Is CBD Good for Cholesterol?

Does CBD oil help with cholesterol? Can CBD oil lower triglycerides?

Big questions, with huge implications. If you’re asking, “does CBD lower cholesterol?” your next inquiry should be, “can CBD and cholesterol medication be taken together?”

Unfortunately, the answer is more complex than you might have hoped. While research shows that there may be a correlation between the use of CBD oil and cholesterol levels, the first thing we want our CBD Guru clientele to understand is that you must consult your physician about the use of CBD (cannabidiol) in combination with your pre-existing medications.

CBD and Cholesterol Medication

To examine the potential of pairing CBD with cholesterol medications, we’ll explore the possible interactions between statins and cannabidiol.

Statins are one of the commonly prescribed medicines for lowering cholesterol. The liver’s Cytochrome P450 enzymes metabolize these substances. CBD is known to inhibit these liver enzymes.

Once CBD inhibits these enzymes, these chemicals may not efficiently metabolize the statins you consume. This may lead to an increase of statins in the bloodstream leading to potential side effects ranging from mild to severe. 

While sufficient research has not been completed to prove that this combination will be dangerous, this metabolic contraindication could lead to life-threatening symptoms. Some case studies indicate that physicians can add CBD to a regimen featuring pharmaceuticals that are digested by these CYP450 enzymes. These experts achieved this by carefully reducing the dose of the drugs in question. However, this reduction should never be attempted without expert supervision from qualified medical professionals.

Please remember that other medicines used to manage cholesterol may also have mild to severe interactions with cannabidiol.

Does CBD Oil Help With Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance used by cells to make vitamins and hormones. It’s also used to help maintain cell membranes. Ideally, our bodies will produce a balance of high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) and low-density lipoproteins (LDLs). HDLs are typically known as good cholesterol, and LDLs are often seen as bad cholesterol. However, this is an oversimplification since LDLs are required for the production of hormones and cell walls. Still, there is no apparent danger from having low amounts of LDL in the body.

High cholesterol or hypercholesterolemia, however, can lead to stroke, heart attack, diabetes, and more. Hypercholesterolemia is typically diagnosed following a blood test revealing cholesterol concentrations higher than 200mg/dl (milligrams per decilitre) in the bloodstream.

CBD can modify a variety of activities in the body that relate to cholesterol levels. Cannabidiol directly influences the human endocannabinoid system (ECS). This network helps maintain balance throughout our entire system, and its functioning has a relevant impact on high cholesterol. While it’s not as straightforward as popping a few gummies and watching your “bad” cholesterol disappear, research indicates that endocannabinoid regulation can be a potent target for lowering cholesterol.

CBD Oil and Cholesterol Levels 

By caring for the endocannabinoid system (ECS) through CBD and healthy lifestyle choices, we can nudge the ECS into decisive, rejuvenating action. When operating efficiently, the ECS helps reduce insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance has a documented association with increased cholesterol. A decrease in this resistance can reduce concentrations of atherosclerotic plaque. This plaque is an accumulation of fat, cholesterol, and other substances in our arteries, the blood vessels responsible for carrying oxygenated blood from the heart. Eliminating a portion of this buildup can help reduce the risk of blood clots, strokes, and heart attacks, which are the primary risk factors associated with high cholesterol.

Cannabinoids that influence the ECS also help modify lipid structure throughout the body. These structural changes have been shown in the fat tissue under the skin (SAT ~ subcutaneous tissues) and the fatty tissue surrounding our organs (VAT ~ visceral adipose tissues). In addition, these changes help to restore insulin sensitivity, which combats the production of cholesterol and may lead to an overall reduction in cholesterol levels.

The endocannabinoid system also has another exciting action that can influence cholesterol concentrations. Research shows that the ECS modulates the secretion of GIP (gastric inhibitory polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1). GIP and GLP-1 are potential therapeutic targets to reduce cholesterol-related pathology.

When an individual is experiencing obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and/or high blood sugar, the ECS is commonly dysregulated, leading to improper HDL and LDL levels. If we can restore ECS function by using natural compounds found in foods and holistic supplements, this endogenous network may help combat hypercholesterolemia. 

Can CBD Oil Lower Triglycerides?

Elevated triglyceride levels, in combination with high levels of LDL and low levels of HDL have been linked to the build up of fatty plaque in the arteries. As such, many readers are likely to be interested in cannabinoid mediated reduction of this common type of fat.

To get a clear answer to this question, let’s take a deeper look at the endocannabinoid network. Two primary receptors are associated with the ECS, CB1, and CB2. The balanced activation of CB1 helps to regulate healthy triglyceride levels.

In animal models, it has been shown that when CB1 receptors are over-activated, it can cause an increase in triglyceride levels. Conversely, when CB1 activity is blocked, it can cause a reduction in triglyceride content. 

