CBD - What It Is, and What It Isn't
Michael Ventresca • November 6, 2019
Chances are you’ve heard of CBD, the compound found in the hemp plant that has been the subject of countless news stories and reports of health benefits. Today, I want to share some information with you about what CBD is, and also, what it isn’t. But before we can look at CBD, it’s important to briefly touch on what’s called the Endogenous Cannabinoid System or ECS.
Your Body’s Balancing Act
Discovered as recently as the late 1980s, the ECS is a biological system found in all mammals. It’s comprised of compounds called endogenous cannabinoids (often called endocannabinoids) and cannabinoid receptors found widely throughout the body. The main purpose of the ECS appears to be to maintain homeostasis, your body’s ability to keep everything in balance. Essentially, when something is operating outside of the proper range, your body activates the ECS to help correct it. Because its role is to help so many other body systems maintain balance, it’s no surprise the ECS is involved in everything from pain and inflammation to memory, mood, appetite, stress, sleep, metabolism, immune function, and reproductive function. The problem is, studies are finding it’s very easy to throw this balancing system out of balance.
CBD Helps Restore Balance
Enter CBD. Unlike the endocannabinoids we produce internally, CBD is a cannabinoid you get externally, most notably from the hemp plant. While more research is needed, our current understanding is CBD helps to rebalance and support the ECS. That’s why one person experiences pain relief, while another finds it helps them fall asleep while yet another reports it reduces anxious feelings. It’s not CBD that’s doing this directly. Rather, CBD is helping to rebalance the ECS, that in-turn helps rebalance so many other body systems.
But here’s what CBD isn’t. CBD is by no means a silver bullet or a cure-all that acts alone in the body. In order to really benefit from CBD, the ECS needs additional support. Managing stress levels, getting adequate sleep, and exercise all play major roles in the health of your ECS, as do diet and nutrition. Researchers have found without Omega-3 fatty acids and probiotics for example, the receptors and enzymes that comprise the ECS won’t be able to properly unlock the benefits of CBD.
Selecting a CBD Product
The final piece of the CBD puzzle is selecting one. There are hundreds of CBD companies and thousands of CBD products available. Like all herbal remedies, it’s very important to understand raw material and processing is critical to getting an effective product. When discussing CBD, it’s also important to note while some may be good, more may not be better. Researchers have learned that in some people, a lower dose of CBD may be more effective for symptoms like pain, than taking the highest dose available.
At Vital Choice, we offer a variety of the best products available from brands like Hemp Luxe, Charlotte’s Web
and PlusCBD
in addition to our own Vital Choice Broad-Spectrum CBD(learn more about our CBD here). With a Naturopathic Doctor and Registered Dietitian on our staff, we are ready to answer your questions, and help you find the best product for your needs.
Mike Ventresca is the owner of Vital Choice Health Store located at 9243 Sprague Road in North Royalton’s Timber Ridge Plaza since 1998. The phone number is 440-885-9505. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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Have you ever eaten a meal with garlic or onions, and almost instantly had stomach upset? Does it seem like just about everything you eat causes gas, bloating or indigestion? If this sounds like you, or if you’ve been told to try a FODMAP diet, today’s article could be the missing piece to a very frustrating puzzle. I know it was for me. Most people have heard of lactose intolerance or gluten sensitivity, but far fewer are familiar with fructan sensitivity. Fructans are naturally occurring carboyhydrates found in a wide variety of foods but in especially high concentrations in everything from garlic and onions, to asparagus, wheat and even watermelon. For people who have difficulty digesting fructans, these foods can cause gas, bloating, abdominal discomfort, and sometimes diarrhea. The frustrating part is that fructans are found in so many seemingly unrelated foods that it can feel like almost everything you eat is causing a problem. That was my experience for years. Over the years, I tried a number of digestive enzymes. While many of them helped, none of them were a perfect match for the garlic, onion and pasta found in some of my favorite Italian meals. Then I stumbled across a product called FODZYME. FODZYME contains three digestive enzymes, including fructan hydrolase, an enzyme specifically designed to help break down fructans. FODZYME is a tasteless powder that you sprinkle directly on your food just before eating. The enzymes mix with the food and begin breaking down the fructans as you chew, before they cause problems further down the digestive tract. For me, the difference has been night and day. I am finally able to enjoy foods I have avoided for years. It’s important to note, there is still some trial and error involved regarding dosage. Because the amount of fructans varies from meal to meal, I find I need to adjust how much I use. Sometimes, one scoop is plenty, other times, I’ll use two. But if garlic, onions, wheat, or other high-fructan foods consistently leave you feeling miserable, FODZYME may be just what you need to start enjoying the foods you love. To learn more, or to try FODZYME, please stop in today. Mike Ventresca is the owner of Vital Choice Health Store located at 9243 Sprague Road in North Royalton’s Timber Ridge Plaza. The phone number is 440-885-9505 or visit VChoice.com . This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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