Cannabidiol (CBD) is now “mainstream.” CBD is used in products as diverse as cosmetics and skin care, food and beverages, pet food, health supplements, and pharmaceuticals. Today, we know that CBD products are beneficial for numerous health issues, for both human beings and their animal friends. Cannabidiol products are a global phenomenon, offering anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-seizure, anti-anxiety, analgesic, and painkilling benefits. Research has shown that CBD can also help users with such health issues as cardiac health, insomnia, arthritis, digestion and gastrointestinal issues, as well as calming the behavioural effects of Alzheimer’s, among others. It can help support muscles during sports injury recovery, and as a complementary therapy, CBD has been shown to help reduce cancerous tumour growth in the brain, breasts, and lungs. If you read the research papers, you’ll understand why this nutraceutical can be good for us. That said, consult with your physician or a CBD-savvy naturopath or holistic veterinarian to offer insights as to high-quality CBD product choices to target specific medical conditions.
Consumers are on-board, eagerly trying out new CBD supplements, and enjoying this much-touted natural wellness compound. By 2024, the collective sales market for CBD sales is expected to exceed $20 billion in the U.S. alone. The most popular methods of administering CBD are in tincture form, as capsules, or as lotions—and in “treat” form for pets. Countless users have reported that CBD works fast, providing relief from chronic pain, and helping with numerous health conditions.
With so many CBD brands and products to choose from, finding a natural, high-quality product to suit your needs may prove daunting. With this in mind, we’ll review some of the reasons why it’s important for your optimal health that you find a superior, natural, organic, non-GMO, gluten-free CBD product such as those we list on our IndiGrowth CBD sales page.
What is CBD?
CBD is a natural supplement that when used properly, has been declared by Health Canada to be safe for human and pet consumption. CBD is a component of the cannabis plant that does not cause a psychoactive effect when consumed without tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
What are Cannabinoids?
Since cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the trendiest products in pet and human health today, it is important to understand CBD’s potential benefits before choosing from the array of CBD products on the market. This means understanding cannabinoids, and the differences between THC and CBD.
Cannabidiol is derived from the cannabis plant, and if a plant has no delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it does not have psychoactive properties. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that “No public health problems have been associated with the use of pure CBD and there has been no known association with potential for dependence or abuse, unlike most pharmaceutical alternatives. The most commonly reported potential side effects of CBD usage were diarrhea and bloating, with some also reporting nausea.” WHO states that “Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the naturally occurring cannabinoids found in cannabis plants. It is a 21-carbon terpenophenolic compound which is formed following decarboxylation from a cannabidiolic acid precursor, although it can also be produced synthetically.” Click here
Why Purchase CBD Products from IndiGrowth Health & Wellness?
IndiGrowth can provide Canadians with the best organic CBD oil products on the market, in a wide selection from a central supplier. Our natural, non-GMO products include roll-ons, tinctures, water, edibles, tablets, and pet supplements, among others.
When choosing a CBD product for yourself or your pet, choose a product that has been through rigorous lab testing and that is produced by Canadian or US suppliers. IndiGrowth’s CBD products are affordable, high-quality, and our customer service is friendly and dependable. At IndiGrowth we offer both organic full-spectrum and THC-free CBD isolate-based tinctures in different flavors and potencies. Our partnership allows us to offer prices lower than other online licensed wholesale CBD distributors—and lower than prices offered by dispensaries throughout Canada and the US. At our online store our products feature:
● Natural Organic CBD
● Premium Quality CBD
● Non-synthetic products and ingredients.
Our products are:
● Gluten-free
● Non-GMO
● Hand-made
● Fresh
● Industrial hemp-derived
● 3rd party tested for CBD isolate, and
● CBD potency tested.
Organic isolates are extracted from the entire hemp plant, so they are chemical-free. By using an organic, natural CBD oil, you’ll avoid toxins, pesticides, and synthetic compounds. Pure organic CBD products are contaminant-free, helping you to rejuvenate and heal.
