The immune system and CBD

Did you know that not only are we more likely to get a cold or the flu in the winter, but that many other health problems also occur, and existing ones get worse during the cold months? Why does this happen and how can CBD from hemp help us? The immune system and CBD.

What protects our immune system from diseases?
The body's defense system, in a broad sense, consists of several components. Immune system cells, such as macrophages, which engulf damaged cells, ppathogenic microbes.. Antibodies of the immune system that bind to the antigen of pathogenic microbes on their surface and cause their destruction. On the mucous membranes, we are protected by various antimicrobial peptides - tiny proteins that, by piercing the membrane of pathogenic microbes, cause their destruction. An important part of the defense forces are also proteolytic enzymes that participate in the digestion of pathogenic microbes, protein toxins ... and in cleaning up the general mess caused by inflammation. The beneficial lactic acid microbes of the intestinal microbiota have also been proven to contribute to the development and efficiency of the immune system. Numerous physical barriers are also important for defense. For example, healthy mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, similar to the skin from the outside, protect us from the penetration of harmful substances and microbes into the body. Heat is also our ally. The body knows exactly how much it needs to raise its body temperature to destroy bacteria, viruses or cancer cells. We also have powerful antioxidants available to us that neutralize free radicals - cell destroyers - on a daily basis. For example, if the level of the important body antioxidant glutathione were to drop significantly, our lives would be greatly endangered by the rampant free radicals. The body's defenses also include a well-functioning body information system, or endocannabinoid system (ES), which also ensures the body's timely and coordinated response to all external and internal changes. Its task is to maintain cellular balance. For example, the ES is activated when we are attacked by pathogenic microbes or threatened by ingested pesticides, when the body is overwhelmed by free radicals, in the event of injuries, during periods of mental stress, etc.

Why is the body's defense system under greater pressure in winter?

Although we are most aware of the existence of the defense system in winter, when a cold or flu stops us and "puts us to bed", the defense forces protect the body with the same dedication all year round, of course, if we help them appropriately. Therefore, if we detect and satisfy the needs of the body and mind in a timely manner in all seasons, our defense forces protect us equally effectively from pathogenic microorganisms, possible cancer cells and toxic substances, free radical damage and inflammation - regardless of whether we are caressed by the warm summer sun or if the cold and snow rage around us. If we do not do this and overlook the fact that the defense forces are more strained in the cold months, this can also be felt in the form of deterioration of health. The usual fast and stressful lifestyle in which we live all year round is more difficult for us to cope with in winter, as we encounter additional aggravating circumstances. Because of the cold, we have to produce much more energy for the basic functioning of the body than in summer. In addition, we introduce fewer protective vital substances into the body (antioxidants, basic minerals, enzymes, etc.), as we consume fewer local fresh vegetables and fruits. Moreover, because we eat more depleted and industrially processed food in winter (products made from white flour and sugar, canned food, etc.), more acidic metabolites are produced in the body, which leads to a disruption of the acid-base balance. Blood glucose levels may also rise. Poor-quality food also disrupts the balance of the intestinal microbiota. The body also has less quality air available in winter, as we move less outdoors, which results in poorer blood circulation in the tissues. This also means that more toxins accumulate in the body during the cold months, which would be easily eliminated through sweating and breathing during numerous outdoor summer physical activities. Since the days are shorter in winter, the body also produces less protective vitamin D, which is important for the functioning of the immune system. If we do not adjust our sleep rhythm to our body's needs in the winter, this further contributes to the accumulation of toxic metabolites, free radicals and silent inflammation, as the detoxification and regeneration processes do not proceed optimally when we lack sleep. All this creates conditions in the body in which it is more difficult for the body's defenses to perform all their assigned tasks. It is therefore not unusual that we succumb to the cold or flu virus more quickly in the winter than in the summer, and that the symptoms of rheumatism (1), diabetes (2) or mental well-being - depression (3) etc. - intensify in the cold months. If we are aware of this and support the body appropriately during the cold months, there will be no major deviations even in the winter.

KDoes CBD support immune system?

Due to the many identified potentials of the cannabinoid CBD, it contributes to the effectiveness of our defenses on many levels, as it supports the functioning of the body's information system - the endocannabinoid system. It has been found that CBD contributes to the coordinated functioning of various parts of the immune system. In addition, it has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, neuroprotective, neuroregenerative, antitumor, antidiabetic, anxiolytic and many other potentials, which also include improving sleep quality, better stress management, etc.

CBD helps calm an overactive immune system by calming inflammation. When the immune system is overactive and starts attacking its own body, as is the case with autoimmune diseases, dangerous chronic inflammation occurs, which can lead tocan seriously endanger health. Chronic inflammation is said to be the background of depression, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, arthritis, allergies, asthma, neurodegenerative diseases, etc. This does not mean that we can only consume CBD when the immune system is overly stimulated. Cancer, for example, is the result of poorly functioning body defenses. Since various studies show that CBD inhibits the development and spread of cancer, promotes the self-destruction of cancer cells (4), etc., this means that consuming CBD helps even if our body's defenses are weak. Due to its antioxidant effect, CBD also reduces the burden caused by free radicals or oxidative stress on the body (5). CBD also contributes to the body's defenses with its antibacterial effect. It is said to have a bactericidal effect on staphylococci and streptococci and even on Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium that is resistant to methicillin (MRSA) (6).

Sources:
(1) https://www.medpagetoday.com/rheumatology/arthritis/56160
(2) http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-and-cold-weather.html
(3) https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/seasonal-affective-disorder/index.shtml
(4) Paola Massi et al., "Cannabidiol as potential anticancer drug"
(5) Lili Yang et al., "Cannabidiol protects liver from binge alcohol-induced steatosis by mechanisms including inhibition of oxidative stress and increase in autophagy"
(6) G. Appendino et al., "Antibacterial cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa: a structure-activity study"

Text:  Adriana Dolinar, Ph.D.Vet.Med., the president Associations for the Awakening of the Whole Man and an external employee of the information center - Zadravje.net.
Source: https://www.zazdravje.net/zdrava-medicina/kako-cbd-pozimi-podpira-obrambne-moci/