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NUTRITION

CBD 101

by Arti Datta December 10, 2019

Unless you’ve been living under a rock these past couple of years, you would know that CBD has taken the country by storm. It’s all the rage, making waves and headlines, even more so, since it’s been legalized in several states now.

There are reports galore calling CBD one of nature’s greatest gifts to mankind and pets.

As a biochemist, holistic nutritionist and pet lover, I was curious about what the hoopla is all about and so decided to dig a little and research and educate myself about what exactly is CBD, how does it differ from its infamous cousin THC, how exactly does it bring about the various effects on the body and more specifically, what is the mechanism of action at the cellular level.

Here’s what I dug out –

Origins

Cannabidiol (CBD) is derived from the Cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa). which has been around for thousands of years. Ancient Romans, Greeks, Chinese, Persians and Indians are known to have used it for its healing properties. Hemp and Marijuana are two species of the Cannabis plant.

Interesting factoid: Our bodies synthesize some amount of cannabinoids naturally too.

Difference between CBD and THC – the infamous cousin

CBD and THC called Phytocannabinoids, are two of 85 active cannabinoids from the cannabis plant, which contains over 400 different chemical compounds. Hemp and marijuana plants contain both CBD and THC in varying proportions. Hemp has a higher concentration of CBD (less than 0.3% THC), while marijuana is more concentrated with THC (more than 12%).

The single most significant difference between CBD and THF is that the latter is psychotropic, causing the euphoric high for the user, also resulting in long term psychiatric effects.

The molecular structure of both CBD and THC are similar C21, H30, O2

The difference is just in the way the oxygen atoms are arranged in the two molecules. Minor difference in structure causing major effects on how the two compounds function in the body.

CBD is not psychotropic while THC is very much so. However CBD does affect the body in several ways and research suggests that it may have positive medical uses.

What are the effects of CBD: Medical uses?

CBD has shown promise as an analgesic, anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant, anxiolytic, antipsychotic and has shown neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity, among other currently investigated uses.

The oldest natural pain reliever in the world.

CBD offers natural alternative for pain relief from chronic pain, as opposed to over the counter drugs. It’s anti inflammatory properties are getting more and more well established.

Epidiolex: First FDA approved CBD product

On June 25th, 2018, Epidiolex was approved by the FDA to be the first CBD-based product available on the US market for the treatment of two rare forms of epilepsy – Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, which are among the two most difficult types of epilepsy to treat

CBD for a spectrum of health issues:

CBD products have been touted to positively effect a whole range of health issues like –

Anxiety disorders/ Depression
Type 1 Diabetes
Alzheimer’s disease
Heart health
Acne
Quitting smoking

Numerous research studies are ongoing to confirm or dispel the various health benefit claims of CBD. NIH data base shows currently more than 160 clinical research trials involving CBD are active.

How does CBD work

Our body produces some cannabinoid on its own, that is regulated by the body’s Endocannabinoid System. The EBS system, which is also present in our pets, is involved in many physiological processes, like stress response, inflammation, appetite, energy balance amongst others. CBD interacts with this system and brings about its effects by binding to specific receptors called CB1 and CB2. While these receptors are present all over the body, CB1 receptors are concentrated in the brain, while CB2 receptors in the immune system.

More recently studies have shown that rather than directly attach to receptors, CBD signals the body to use more of it’s own cannabinoids, called endocannabinoids.

Due to lack of regulation in the market place, one is hard pressed to choose from the huge variety of CBD products offered, each claiming to be better than the others. Concerns over exaggerated health claims should be taken into account while experimenting with CBD products. FDA has become more active in regulating CBD products and has begun to crack down on scrupulous players in the industry.

Final Thoughts

Just to clarify, I am not selling the idea of CBD or singing it’s glory. As the presence of CBD/hemp becomes all pervading, (it’s made its way into shampoos, cosmetics and perfumes!) we cannot be passive bystanders anymore. The more we educate ourselves, the less vulnerable we would be to advertising lingo, and the more informed decisions we would be able to make – to CBD or not.

NUTRITION

Mushrooms – Overrated!

by Arti Datta October 2, 2019

written by Arti Datta

September was National Mushroom month. I’ll go on a limb and say this – in my opinion mushrooms are not as big a deal as they are made out to be.

In my defense, mushrooms were never a staple in the South Indian kitchen that I grew up in. My first initiation to mushrooms happened in my undergraduate Microbiology class where I learnt that mushrooms are not a vegetable but a species called Fungi. That did it for me! No way am I eating a fungus – period!

When I moved to the west, I was amazed at the variety of mushrooms up for sale – white button, crimini, shitake, portabella, enoki, cloud ear, oyster – the list was endless. I learnt mushrooms were a common substitute for meat. As a vegetarian that should have been great news. But much as I tried to embrace it, I simply could not bring myself to munch on a fungus. And so the status quo remained.

Several years later while doing a course in Holistic Nutrition, I revisited my mushrooms saga wondering if this thing was really worth consuming, in spite of my aversion to it. And so I delved into a serious study of the nutrition profile of the shroom – its caloric, fiber and micronutrient contents. And also, why has it taken the vegetarian world by storm.

Here’s what I dug out. Irrespective of the type of mushrooms, they have the following.

Approximately the same amount of protein and carb – not much of either – about 2.3grams per cup of mushrooms.

Sugars 1.2 grams per cup

Zero amounts of cholesterol,

Calories – 15 per cup

Decent amount of fiber – 3 grams per cup

High in B Vitamins – including Biotin

Selenium, 36micrograms per cup,

Modest amounts of copper, potassium, vitamin D

So the good news is mushrooms are a zero cholesterol, low carb, high fiber produce. So it is great if you are on a diet to lose weight; but pretty much “meh” on every other nutrient. Sure it has some decent micronutrients, but nothing that cannot be gotten elsewhere from more “likeable” foods. For example, 2 pieces of dates has more fiber (4gms) than a whole cup of this fungus.

Mushrooms’ claim to fame is Selenium, an important micronutrient that protects the body from damage that might lead to chronic diseases; also strengthens the immune system. The amount of selenium in one cup is equivalent to what one finds in a third of a Brazil nut.

Vitamin D, or the sunshine vitamin is another nutrient that mushrooms are touted as being rich in, because the farmed mushrooms are cultivated in sunlight. However that does not translate into the Vitamin D that your body makes with an exposure to sunlight – just 15 mins a day. I would any day do the latter.

I concluded that mushrooms are far from the superfood that it is claimed to be and is just yet another listing in the pop media created hype in nutrition.

Here’s the bottom line folks – if you like the meaty, earthy taste of mushrooms, certainly go for it, especially if you are on a low cal, low carb diet. But don’t do it if, like me, you dislike it’s taste or texture, just because you may think it’s high in nutrition – because it’s not! You can safely hold this fungus from your veggie bowl.

NUTRITION

Understanding Probiotics

by Arti Datta March 22, 2019

written by Arti Datta

The World Health Organization defines probiotics as “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host”.

There is a constant battle between the good bacteria and the bad bacteria in our gut. A good balance of the two is crucial for optimal health. Consuming probiotics is a way of giving a leg up to the good bugs in this survival game, so they constantly are the predominant population.

So how can we ensure that our body has an ongoing access to probiotics. This can be done in one of two ways – Diet and/or Supplements.