If you’re an avid CBD lover, we want to help you get the most out of your CBD. There are ways that you can improve the way CBD works, so that you not only get a bang for your buck, but your body can reap the benefits of CBD as well. The reason CBD actually works is because it interacts with an internal system that we all have: the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a network of receptors, enzymes, and endocannabinoids. Its purpose is to modulate organ system and immune system function, inflammation, and pain. While the ECS is powerful and can do a lot to sustain itself, there are ways that we can support it.
There are several factors that play a role in the support of the ECS. However, one of the more significant factors is diet. While it’s not as common to hear about certain diets causing inflammation, many of the things that people eat day-to-day do induce inflammation in the body which can wreak havoc to the ECS. Inflammatory foods are foods that cause our immune system to release certain immune cells that cause the inflammation in the first place. The reason why the body chooses to induce inflammation because of these foods is due to the endotoxins that are released upon eating the foods. Essentially, your body is just trying to protect itself.
Here are some common inflammatory foods that you should be avoiding: all animal products including dairy, eggs, and meats, fried foods, and artificial sugars like sucralose. This may seem like a lot to remove from your daily lifestyle, but it really opens the door to so many diverse foods. These are some foods that help the ECS thrive: leafy greens, seeds (chia, flax, hemp, etc.), nuts (the ECS loves healthy fats), avocado, rainbow veggies (sweet potato, purple cabbage, bell pepper), fruits, legumes (chickpeas, beans, lentils, peanuts), grains (rice, oats, quinoa). The ECS also especially loves flavonoid rich foods like citrus fruits, matcha, kale, cacao, and berries, and fermented foods like kimchi, pickles, sauerkraut, etc. As long as you eat the rainbow, eat when you’re hungry, stop when you’re full, and feed yourself food that your body reacts well too, you are on the right path.
Another factor is reducing stress. Prolonged stress causes persistent high levels of cortisol (stress hormone). Ongoing high levels of cortisol have been shown to cause weight gain, adrenal fatigue, high blood sugar levels, and autoimmune issues. This gets us to a big player in reducing stress: exercise. Exercise is a miraculous thing for many reasons. It helps the human body reduce inflammation, increase happy hormones, increase oxygenation, improve blood pressure, and much more. The Mayo Clinic recommends getting in at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week. Research suggests that exercise can actually induce the release of anadamide, an endocannabinoid part of the ECS. Anandamide is known as the bliss molecules, so yes, it makes us happy!
When you combine a high-quality CBD with a balanced diet and enough exercise, you’re allowing your body to reach its best potential. Remember, the key is to eat a diet that is rich in anti-inflammatory foods and exercise a least 3-4 times per week. As for CBD, the key is to take it consistently: daily. Make sure to take a look at our wide range of high-quality broad-spectrum CBD products, so you can start supporting your ECS as soon as possible!
