Nutritional Cannabis in the Management of Diabetes

In Dominica it is estimated that 18% of females and 14% of males are diabetic. Consequently, in the management of Diabetes, Nutritional Cannabis which is the consumption of the raw plant, sprouts or micro greens, provides deep biochemical support of the Endogenous Cannabinoid System (ECS) which is found in every living cell. ECS regulation encompasses the Endocrine System that regulates the whole body. The Paracrine System regulates the function of a cluster of cells; the Autocrine System regulates functions across cells’ plasma membrane; and the Intracrine system regulates activity within the cell itself.

Type 1 Diabetes or Juvenile Onset Diabetes is a condition where the immune system attacks the Islets of Langer hans which are found in the pancreas.

Type 2 Diabetes, formerly known as Adult-Onset Diabetes where there is Insulin resistance, reduced production of insulin and or reduced circulation of Insulin, thereby producing an increase in blood glucose which damages multiple organ systems including kidneys, nerves, eyes and heart. Type 2 progresses through four stages, Insulin Resistance, Prediabetes, Type2 Diabetes and finally Type 2 diabetes with organs and vascular complications. Metformin–which Wikipedia identifies as being sold under the brand name, Glucophage – is often prescribed – as a first line medication – to decrease the amount of glucose in the liver and improving insulin utilization. Type 2 is also called NIDDM or Non-insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus.

Type 3 Diabetes refers to Alzheimers and is a concept in development based on insulin resistance in the brain that impairs its function leading to a build up of amyloid-Beta fragments and other B-neurotoxins found in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Type 3c Diabetes is secondary to the damage to the pancreas caused by inflammation, fibrosis or cancer of the pancreas. Type 3c is a recognized form of diabetes, unlike Type 3 Diabetes which is not yet a recognized form of diabetes.

Interestingly, the two most common pancreatic endocrine cells are the Alpha cells that synthesize glucagon which increases the blood glucose level and the Beta cells which synthesize insulin hence lowering the serum glucose.

Moreover, over a hundred years ago, German Physician and Nobel Prize winner, Paul Ehrlich believed he had experimental evidence that the antibodies produced by the immune system could only attack foreign structures and organisms like viri, bacteria, prions, proteins etc. He felt that the self was protected from being attacked by its own immune system.

Additional research overwrote that assumption and established that the immune system could attack the body that created the immune system, thereby leading to the identification of Autoimmune Disorders. Hence the neologism “Auto toxicus Horribliis” was derived from Latin and describes “when the Immune System turns against the self”.

In conclusion, the Medicinal Acidic Cannabinoids, Terpenes and Flavonoids provided by raw cannabis supports regulation across all physiological levels. However, when cannabis is dried and or heated, it results – it is believed –  in the dramatic loss of critical biochemical elements that adversely impact cellular synergy.

Improvements in cannabis palatability leads to increased consistency in daily dietary consumption. Hence in the daily management of Diabetes, raw Cannabis is first soaked for several hours to macerate and then mixed or blended with fruits or vegetables to enhance flavour.

By William Courtney, MD in limited partnership with Marcia B.Moulon, Esq.,LLB(Hons),LLM(IP),LEC,EFB Attorney and Counselor at Law(NY,US) and Avocat (France, EU & Europe), Attorney at Law (Dominica/CARICOM/OECS), Attorney at Law (Barbados admitted)