By Joseph Flanigan
More than 100 million U.S. adults are now living with diabetes or prediabetes, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than one in three American adults has prediabetes – a serious health condition that if not treated will often lead to Type 2 diabetes within 5 years. The report confirms that the rate of diabetes diagnoses remains steady. That is 84.1 million people that potentially could have a life-threatening disease, and most do not even know it. Diabetes continues to represent a growing health problem in this country, so I wanted to learn more.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease in the body that causes blood glucose or blood sugar levels to rise higher than normal. Type 1 diabetes is the body’s inability to produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form in which the body does not use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone made by beta cells in the pancreas that allows glucose (sugar) into the body’s tissues and be converted into energy in our cells. Glucose comes from foods we eat, specifically carbohydrate foods. If the pancreas is not able to produce enough insulin (deficiency) or if the body cannot use the insulin it produces (resistance) glucose builds up in the bloodstream. Hyperglycemia and Diabetes Mellitus can develop.
Type 1 diabetes was previously known as juvenile diabetes is the rarer of the 2 Types and affects about 5% of people living with the disease. Type 1 actually occurs at every age, in men and women of every race, and every shape or size. Type 2 diabetes used to be associated with older people, but now it accounts for approximately 90-95% of diabetic sufferers mainly afflicting African American, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian populations. One of the main causes of developing type 2 diabetes is being overweight, specifically around the waist. Symptoms can come on slowly so there are millions of people potentially undiagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
Most people with diabetes need to check their blood sugar (glucose) levels regularly. Using a small sharp needle called a lancet, they have to poke their finger and add a drop of blood on a test strip. Then the test strip is placed into a meter that shows the blood sugar level. Medications and Insulin can be used to raise or lower levels as needed. An A1C test is the primary test used for diabetes management. This is a test that provides information about your average blood sugar (glucose) levels over the last three months. A normal A1C level is below 5.7 percent.
Treatments for diabetes are centered around a healthy diet, exercise, prescription medications, checking blood glucose levels, and insulin injections. Diabetes patients can face complications with serious consequences such as illness, going blind, amputations, and even death. As type 2 diabetics develop the disease over time different medications may be needed to obtain proper glucose (sugar) levels. A lot of these medications have unpleasant and potentially dangerous side effects.
I would like to focus on one medication in particular. Brand names include: Glucophage XR, Gluemetza, and Riomet. The generic and most common name known for this medication is Metformin.
Metformin is a drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a prescription medication taken orally to treat diabetes. Usually taken with a meal this medication is used to decrease hepatic [liver] glucose production, to lower gastrointestinal glucose absorption and to improve target cell insulin sensitivity. This drug is used in adults with Type 2 diabetes as a treatment in conjunction with lifestyle changes like weight loss to improve glycemic (blood sugar) control. A major advantage of Metformin is it does not cause significant hypoglycemia and is not known to cause weight gain. Metformin can be used with “Add on” medications such as Farxiga. Many patients with Type 2 diabetes will eventually need to take insulin by injection. Some side effects of Metformin include unusual muscle pain caused by lactic acidosis, trouble breathing, stomach pain, and irregular heart rates. There is evidence that metformin, especially at high doses and for long periods of time, is associated with increased neurodegenerative diseases and dementia. Metformin comes in an immediate or extended release tablet and oral solution. Most diabetes patients start with 500mg every 12 hours and increase dosage over time.
While investigating CBD treatment for diabetes, I met a gentlemen named David Maldonado who was a family man that had this amazing personality. He was a super cool guy and presented himself as a local professional.
During our conversation I learned 40-year-old David Maldonado had been living with Type 2 diabetes for almost 20 years now. He recently discovered CBD oil and has experienced some eye-opening results.
David was born in Honolulu Hawaii to a military family and grew up in Albuquerque’s South Valley. At age 21, on a Friday, David went to see his doctor about “foot pain”, and “a dry tongue” that he had been dealing with for some time. He was sent home with penicillin and told to call back Monday. David remembers getting in the back to his parents car that day and lying down in the backseat. He woke up in the hospital with a blood sugar (glucose) reading of 1349mg/dl. Normal blood sugar levels are less than 140 mg/dl after eating. David had been in a coma, and many doctors came to see “the guy that lived with such a high blood sugar level.” That was when he found out that his life had changed forever because David’s hemoglobin in his blood had begun attacking his cells and had developed into Type 2 diabetes.
