CBD & The Digestive System
Hippocrates said, “All disease begins in the gut”. It is as accurate now as it was when first written back in ancient Greece. If all disease begins in the gut, then all health starts in the gut as well. CBD Oil, has many benefits, particularly for gut health. If we focus on promoting digestive health, we will begin to heal far more than just the gut. Before we discuss CBD Oil, let us discover more about the importance of digestion in our overall health.
The Gut’s Important Role In Health
Our digestive tract, from mouth to anus, is a long hollow tube. The mucosal lining along this tube effectively protects us from anything harmful that may enter from outside. When our digestive system becomes inflamed, this mucosal lining starts to grow permeable. When this happens, we develop a “leaky gut”. Think about a cracked bowl. Any soup you put in the bowl will begin to spill out. This is what occurs with a leaky gut. However, rather than soup, proteins, food particles, bacteria, fungi, parasites and waste begins to spill out into our bloodstream. The result? Systemic inflammation. This affects our wellness.
When our gut leaks these substances, our immune system becomes confused even if they are not harmful in origin. These substances do not belong in our blood, so our immune system does everything it can to protect us. The primary means of protection is inflammation. Inflammation is not entirely harmful, however chronic and out of context inflammation over long periods can lead to serious health risks. This means that an inflamed, or unhealthy digestive system, can result in other more severe health issues in any of our body systems. This is a brief intro to the relation between digestive health and immune function.
Conditions related to inflammation:
- Heart disease
- Chronic pain
- Allergies
- Neurological conditions
- Brain fog
- Cancer
- Arthritis
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Slower healing
- Autoimmune disease
How Does CBD Help In Healing Digestion issues?
An interesting observation which has been seen in many scientific studies, is that CBD may help all of the above conditions. This is likely related to CBD’s role in the Endocannabinoid System. By positively impacting the CB1 and CB2 receptors , CBD can benefit immune and nervous system functions. It is no surprise that CBD can also help harmonise our gastrointestinal system. Our guts will seal up by reducing inflammation and no longer leak dangerous substances into our bodies. Doctors are starting to see how CBD can improve and have positive affects on diseases.
CBD as a medicine.
For many years, CBD Oil, marijuana and cannabis have been used to treat various disorders, including digestive ones. CBD is one of the cannabinoids that is found in hemp plants along with THC. CBD Oil has had the THC removed so it does not have the psychoactive properties that cannabis has. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, are becoming a common problem in the modern world. Like our diets, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors have become more and more distant from our natural ancestral roots; so it is no surprise. Generally, scientific medicine’s approach to treating IBD is long term drugs, medicines, operations and harsh anti-inflammatory medication. Many people find natural solutions to these debilitating illnesses through diet, stress reduction and herbs and supplements. CBD Oil is proving to be a key player in symptom control and healing the source of the disease. CBD Oil can help IBS.
IDS tends to be preceded by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is essential to address digestive symptoms before they develop into something more serious. IBS diagnosed by distressing symptoms like diarrhoea, constipation, gas, heartburn and nausea. CBD helps to calm and treat these symptoms. Natural therapies are relatively simple; however, they take great discipline. CBD is the right starting place but to truly heal our digestive systems; we recommend you to do more than take a few drops of hemp oil every day. There is evidence that along with healthy lifestyle choices and changes a dose of CBD oil everyday plays a significant role patients lives.
It Takes More Than Just CBD Oil…
Diet
Diet is one of the most significant and straightforward changes we can make in our lives to solve gastrointestinal disorders. There are many common foods in the usual British diet that aggravate the gut and create intestinal imbalance. Gluten is now becoming a buzz word because modern wheat has been hybridised to contain higher gluten content. Gluten is a protein found in wheat that is nearly impossible for our digestive system to break apart. As it enters our system, it can directly cause leaky gut syndrome. Traditionally, wheat would be soaked, sprouted and fermented to break down gluten and make it easier to digest. We have lost our ancient practices, and now gluten enters our body undigested. Removing wheat and gluten from our diets can have immediate and long-lasting positive impacts on digestion. It would help our dietary issues.
Dairy & Digestive Health
Dairy is another typical food that tends to be challenging to digest, especially lactose intolerant individuals. Modern dairy production practices require pasteurisation, which will alter the proteins in dairy, making them unidentifiable to our bodies. This results in allergies, bloating and swelling. Modern-day dairy cows have changed to boost milk production. This further detaches the dairy from its natural roots, making it more foreign to our bodies. Growth hormones are regularly given to cows and are passed into the dairy products of the cow. These growth hormones can negatively impact our hormonal systems, which throws off our body’s ability to communicate and regulate itself.
