within the cardiovascular system in order to ensure that the system functions at its highest level. However, many of us don’t produce enough cannabinoids on our own. CBD is a plant-derived cannabinoid that can take its place.
How to Use CBD for Cholesterol Management
More people are turning to CBD in order to manage their health in a holistic way. Regardless, prior to starting a CBD regimen for high cholesterol, you must discuss it with your doctor/physician first. They’ve access to your medical history, and can therefore make a proper determination if cannabidiol is the right course of action to take in order to control your cholesterol level.
Now, let’s break down the things to know before attempting to manage your cholesterol with CBD.
- It is important that you know how to shop for CBD. Always look for companies that display their lab results on their website, like here at NAM Wellness. These lab results allow you to know for certain that you’re getting a pure, potent and high-quality product.
- With high cholesterol, you might need to take a relatively large dose daily. We suggest opting for NAM Wellness 1000mg CBD Oil. This dosage level seems to be potent enough to provide potential results. However, CBD is nontoxic, which means that you can feel comfortable increasing your dose over time as needed.
- With CBD, consistency is everything. In order for those cannabinoids to help the ECS do its job, you must take it daily in the same amount. This allows the CBD to accumulate in the body.