After learning to use insulin injections and medications such as Metformin, David went to culinary school to learn how to change his diet. He lost over 100lbs, exercised regularly, and lived a healthy lifestyle. Yet, David’s A1C levels never came in below 11 percent and sometimes as high as 14 percent. Remember, normal is around 5.7 percent depending on the individual. Always feeling “sluggish” and weary of other side effects from these traditional treatments, he asked his doctor about an alternative to the Metformin. He was told to try a smaller dosage. David’s dosage of Metformin was up to 2000mgs a day at this point with multiple insulin injections throughout the day. He described this as “maxed out on meds” and was searching for a change.
David is a NM Medical Cannabis patient and has used cannabis for some time. He has tried various cannabis products but had not considered substituting cannabis for traditional diabetes treatment. In August he and his wife attended Hempfest 2018 in Albuquerque. After talking with a few people at Hempfest about CBD oils he tried a free sample of a Full Spectrum CBD oil. Almost immediately David thought to himself “I have not felt this good in a long time”. So, after Hempfest David sought out and started using the same Full Spectrum CBD oil daily. Concurrently he was tapering down his Metformin to where he does not use the drug at all now.
David takes about 1000mg of Full Spectrum CBD oil once a day in the morning. After 30 days of CBD oil use, David’s A1C was down to 8.5 percent. Everyday he feels better than the day before. He claims food has taste again, smells are more vibrant, and his wife says his hair seems to be getting thicker. Most importantly to David is that he is no longer dealing with the side effects that the Metformin medication caused him. His blood sugar (glucose) is easier to maintain and he only has to use one type of insulin twice a day. He had to use 3 different types of insulin each twice a day before totaling 6 or more injections a day. David’s goal is to be at 6.4 percent by his next A1C test in a couple of months. That would be a number that has been unachievable for almost 20 years, until now. David feels that the CBD oil has changed his life and is “blown away by it.” Being able to enjoy a Diet Cherry Cola every now and again is amazing when before every carbonated beverage tasted like seltzer water with sugar to him. “ It is a little thing, but the little things do matter sometimes.”
With just one eyedropper of CBD oil a day, David seems to have reclaimed his life and turned a potentially fatal disease into something comfortably manageable. As an extra benefit or side effect of the CBD oil David feels that he is “more energetic,” and is “clearer minded” with better recall of memories. Life has started to feel easier for him now than before using the CBD oil. He still uses cannabis daily, but says the CBD effect is noticeably distinct.
David talks to people with diabetes whenever he can and shares his story. He believes that anyone living with diabetes should explore this relatively new option. Quality of life has changed from “night to day” for this man, and he wants people to know about it. Unfortunately, everything does come with a cost. David did inform me that his insurance does not cover CBD oil, so he does pay about $60 a month for the CBD oil treatments out of his own pocket. When I asked if this cost was a burden David said “It is worth it” and a small price to pay to not feel bounced around with different medications. David said he now feels “an overall inner health” from using the CBD oil and will continue to do so well into the future.
What is CBD?
CBD or Cannabidiol is an active chemical compound that is found naturally in the cannabis plant. More specifically the Hemp plant. CBD does not have the same effects as THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) namely because it does not produce the euphoric high sensation. CBD can actually counteract the psychoactive effect of THC. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) CBD “Is not associated with abuse potential for it does not induce physical dependence, [and it is] generally well tolerated with a good safety profile.” Cannabidiol is one of many compounds of the cannabis plant. It has been widely reported that the WHO officially recommended on December 4, 2017 that the cannabis compound cannabidiol (CBD) not be internationally scheduled as a controlled substance because it was found not to have psychoactive properties or potential for abuse.
CBD oil is made from the Hemp plant. Hemp is defined as cannabis with less than 0.03% THC.
