2020 has put our health front and center! After almost a year of dealing with a global pandemic, most of us are considering how we can healthier. One aspect of health that is so important to our everyday functionality, is how well our guts are working. CBD appears to have a very interesting connection to the gut and is often used as a supplement for healthy gut function. Read on to understand CBD and gut health.
If you are an avid follower of our blog and social media, then you already know that many people are turning to CBD to improve their health. CBD is so versatile as it appears in many forms; oils, tinctures, capsules, lotions, gummies and various other ways of application or consumption.
Although research is still ongoing and much more needs to be done, it is believed that CBD has numerous benefits for the mind and body. So, can it really support a healthy gut? CBD and gut health is a hot topic that we are going to explore over the next 5 minutes.
Why is Gut Health so Important?
Our gut, which consists of the whole intestinal tract, is our body’s biggest line of defence. The gut protects the bloodstream from various toxins and irritants that end up in the digestive tract. You may be surprised to hear that our gut is also responsible for good mental health.
The gut has a direct line of communication to the brain. Most of the body’s serotonin (about 90%) is manufactured in the gut. The relationship between the gut and the brain appears to be partly controlled by the endocannabinoid system. This suggests CBD can play a role in maintaining good gut health.
So, a healthy gut is vitally important as it keeps undigested food particles and toxins out of the bloodstream. It isn’t simply there to help the digestion process, it also plays a role in regulating hormones, fighting viruses, regular cell regeneration, and more.
Also, your gut contains microbes, otherwise known as good and bad bacteria. Gut flora plays a vital role in our wellbeing.
How Can the Gut be Out of Balance?
Your whole body is in equilibrium when there is a healthy balance maintained between the good and bad bacteria in your gut. However, if the gut is injured or inflamed, it can leak toxins into your bloodstream. This is known as ‘intestinal permeability’ or ‘leaky gut syndrome’. When there are irritants or unknowns in your bloodstream, your immune system goes into combat mode and starts attacking. This results in symptoms that you want relief from.
These difficult symptoms can be constipation, diarrhea, and perhaps disruptions to gut motility. Basically, you feel unwell. So, a healthy gut means a healthy mind and body.
An imbalance in the gut microbiome can increase the likelihood of problems such as IBS, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease. Furthermore, bad bacteria can increase cholesterol levels in your body.
Also, an unhealthy gut can cause problems with kidney function. It can also result in autoimmune disorders such as thyroid problems, type 1 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. Plus, common health issues such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating and heartburn. It’s no wonder your gut needs special attention!
How Can CBD Support a Healthy Gut?
As there are CB1 and CB2 receptors throughout the gut, experts believe the endocannabinoid system is involved in gut health. Therefore, CBD may play an important role in both the structure and function of the gut.
The molecules produced by the human body to fight problems are similar to cannabinoids. CBD is known to give a boost to the body’s ECS, resulting in quicker and more effective action to any problem areas. For example, if there is inflammation in the body, CBD will enhance the ECS’s performance and reduce the inflammation faster than usual.
Research shows that the connection between the brain and gut may be partly operated by the ECS. As CBD influences the ECS, it is likely to have an influence in the gut.
Gut motility is what ensures effortless bowel movement. If motility is too slow, it can lead you to feel constipated, and if it’s too fast, then this leads to loose bowel movements. CBD can help in regulating your gut motility, helping your digestive system work perfectly.
As we already know, CBD appears to have an efficient inflammatory response. When your gut suffers from inflammation, it releases a compound called TNF-alpha. CBD can suppress the release of this compound and reduce gut inflammation.
If the gut leaks out toxins, your immune system begins to overwork itself. CBD can boost your immune system and help fight this leak.
The End
CBD is constantly surprising us! Hopefully as more research is conducted, we will fully understand why CBD works wonders on the body. It’s effectiveness in treating difficult health conditions remains the number one reason for people being enamoured by it.
As you have just read, it is important to pay attention to CBD and gut health. A healthy gut is so important for mental and physical health but there is no need to panic if you believe yours is out of balance. Try CBD to maintain an overall healthy lifestyle.
Leave a Reply