Cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabis compound, has been shown to confer notable medical benefits, including alleviating inflammation, enhancing cardiovascular health, reducing pain, and decreasing nausea. What’s more, it does not make you euphoric like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) does. Non-psychoactive CBD is a promising option for people suffering from seizures, pain, psychosis, anxiety, and inflammation.
A keto diet, on the other hand, describes a high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet that enables your body to create energy molecules called ketones. Your body uses ketones as an alternative source of energy when glucose is in deficit. Research has shown that CBD and ketogenic diet can benefit your health in countless ways. Let’s explore more about them.
About Ketogenic Diet
The ketogenic diet, also known as the keto diet, comprises little or no carbohydrates (5%), moderate amounts of protein (25%), and large amounts of fat (70%). Yes, you read it right – fat. In fact, fat is essential for your body and some forms of fat can even help reduce body weight, preclude inflammation, and decrease the risk of heart disease.
Glucose, in other words, sugar, acts as a fuel for your body. Your liver and muscles store this nutrient as glycogen. When you follow a ketogenic diet, you expose your body to minimal levels of glucose, and your body looks for another energy source.
Deficiency of blood glucose forces your body into a ketosis metabolic state. This metabolic state makes your body efficient in using stored fat as an energy source. Stored fat is taken from the cells and converted into ketones in the liver.
When a person gets into a ketogenic state, they experience loss of appetite, fatigue, reduced physical performance, increased energy, and high levels of blood ketones.
According to studies, the ketogenic diet may benefit people suffering from epilepsy, cancer, and Alzheimer’s.
About CBD
The trichomes in the cannabis plant manufacture cannabidiol (CBD) which is a secondary metabolite within the plant. Because of its broad range of beneficial effects, CBD has been used as a health supplement worldwide.
The compound binds to the vanilloid receptors and 5-HT1A serotonin receptors present in the human body. Additionally, CBD indirectly influences the receptors of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) primarily CB1 receptor and CB2 receptor. The cannabis derivative has been found to reduce inflammation, ameliorate mental state, and improve athletic recovery.
CBD and Ketogenic Diet Helps With Inflammation
Inflammation sets in when white blood cells in your body release chemicals into the tissues to defend the body against deleterious foreign substances. Inflammation can also take place due to autoimmune conditions, chronic disease, and injury. Symptoms that accompany inflammation are stiffness, pain, swelling, redness, and heat. According to numerous studies, CBD and ketogenic diet play important roles in reducing inflammation and may benefit sportsperson and people suffering from health conditions.
According to a study reported in the journal Epilepsia, the keto diet exhibits an anti-inflammatory effect by reducing peripheral edema and causing thermal nociception.
Further, cannabidiol has been shown to reduce inflammation associated with acute lung injury, collagen-induced arthritis, and colitis.
CBD and Ketogenic Diet Helps With Cancer
Cancer represents a collection of diseases that involve unusual growth of cells that metastasize to other body parts. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are common therapies for cancer.
Research has shown that the ketogenic diet can help treat malignant brain cancer effectively. According to the study researchers, normal brain cells can utilize ketone bodies and glucose as an energy source; however, brain tumor cells totally rely on glucose for their sustenance. Thus, a ketogenic state can deplete brain tumor cells of their energy supply.