The Hemp Farming Act is a Farm bill sponsored by Mitch McConnell, R Kentucky that if passed would remove Hemp from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Controlled Substances Schedule I list making it an ordinary agriculture commodity. This would legalize Hemp on a federal level and allow Hemp farmers to apply for Water rights, Federal Agriculture grants, and farmers could be granted access to an elusive National Banking system which could lead to crop insurance. CBD oil could also be sold legally in all 50 states. Mitch McConnel, R Kentucky stated on June 13,2018 “I think it is time we took this step.” The DEA maintains that for now CBD is still illegal on a federal level but does not show interest in going after individuals who have benefitted from CBD oil.
Some Benefits of CBD:
*Eases Pain
* Reduces Nausea and vomiting
*Suppresses seizure activity
*Reduces Inflammation
*Reduces Tumor growth and helps destroy Cancer cells
*Alleviates Anxiety and Depression
*Slows neurodegenerative disorders
CBD Isolate
CBD Isolate is the purest form of CBD and is usually available as a white powder. Isolate is made from hemp, which is high CBD strains of cannabis such as Charlette’s Web, and Cannatonic. When the hemp plant reaches maturity, it is harvested and the extraction process can begin. Common extraction methods are, CO2, Ice Water, Butane, and Alcohol/Ethanol. Extraction separates the cannabinoids, terpenes, trichomes, flavonoids, and excess waxes. After extraction, the concentrate is refined even further through a cooling process called winterization. Once the concentrate is cooled down, all other unwanted substances are removed leaving only the cannabinoid compound.
CBD Isolate is ideal for people that like to create their own edibles and drinks because it is a powder. Powders are easy to measure and mix well. You can consume higher concentrations of CBD in smaller amounts, making it a suitable medicine. Just like consulting a Pharmacist it is a good idea to seek out a professional from a reliable CBD supplier when purchasing CBD Isolate.
The Entourage Effect
The Entourage effect is a term introduced in 1998 by S. Ben Shabat and Raphael Mechoulam. Their theory basically states that all the plant’s compounds work better in concert than isolating one compound by itself. When the human body ingests multiple components of the cannabis plant together such as CBD, THC, and Terpenes at the same time, each compound will amplify the other in a very synergetic manner. This combination of compounds also seems to affect the Endocannabinoid System in a positive way.
Endocannabinoids
The human brain has naturally occurring proteins that create chemicals similar to cannabinoids called Endocannabinoids. These help synapses communicate and send messages to each other. Additional cannabinoids from CBDs can help replenish an overworked, depleted system. Researchers believe that an overactive endocannabinoid system could contribute to the onset of diabetes.
The Endocannabinoid system controls how our bodies use and store energy. Overactivity in this system can damage glucose and lipid metabolism causing the body to store energy and inflaming the Pancreas. Inflammation in the Pancreas wreaks havoc on insulin production. When insulin production is not functioning correctly the body cannot convert food to energy.
Putting it all together
I have started to see a real connection between CBDs and Diabetes. The facts are hard to ignore. Cannabinoids occur naturally in our brains, but can become depleted with overactivity. CBDs can help restore cannabinoid levels through the Entourage effect. Overactivity of the Endocannabinoid system can lead to inflammation in the pancreas. An inflamed pancreas will not produce insulin properly. One of CBDs benefits/side effects is that it reduces inflammation. Diabetes is a disease that affects the body’s ability to produce or use the hormone insulin. Diabetes is traditionally controlled through checking blood sugar (glucose) levels, insulin injections and medications like Metformin. Type 2 diabetics may have another treatment option available now?
If you are thinking about adding CBD to your medications, it is always a good idea to talk to your doctor about it. Taking a new medication can cause different reactions in different people. It is best to have a professional physician monitor your health whenever you make a medication change.
Conclusion
Whether in Full Spectrum Oil or Isolate powder form, CBDs are benefitting people that need them the most. Studies have shown CBDs to offer relief in chronic pain sufferers. They help Cancer patients by shrinking tumors and curbing nausea. Epilepsy patients see less attacks from Anti-Seizure properties found in CBDs.
In David’s case, CBDs are definitely helping in his fight against Diabetes. He fully credits his lower A1C score and newfound good health to CBD. Everyday life was a struggle for David before the CBD. Now each day seems better than the last. IF David can continue to manage his diabetes successfully with CBD perhaps more patients will follow his lead. Could CBD be a potential cure to diabetes in the future? Only time will tell. Small victories like David’s are being gained every day in the massive fight against diabetes, offering new hope to millions of people in the world.
