CBD – A Possible Treatment for Arthritis Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis affects about 54 million Americans a year. Those individuals suffering from the effects of osteoporosis are also most likely suffering from arthritis and cartilage damage. Osteoporosis is the medical term which by definition literally means porous bones. This can cause pain and significant discomfort to the affected areas and are at a higher risk of bone fractures as a result of bone loss. Studies suggest that approximately 50% of women are susceptible to experiencing a bone fracture due to osteoporosis. Unfortunately, osteoporosis is a hard problem to diagnose until the patients experience an unexpected fall or break. Not only does the bone loss create serious complications but the loss of cartilage, another symptom of osteoporosis, can cause discomfort and problems with mobility which leads to an ever-increasing sedentary lifestyle, which further increases the likelihood of bone density and cartilage loss. The loss of cartilage, as a result of osteoarthritis, can eventually lead to disability and immobility which has affected the quality of life for countless men and women.

When the body is functioning properly, it is constantly absorbing and replacing bone tissue. During periods of bone loss, the body is depleting bone tissue quicker than it can replace it. Osteoporosis can also affect how your cartilage viscosity and texture, becoming rough and thin until it wears down completely and leaving no padding between bones.

Symptoms of Osteoporosis

Signs that you might be developing osteoporosis or suffering from bone loss include: pain during or after movement, loss of flexibility, joint tenderness and stiffness, and some people can experience a grating sensation between joints which can be a sign of extreme cartilage loss. The affected joints can also become swollen after an extended activity. Women are nearly twice as likely as men to develop osteoarthritis, which can be directly linked to that time in life where women start going through menopause. Due to hormonal changes, women experience bone loss, which left untreated, can develop into osteoporosis. Unfortunately, there is no cure for osteoarthritis and the damage done is currently seen as irreversible. Current traditional treatments focus on pain management and attempting to slow the progression of the disease. Not the best of news for those suffering from the disease, but we’ve seen some promising studies done on how CBD can help. Studies have been conducted which shows not only can CBD help treat the immediate ailments such as pain, stiffness, and flexibility and can potentially even help increase bone growth and density.

How CBD can help

Research suggests that CBD shows potential in mitigating the onset, progression, and damage caused by bone loss and osteoporosis. A research study on mice indicated that the cannabinoid receptors for “play important roles in bone remodeling and in the pathogenesis of a joint disease.” Another research study which tested bone bass in rats, concluded “CBD leads to improvement in fracture healing and demonstrates the critical mechanical role of collagen crosslinking enzymes. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.” A study conducted by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem focused on the relation between CB2 receptors and how that affects bone density in mice. They observed that mice which had mutated CB2 receptors statistically had a lower bone density than the mice without the mutated receptors. The researchers reported that one major role of the CB2 receptor was to protect against age-related bone loss by facilitating balanced bone metabolism. Both CBG and THC interact directly with the CB2 receptor. The report also cited evidence that alterations in the gene that is responsible for coding CB2 receptor are linked to post-menopausal osteoporosis in humans. All of these findings are strong evidence that the endocannabinoid system is a promising therapeutic target in preventing bone diseases, particularly ones that are age-related.

A preclinical study which studied the effects of synthetic CBD on mice concluded, “Preclinical studies have shown that a synthetic CB2-specific agonist rescues ovariectomy-induced bone loss. Taken together, the reports on cannabinoid receptors in mice and humans pave the way for the development of:

• diagnostic measures to identify osteoporosis-susceptible polymorphisms in CNR2
• cannabinoid drugs to combat osteoporosis

It is important to understand that most, not all, of the lab research which has been conducted on the health benefits of CBD are preclinical and utilize animals in their studies to attain data. But what it does show us that there is significant promise with this amazing plant and as its popularity grows so too will the research. We have seen our own subjective benefits and customer testimonials of supplementing CBD to combat some of the ailments attributed with menopause and believe that it works.

Prevention of Osteoporosis

We all like to keep active. The following list may ward away osteoporosis. Particularly if there is a family history. partaking in preventative strategies will minimize your chances of developing this debilitating condition.

• Eat High in Calcium
• Absorb Plenty Vitamin D
• Avoid exposure to pollutants such as cigarette smoke
• Limit the consumption of alcohol and caffeine
• Weight-bearing and strength training exercises and activities highly recommended

Medical Disclaimer

Information listed, referenced or linked to on this website is for general educational purposes only and does not provide professional medical or legal advice.

Japa Organics does not condone, advocate or promote licit or illicit drug use. Japa Organics cannot be held responsible for material from references on our pages or on pages to which we provide links, which condone, advocate or promote licit or illicit drug use or illegal activities. Please consult your Doctor/Healthcare Practitioner before using any products/methods listed, referenced or linked to on this website.

Reference:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19634029

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jbmr.2513/abstract;jsessionid=DBEF56DB42BCE5AEDD3BB6A9D3D0B03B.f03t02

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20532878