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- Jul 28, 2023
- 2 min read

How to Support a Healthy and Balanced Life

Updated: Aug 14, 2023

Living with a chronic illness can be a stressful and tiresome ordeal. Constant management, planning ahead, and the unpredictability of symptoms can make a full and adventurous life a difficult task. Fortunately research shows that along with a healthy diet, regular sleep and exercise, and the use of CBD and/or other cannabinoids, these symptoms can be reduced. In some cases disease may be put into remission with the individual able to experience life symptom-free. This month we will focus on three major diseases and how by bringing bodily functions into a balanced state we can improve our overall health.

DIABETES, CHOLESTEROL AND BLOOD PRESSURE

In 2022, the CDC reported that 11.3% of the US population has diabetes with 38% of the population over 18 being prediabetic. In addition to this, 2 in 5 adults have high cholesterol and 47% of the adult population has hypertension also known as high blood pressure. While maintaining a healthy diet and daily exercise as well as regular sleep are the best methods for preventing or treating these diseases, the use of CBD to reduce symptoms has shown promising results. In 2006, CBD was shown to lower the occurrence of diabetes in lab rats and in 2015 an Israeli-American biopharmaceutical collective began trials using CBD to treat diabetes. This research shows that CBD helps the body to convert white fat into weight-reducing brown fat cells. This process promotes normal insulin production and sugar metabolism. In addition to this, a 2013 study found that current cannabis users had higher levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) or “good cholesterol” while simultaneously having lower levels of LDL-C or “bad cholesterol”.

Genetics play a large role in the onset of diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, but lifestyle and environmental factors can also lead to these diseases. Knowing which foods to avoid such as sugary beverages or processed meats is one of the best methods of prevention. It’s also worth noting which foods to add to your diet such as vegetables, whole grains, fruits, and lean meats. It can be extremely difficult to make large changes in your lifestyle and that is okay! Making a list of all the things you want to eliminate or incorporate is a great start. After you’ve done this, just focus on one or two points to carry into the upcoming week. The road to developing new and healthy habits can seem like a long uphill battle but by breaking your goal into smaller pieces you will be amazed at what you can accomplish at a slow but focused pace.

THE TAKEAWAY

While the most tested methods for managing these diseases are characteristics of a healthy lifestyle, the research continues to support the addition of CBD or other cannabinoids to aid those afflicted with diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. CBD has also been shown to exhibit properties that help prevent or delay the development of diseases such as these. It is always recommended that if you or someone you know is interested in using CBD to manage these ailments that you consult with your doctor beforehand.