CBD has a very balanced and fascinating interaction with CB1 receptors. On the one hand, it helps to increase levels of one of the primary endocannabinoids produced by the body, anandamide (AEA). AEA directly activates CB1 receptors, which leads to a cascade of beneficial effects in the body. On the other hand, CBD itself acts as an allosteric modulator of CB1 receptors. This modulation indicates that CBD can uniquely bind to CB1 receptors without creating a standard stimulation or blockade. This activity may lead to an avoidance of adverse effects associated with the stimulation/blockage of these CB1 receptor sites.

The takeaway is that CBD may help produce a balanced activation of CB1 receptor activity while diminishing some of the negatives associated with the over-stimulation of these receptors. Still, more research is warranted to understand the correlation between CBD and lowered triglyceride levels, but the existing data seems very promising. What is certain is that keeping your endocannabinoid system healthy, happy, and well-fed is a critical element in regulating triglyceride concentrations.

Does CBD Lower Cholesterol?

The research publications surrounding CBD, ECS regulation, and lowered cholesterol are beginning to look very appealing. But at this point, we can only focus on the endocannabinoid system’s influence on activities related to high cholesterol pathology.

Apart from what we discussed above, there are a few more points to consider.

1) High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure and high cholesterol are linked. As plaque builds up, the arteries narrow and harden, making your heart strain to pump blood through them. This results in high blood pressure.

A 2020 Journal of Hypertension article showed that cannabidiol helped lower blood pressure associated with high stress and obesity. While this doesn’t show that CBD will be an effective way to treat clinical hypercholesterolemia, it highlights the vital role that endocannabinoid care can play when managing the high blood pressure commonly associated with the diagnosis.

2)  Stress

Chronic stress is known to affect cholesterol levels. This correlation is due to stress’ ability to cause cells to release cortisol and adrenaline. These chemicals will increase blood sugar levels and impact cholesterol concentrations.

CBD has a variety of impacts on the nervous system, which can contribute to stress reduction. As mentioned above, CBD helps to elevate AEA (anandamide). AEA, an endocannabinoid known as the bliss compound, has been shown to create a sense of well-being and ease. Research shows that a deficiency in anandamide levels may predict increased anxiety due to stress. 

CBD also binds directly to 5-HT1A serotonin receptors. This binding helps to restore balanced activity at these serotonin sites, leading to a decrease in anxiety-like behavior and a reduction of stress. This information sheds light on yet another powerful way the endocannabinoid system can regulate cholesterol concentrations.

3) Appetite and Weight Reduction

Being overweight is one of the more common experiences associated with high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Together, these factors help to promote the chances of experiencing the dangerous side effects of hypercholesterolemia (heart attacks, stroke, and respiratory problems).

Research has repeatedly shown that our endocannabinoids help to regulate appetite and body weight. When the ECS is activated via body heat regulation, we see an increase in the conversion of white adipose tissue (WAT) to brown adipose tissue (BAT). Adipose tissue is simply fat tissue. While white tissues are an essential part of our healthy functionality, brown adipose tissue may help to create a slight increase in overall metabolism and weight loss.

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) also plays a role in sugar metabolism, helping to alleviate insulin resistance. As we covered earlier in the article, this can be very helpful in managing high cholesterol. In addition, BAT also aids in the metabolism of triglycerides. Finally, research indicates that brown fat activation helps to reduce high cholesterol, preventing arterial plaque development.

4) Reducing Nicotine and Alcohol Consumption

Small-scale studies indicate that the use of CBD may help tobacco smokers cut back and that it may help chronic drinkers reduce their consumption rates. This potential for cessation is relevant to high cholesterol because both smoking and alcohol consumption can contribute to the development of hypercholesterolemia.

However, CBD may impact how nicotine and ethanol are metabolized. While you may not feel this acutely with tobacco consumption, the combination of CBD and alcohol has been known to increase drowsiness. Even if you do not notice this effect, cannabidiol’s impact on metabolism may create a slow burn of biological effects in your body. The true impact of these combinations has yet to be thoroughly researched. Therefore, proceed with caution, and consult a physician before adding CBD to your routine if you consume one or both of these substances daily. 

Is CBD Guru’s Top Shelf CBD Right for You?

Here at CBD Guru, we offer premium, lab-tested, THC-free cannabidiol for your health and wellness needs. Our all-natural products are among the most sought after cannabidiol supplements on the market. Just check out our vast, growing list of reviews, and you’ll see why.

Regarding potentially life-threatening disorders, we must advise you to consult a physician before adding cannabidiol to your routine. Your health is paramount to our initiative. That’s why we started this article by discussing the potential danger of combining cannabidiol with specific cholesterol medications.

The FSA has advised that healthy adults can consider consuming up to 70 mg of CBD per day. Under certain conditions, qualified medical staff may administer more significant amounts of cannabidiol daily. But the individuals administering macro CBD dosages to clients with medical conditions are experts with years of study behind them.

Supplementing CBD is an excellent choice if you have not been prescribed additional cholesterol medication. However, if you have been diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia and are using pharmaceuticals to address the issue, we urge you to find a qualified expert and follow their advice.

Once you are ready to make an informed order, we’ll be here, ready to deliver our best-in-class CBD products directly to your door.