Meat
Many conventional meat products contain hormones and antibiotics. When we begin to consume antibiotic laden meats, then there are negative consequences to the balance of good-to-bad bacteria found in our digestive system. When there is an imbalance, we develop gut imbalances, which has profound implications. It is essential to consume high-quality meat products, that are free-range, organic and grass-fed. These products can be extremely helpful to digestion, especially in bone broths and organ meats.
Sugar
Avoid sugar. Sugars will feed harmful bacteria and spike blood sugar. Spiked blood sugars levels result in inflammation in the body. As we know, an inflamed gut results in painful symptoms.
Eat Organic
Numerous foods in the supermarket, even some organic items, contain pesticides and herbicides. These chemicals are designed to eradicate life on the outside of plants. When we eat those substances, they have similar effects on our bodies. The result is a gut imbalance. These elements are poisons, and so they will harm our bodies. It is essential to consume as many organic foods as possible, and ideally growing our own or buying directly from local farmers.
Fibre & Your Gut
Fibre is the food for our bacteria. Eating fibre-rich vegetables like sweet potatoes and green leafy vegetables is a fertiliser for our gut. Concentrate on these foods, and eat as diverse as you can. They will benefit your digestive health. Fibre absorbs water, so it is essential to drink more water when we consume fibre. Too much roughage can hurt a sensitive digestive system. If you are still healing, focus on cooked foods and soups before eating raw foods.
Water Is Essential for Your Gut
Drink high-quality water. Preferably spring water fresh from the source. Reverse osmosis water is good too. Just be sure to add minerals so they can be absorbed. Tap water contains chlorine which is added to kill harmful microorganisms. Consuming tap water will destroy the microorganisms in your digestive system.
Stress and Health
Stress is a significant factor in health. When we are stressed, we stop breathing and we squeeze our guts. This causes inflammation and digestive disorders. Practice deep breathing practices, get adequate sleep and try exercise practices like yoga or running. Get out in nature and breath fresh air. Remember to take time daily to do something you love and enjoy. Spend time with friends and family. These activities will relax us and maintain our mental health which affects our body health.
Supplements for Gut Health:
- Activated charcoal – This will bind to toxins in your digestive tract, it is beneficial if you consume foods that you know may trigger uncomfortable symptoms. It will help reduce gas and diarrhoea.
- L-Glutamine – Is an amino acid that is vital for building soft tissue. It will repair your mucus lining, and heal the leaky gut. Eat between meals, on an empty stomach.
- Collagen Powder – This is the main protein found in bone broth. It helps to heal leaky gut and is an easier way to get bone broth benefits. Add to soups or drink as a tea.
- Coconut oil – This oil is very healing. Mostly used topically to treat sunburns. It will have a similar effect on an inflamed digestive system. It also contains anti-fungal compounds and will help balance your gut bacteria. Very easy to digest as a source of energy. Start slow, and consume with every meal
- Omega-3 fish oils.– Krill oil is the best. This will help to reduce inflammation throughout the body.
- Magnesium Glycinate – Magnesium is an essential mineral that is frequently lacking in the modern diet. It is necessary for hundreds of enzymatic reactions in the body and will benefit overall health. It is perfect for balancing gut motility and bowel movements.
- Chinese Liquorice Root – Very soothing for painful digestion and will help to repair leaky gut. Eat before meals.
- CBD oil – Needless to say, a CBD product is very beneficial for digestive health.
Balance Is Key…
Remember to be kind to yourself. Start slow, and go bit by bit. Becoming obsessive about health and diet can become a disease in and of itself. It is okay to “cheat” every once and awhile. It will keep us more relaxed and at ease and maintain a healthy relationship with our minds. When we see foods, such as gluten or cheese, as the enemy, then that is what they become. Thoughts are powerful so keep you mind and body healthy. Maintain a healthy relationship with food by supporting your own choices.
Although clinical study and CBD Oil is an ongoing process, the benefits of using CBD for not just digestive issues is showing amazing potential. CBD can support many healthy lifestyle choices. The science is there it researchers to further delve into the fascinating world of CBD. Caligold is at the forefront of high-quality CBD products, to find out more about us click here.
