According to the Centers for Disease Control, over 100 million Americans are living with diabetes. That is over one third of our population, and the numbers grow every day. In this article we will take a look at the different types of diabetes, common causes of unbalanced blood sugar, risk factors, and how CBD can help you manage your symptoms.


What is diabetes?
Diabetes is defined as "A disease in which the body's ability to produce or respond to the hormone insulin is impaired, resulting in abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates and elevated levels of glucose in the blood and urine". Blood glucose is the body's main source of energy and insulin is an important hormone made by the pancreas which helps glucose from food get into your cells to be used as energy. In many people the pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin, leaving too much glucose in the blood that can cause alot of trouble over time.

What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes?
Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that causes your immune system to attack and destroy islet cells in your pancreas. Islet cells are the cells that produce insulin in the pancreas. Type 1 diabetes accounts for appx. 5 to 10 percent of all diabetes cases, and can develop at any age but is typically diagnosed earlier in life. People who suffer from Type 1 have to take insulin every day.

Type 2 Diabetes is in the process of being reclassified as an autoimmune disorder rather than just a metabolic disorder. Type 2 causes your body to resist insulin or not produce enough insulin. Many times at the onset, your body will over produce insulin trying to balance the glucose in the blood, then typically in time is unable to keep up with the glucose in the blood. Type 2 diabetes used to be referred to as "Adult Onset Diabetes" but today more and more children are being diagnosed, most likely due to the increase in childhood obesity. One big difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes is that Type 2 can many times be managed without the use of insulin. Weight loss, diet, and exercise can go a long way to helping you manage your blood sugar levels.

Other types of diabetes:

• Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that only occurs during pregnancy, and many times is resolved when she gives birth. It is many times related to a number of different things that happen to the body during pregnancy such as hormonal changes, weight gain, and genetic factors. This type of diabetes can be exceptionally dangerous because it many times has no symptoms or can have mild symptoms such as frequent urination or excessive thirst. Pregnant women should have their doctors keep a close eye on blood sugars, especially if they experience any symptoms. Women who develop gestational diabetes are at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and their child is at higher risk of becoming obese and/or developing Type 2 diabetes.
• Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are considered polygenic, meaning that it is caused by a mutation or change in multiple genes. Diabetes that results from a defect in a single gene is known as Monogenic Diabetes . This form of diabetes is very rare and only accounts for 1 to 4 percent of diabetes diagnoses. Many times monogenic diabetes is misdiagnosed. Most of the time the gene mutation is inherited from both parents, but can sometimes develop spontaneously and the gene is not carried by either parent. This type of diabetes is sometimes controlled by medication and sometimes requires insulin therapy.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?
Symptoms of diabetes can develop very slowly and are many times overlooked until other diabetes related health problems present. Signs and symptoms include:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Unintended weight loss
• Slow healing sores
• Darkening skin around the neck & armpits
• Fatigue
• Neuropathy
  
• Increased hunger
• Blurred or decreased vision

Can CBD help me manage my diabetes symptoms?
CBD works with your body's own Endocannabinoid System & therefore has many many therapeutic applications, not the least of which is management of diabetes symptoms.

• Prevention is probably the most important way that CBD can help combat diabetes. A healthy endocannabinoid system promotes homeostasis in all systems in your body, preventing imbalance in the first place. CBD can help your pancreas do it's job in the first place.
• Many studies have shown that CBD treats diabetic neuropathy better than traditional medications. CBD is also well known as a neuroprotectant so, not only can it relieve neuropathic pain it can also prevent further neuropathy. Researchers believe that CBD may increase the levels of nerve growth factor as well as protect the liver from oxidative stress.
• CBD is known to help the body burn calories and fat more efficiently. It can act as an appetite suppressant, fight extra weight in the form of inflammation, and aid in the process of fat browning. This process is important because there are 2 forms of fat in the body. White adipose tissue (fat) stores calories and brown adipose tissue aids in the body's ability to burn energy. Overall, CBD can help prevent obesity and the storing of fat around the waist.
• There have been many studies that tie insulin resistance to chronic inflammation. CBD is a very powerful anti-inflammatory and also promotes homeostasis throughout the body. Reducing inflammation in the body improves the overall function of your cardiovascular and immune system as well as many other systems in the body needed for your body to work at peak performance.
• Many diabetics struggle with chronic skin disorders due to poor circulation. CBD can not only improve cardiovascular performance by reducing inflammation and improving blood flow, but it also helps with the healing and regeneration of skin & muscle cells. Many users of oral and topical CBD preparations report not only faster healing of existing wounds, but also a reduction of developing conditions.

CBD is not going to cure your diabetes, but adding CBD to your existing treatments and routine can aid in the overall health of your body and improve your quality of life. To sum up:

1. CBD can aid in improving blood flow by keeping blood vessels open.
2. CBD can aid in relieving restless leg syndrome which many diabetics suffer from.
3. CBD can reduce pain and neuropathy.
4. CBD can aid in gently reducing blood pressure which is very important for diabetes sufferers.
5. CBD is an anti-spasmodic and can reduce painful muscle cramping and GI disorders.
6. CBD can aid in balancing blood sugars

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease