I first read about CBD being used for weight loss while reading an article in Medical News Today. I will include the link just in case you’d like to read their full article.
I was fascinated by recent developments and studies on all the ways CBD impacts weight. While THC is known to be an appetite enhancer, CBD oil is its counterpart.
Researchers of CBD for weight loss also claim that it can convert white, or “bad,” fat into brown fat, which may help the body burn extra calories- naturally!
White fat may also increase the risk of many chronic conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes. Shocked? Well, a study from 2016 helps back up this claim. The researchers found that CBD plays multiple roles in how the body interacts with fat. Multiple!!!
Not only did CBD help convert white fat cells into brown fat cells, but it also stimulated the body to break down fats more efficiently. I like the sound of that!
The researchers note that CBD may be a promising therapy for preventing obesity, but more studies in humans are necessary.
Read on to Learn More
I will go over two solid reasons to add CBD to your daily regimen. CBD is NOT a miracle drug, anybody who claims CBD or any supplement can make you lose weight (healthfully), is only after your wallet.
1. Suppresses Appetite- Thank YOU!!
There isn’t a single appetite suppressant sold that doesn’t come with an unpleasant side effect. If you have a few bottles lying around, check the ingredient list for any of these great gems.. Synephrine-Reported side effects of synephrine include increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and anxiety. That sounds like fun.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)-Taking CLA may result in unpleasant side effects, such as diarrhea and gas. Supplementing long term may even cause serious complications, such as liver damage and increased inflammation. I don’t know about you but any pill that can cause me to shart myself during a meeting is a “no-go”.
Garcinia cambogia is one of the most popular and most heard of ingredients. But.. consuming garcinia Cambogia may lead to side effects in some people, such as headaches, diarrhea, nausea, irritability, and even liver failure in extreme cases. I’ll Pass.
Now, onto CBD.. How does it work to suppress hunger?
Cannabinoid receptors (CB) regulate thermogenesis, food intake, and inflammation. CB1 ablation or inhibition helps reducing body weight and food intake. Stimulation of CB2 limits inflammation and promotes anti-obesity effects by reducing food intake and weight gain. Its genetic ablation results in adiposity development. CB receptors are also responsible for transforming white adipose tissue towards beige or brown adipocytes, therefore their modulation can be considered a potential anti-obesity target. CB1 principal localization in central nervous system represents an important limit. Stimulation of CB2, principally localized on peripheral cells instead, should facilitate the anti-obesity effects without exerting remarkable psychotropic activity. (1) That is the nerdy version but it’s better than me trying to break it down for you. Trust me.
2. Brown Fat (huh?)
Sound gross. I had to look this one up for myself. What is the difference between white and brown fat? Here is what the scientist says, “Adipose tissue is composed of three types of cells. White adipocytes are involved in fat storage and secretion of hormones. Brown adipocytes are involved in thermogenesis and caloric expenditure. Beige adipocytes are transitional adipocytes that in response to various stimuli can turn from white to brown and could be protective against obesity, enhancing energy expenditure. The conversion of white in beige adipose tissue is a potential new therapeutic target for obesity. Adipose tissue depots are commonly distinguished in white and brown adipose tissue according to their appearance. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is characterized by small lipid droplets and a high density of mitochondria which leads to a brown appearance. White adipose tissue (WAT) cells show a unilocular lipid droplet. The morphologic differences reflect different functions. BAT is involved in thermogenesis and caloric expenditure during resting and exercise by the mitochondrial uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1), which uncouples oxidative phosphorylation from ATP production [2]. WAT is involved in fat storage and the endocrine secretion of hormones. In response to various stimuli, UCP1-expressing multilocular adipocytes develop in WAT. These are beige or bright adipocytes and their induction or recruitment, together with the activation of BAT, could be protective against obesity [3] enhancing body energy expenditure. Several activators have been associated with WAT browning, namely cold, exercise, thyroid hormones, catecholamines, capsaicin, etc. The conversion of WAT in beige adipose tissue is a potential new therapeutic target for obesity. It might increase the resting energy expenditure improving the energy balance.” [1,2,3]
That was a lot to “digest” but it makes sense. Basically, BAT activity has the potential to significantly influence body weight, glucose, and lipid metabolism- white fat-BAD, brown fat-GOOD.
Not enough science for you? Have at it.. here is the link to the National Library of Medicine.. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6163475/
References:
[1] Rossi, F., Punzo, F., Umano, G. R., Argenziano, M., & Miraglia Del Giudice, E. (2018). Role of Cannabinoids in Obesity. International journal of molecular sciences, 19(9), 2690.
[2] Perwitz N., Wenzel J., Wagner I., Buning J., Drenckhan M., Zarse K., Ristow M., Lilienthal W., Lehnert H., Klein J. Cannabinoid type 1 receptor blockade induces transdifferentiation towards a brown fat phenotype in white adipocytes. Diabetes Obes. Metab. 2010;12:158–166. doi: 10.1111/j.1463-1326.2009.01133.x. [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
[3] Bartelt A., Heeren J. Adipose tissue browning and metabolic health. Nat. Rev. Endocrinol. 2014;10:24–36. doi: 10.1038/nrendo.2013.204. [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
Iffland, K., & Grotenhermen, F. (2017). An Update on Safety and Side Effects of Cannabidiol: A Review of Clinical Data and Relevant Animal Studies. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 2(1), 139–154.
