Medicinal hemp may affect various metabolic processes. Oftentimes, experts talk about potential interactions between CBD and cholesterol. Cannabidiol is usually presented as a substance that harmonizes internal processes, which is why it might also regulate cholesterol levels.
Although a common substance within our bodies, cholesterol needs to be within optimal levels. Otherwise, it may lead to some serious damage.
High cholesterol is often accredited to a poor lifestyle, and in particular, a bad diet. However, the change in cholesterol levels can simply occur due to aging and inactivity.
In this article, we will take a look at CBD and cholesterol and whether medicinal hemp can impact its levels. Enjoy!
What is cholesterol?
In most cases, you will hear people describe cholesterol as this nasty substance that reduces our life expectancy. But, this cannot be farther from the truth.
While the misbalance of this cholesterol can lead to certain issues, we cannot neglect its importance for the body’s natural functions. It creates various chemicals within the organism, and without these substances, we wouldn’t be able to survive.
This substance is continuously flowing through our bodies. When it attaches itself to protein, it is able to travel through the body and fulfill its function.
Unfortunately, when a person has high cholesterol, it will become stuck within arteries, slowly building plaque. As the arteries get clogged, a person can suffer from serious heart and brain conditions.
There are two main types of cholesterol: LDL and HDL.
LDL or low-density lipoprotein is often referred to as “bad cholesterol.” It is the main reason why our arteries get blocked.
On the other hand, HDL refers to high-density lipoprotein, which is good cholesterol. It can reduce the levels of LDL, thus preventing all these potential issues.
In order to protect your health, you need to constantly control cholesterol levels within your body.
The main reasons for high cholesterol
As already mentioned, increased levels of cholesterol are usually accredited to a poor lifestyle. Age, diabetes, smoking, inactivity, bad diet are the main things that will lead to this imbalance.
While each of these causes is troublesome in its own regard, we need to avert attention to smoking. Not only does smoking increase cholesterol, but it also has a negative effect on your blood vessels, increasing the chances of stroke or heart attack.
A lot of people are suffering from high cholesterol caused by a bad diet. In fact, if you’re eating a lot of unhealthy fats, you will likely increase your LDL above its normal levels at one point or another.
The good thing about cholesterol is that this is one of those issues that can be addressed by changing your lifestyle. Regular excesses and a better diet are usually enough to restore the body to its previous state.
CBD and Cholesterol: Does CBD affect it?
Hemp companies love to present CBD as a substance that can treat almost anything. The truth of the matter is that there is only one hemp-based substance on the market, and that’s Epidiolex, which is used for specific types of epilepsy in children. In other words, there is no conclusive evidence that cannabidiol can be used for any other ailment.
Interestingly enough, treatment of high cholesterol was one of the first things scientists considered when they started researching the potential medical properties of CBD. Based on a limited number of studies, cannabidiol might have a positive impact on people who are suffering from this issue.
According to them, CBD might have a positive impact on heart health and overall metabolism. Unfortunately, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it will directly lower cholesterol; it just means that it might assist with symptoms and consequences of high cholesterol.
Nevertheless, CBD might have a secondary impact on the body.
How does CBD improve the body?
We don’t fully understand CBD’s underlying mechanisms. We believe that cannabidiol, and other cannabinoids, are able to interact with the endocannabinoid system, which can be found in both humans and animals. This system is responsible for functions such as sleep, mood, pain, protection, etc.
One of the reasons why CBD might affect cholesterol is because the endocannabinoid system is able to regulate energy. In other words, you might feel invigorated and compelled to burn that energy through walking, exercising, and other activities. It might also affect our hunger; loss of appetite is often mentioned as a side effect of using cannabidiol.
All in all, the general presumption is that CBD, as a wellness substance, will be able to restore previous functionality to your body. Although it cannot burn calories or fats by itself, nor can it pull you out of the house, it might help you with other processes that would in some other way improve your metabolism.
CBD and cholesterol: How to choose it?
If we presume that CBD affects cholesterol by improving overall health and wellbeing then, you might use any substance that works by increasing energy, appetite and harmonizes internal functions.
Here are some tips that will help you find a high-quality CBD product:
- Make sure to purchase from reputable sources. Good companies usually have a large variety of products, and they also disclose third-party lab results on their websites.
- It is much better to use organic products. Focus on items that don’t rely on pesticides and other harmful substances.
- Check the other ingredients. Does a product have some essential oils that would negatively affect your body and, in particular, cholesterol levels? If the answer is yes, you should avoid them.
With these simple tips, you might be able to find the right CBD item for high cholesterol. Keep in mind that you should still change your habits, as this is the best way to address the issue. In the end, cannabidiol will not remove the cholesterol; it might just help your metabolism cope and work faster.