It comes down to what your body absorbs to determine the benefits. And that is true for CBD bioavailability. Because while there are many different brands of cannabidiol (CBD) products to choose from, they do not work the same way. And in fact, some types of CBD can provide healthy cannabinoids that can be absorbed quickly into the body.
Since the 2018 Farm Bill, when hemp-derived products were federally legalized, the market for CBD products has grown exponentially. Now, if a product has 0.30% CBD or less, it is legal to purchase and possess. And also legal for companies to ship nationwide.
If you have been thinking about taking a daily cannabidiol (CBD) supplement, you should know a few things. The first and most important thing you should be looking for on the bottle of a CBD product is whether it is bioavailable or not. Because it can mean all the difference between realizing wellness benefits from CBD and wasting your money.
The Ability to Absorb Nutrients is Impaired With Age
Did you know that our bodies become less efficient at absorbing nutrients as we age? Age-related changes to the digestive tract are natural, but they impact nutrition in the senior years. The inability to absorb nutrients can actually lead to cravings and eating more food. And that can also complicate health with side effects from obesity.
One of the reasons is that gastrointestinal (GI) motility slows down is age. That means it takes longer for food to be processed by the digestive system. And when it sits in the GI tract, some nutrients are lost. But the bad news doesn’t stop there. The undigested food or “traffic jam” in your GI tract can also prevent the absorption of fresh nutrients.
Even though you may make the extra effort to eat a balanced diet, your body cannot absorb 100% of the nutrients you consume. And the problem gets worse with age. That also means the cannabidiol (CBD) supplement you choose should be the highest quality, which means a broad-spectrum or full-spectrum CBD product formulated for maximum bioavailability.
Misleading Cannabidiol Claims Are Confusing: What Does Science Say About CBD?
From 2015 to mid-2022, the FDA issued over one hundred (100) warning letters to CBD brands and manufacturers. That is because of the way that cannabidiol products are marketed and sold to consumers. Often in very misleading ways.
A quick search for “CBD for Health” will give you over 230 million results on Google. Today there is more credible research and information online about CBD supplements and topicals. And that makes it a little easier to research the information you need to decide whether CBD can help you moderate symptoms.
For decades it was difficult for researchers to get funding to study cannabinoids. Including cannabidiol and the potential applications it may have for human health. But as research has increased worldwide, there have been some exciting new discoveries about CBD. And they have also led to the development of two cannabinoid medications now approved by the FDA.
Currently, in the United States, there are evidence-based research studies to determine not only if CBD works for symptom management but also how it works inside the body. The evidence-based data will help further FDA approval of hemp-derived cannabidiol for medicinal use.
Some of the CBD clinical studies currently underway in 2022 include:
- CBD for Temporomandibular Disorders (including myofascial and orofacial pain)
- Advanced Breast Cancer, Anxiety, CBD Trial
- Endometriosis, CBD, Pelvic Pain Trial
- CBD Hand Osteoarthritis Trial
- Migraine, Cannabis, THC Trial
Medical science is “catching up” when it comes to understanding cannabidiol. That is because many people with debilitating health conditions and chronic diseases find that CBD helps. And according to data provided by Statistica, CBD retailers sold 4.17 billion in products in 2021 alone. This includes all CBD product sales, including tinctures, creams, edibles, and smokable types.
Why is Bioavailability Important When Choosing a CBD Supplement?
There are many different ways you can consume cannabidiol (CBD) daily. You can add cannabidiol oil to your coffee or smoothie or take a soft gel capsule instead. It all depends on your personal preferences and how you want to supplement your diet with CBD.
But the type of cannabidiol product you choose can also influence bioavailability. Some methods of delivering hemp-derived cannabinoids are easier than others for your body to absorb. So, when you are considering what type of CBD to buy, you should consider more than the milligrams of cannabidiol in the product. You should also think about bioavailability and how you will be ingesting your CBD.
Vaping or smokable cannabidiol ranks highest for bioavailability. And that is because cannabidiol is rapidly absorbed in the lungs and enters the bloodstream quickly. Next to smokable options, CBD oil and capsules that are formulated for bioavailability are your next best choice. Particularly for individuals who have asthma, COPD, or other respiratory problems.
Edibles are a popular method of ingesting cannabidiol daily. And while they are convenient and easy to store, they must also pass through the digestive system. During the digestive process, a small amount of the beneficial cannabinoid content is lost.
Why does bioavailability matter when you are choosing a CBD supplement or topical? Because it means the product is formulated for maximum absorption. And that means more healthy cannabinoids are provided to your body.
Fun Fact! You Can Increase CBD Bioavailability by Eating Certain Types of Foods
Many people do not know that natural terpenes and nutrients in food can increase the bioavailability of cannabinoids in your body. There are certain types of healthy foods that may help amplify the benefits of cannabidiol. And the good news is that they are delicious too!
Compared to consuming your cannabidiol supplement on an empty stomach, pairing it with one or more of the following snacks or herbs can increase bioavailability by 14% or more.
- Avocado
- Dark chocolate
- Whole egg
- Cheese
- Nuts
- MCT coffee/tea or beverage
- Turmeric
- Black pepper
- Coconut oil
- Fatty fish (i.e., salmon)
Remember to consult with your doctor for a personalized recommendation on your daily serving of cannabidiol (CBD) supplements. And to ensure that the CBD you are taking does not conflict with or interfere with the prescription medications you are taking.
Watch Out for Magnesium Oxide or Sulfate in CBD Supplements
We all like to save money, and shop around for the lowest price cannabidiol (CBD) supplement or topical. But as the adage goes “you get what you pay for” many economically priced CBD products offer little to no medicinal value.
Some lower-quality CBD supplements are made with magnesium oxide or magnesium sulfate. These minerals are often used to treat nausea and stomach upset. But they can also interfere with the volume of cannabinoids your body absorbs in a dose of CBD.
In fact, if you take a daily magnesium support supplement, you should also take your oral cannabidiol at least two hours beforehand. That will help ensure that magnesium does not block absorption or lower the bioavailability of the CBD you are taking.
When looking for a high-quality full-spectrum CBD supplement, look for products that contain magnesium citrate or magnesium aspartate instead. It will also help make sure you are getting more of “the good cannabinoids” from your cannabidiol supplement.
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