CBD as a Natural Supplement
One of the most popular benefits of a full-spectrum hemp CBD oil is that when combined with a high-quality diet and healthy lifestyle, this nutrient-rich supplement is great at helping to fight an array of health issues. CBD is being called a “superfood,” with wellness benefits on par with berries, leafy grCBD as a Superfood?
CBD contains Omega-3 fatty acids that help fight inflammation. In a recent 2017 study reported in Science Daily, researchers “found an enzymatic pathway that converts Omega-3-derived endocannabinoids into more potent anti-inflammatory molecules that predominantly bind to the receptors found in the immune system.” This finding demonstrates how Omega-3 fatty acids can produce some of the same medicinal qualities as marijuana, but without a psychotropic effect.
Cannabidiol as a Superfood for Humans and Pets
Cannabidiol contains minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium; antioxidants; and vitamins A, E, and C. These can provide protection from the free-radicals that we’re all exposed to in living day-to-day. CBD also offers all twenty-one amino acids—which are the building blocks of protein—and it contains phyto-cannabinoids, terpenes, and fatty acids … all of which help with stress relief in both pets and humans.
Full Spectrum CBD Oil
Whether you’re purchasing a CBD product for your pet or for yourself, your most important considerations are ensuring you are buying the purest, highest quality CBD product and checking the amount of CBD your product contains. The most potent product is an isolate or a full spectrum oil, because these are derived from the entire plant. Look for the “pure” CBD content mg amount stated on the ingredient label as a percentage. If you’re confused about a CBD product, contact IndiGrowth to find out more.
Consuming CBD with a high-fat food helps with bioavailability
Research has also demonstrated that in order to increase the efficacy of any CBD product, you’ll need to take it with a high-fat food.
A 2019 research study from the University of Minnesota reported in Science Daily explored whether eating high-fat foods after consuming CBD would increase the body’s absorption of CBD. The study concluded that:
● CBD exposure is vastly increased when CBD is taken with high fatty foods;
● When compared to taking CBD on an empty stomach, taking CBD with food increased the amount of CBD in the body by four times.
According to evolutionary biologists, humans are programmed to search out
sugary foods. Historically, food scarcity would have been common and during
these times finding sugary food would have meant the difference between life
and death. However, in modern times excessive sugar intake is a major threat to
our health and well-being. In Canada, the average intake of added sugar is 10
to 13% of total calorie intake, when the World Health Organization recommends
an intake of less than 5%. At 5%, an average person consuming 1800kcal per day
would be consuming no more than 22.5g of added sugar. Most 12 oz soft drinks
contain close to 40 grams of added sugar.
Sugar intake is high on the agenda of international and national health
organizations. The generic term sugar refers to carbohydrates, found in fruits,
vegetables, grains, and milk, amongst other foods. The term added sugar refers
to non-intrinsic sugars, meaning sugar that has been added during the
processing or production of a food or drink. There is a proven association
between intakes of added sugars and increased dental problems such as; dental
cavities, infection, and inflammation ([1]). But the negative impact of
sugar consumption goes so much deeper than this and to understand the impact of
added sugar on health, it helps to understand the destiny of sugars when they
enter our body.
Added sugars consist of glucose and fructose; for instance honey is 55% fructose and 45% glucose; white table sugar is 100% sucrose, which is made up of 50% fructose and 50% glucose. Glucose is the preferred energy source for our body and fructose can be converted to glucose if required. When sugar is consumed, the pancreas acts as the gatekeeper, deciding its fate; either it is used immediately as energy, or it is stored. If more sugar enters the blood than is required to power our energy expenditure, the pancreas secretes the hormone, insulin, which engineers the storage of sugar in our cells or in the liver.
If our body is working efficiently we use the sugar for energy, and any excess is stored in cells, or in the liver as glycogen, a stored form of glucose that can be accessed later. However, one issue is the speed at which sugar enters the blood supply. With some sugary drinks containing 40g of sugar with no beneficial nutrients, the sugar rapidly enters the blood. Our body has no immediate requirement for such a high quantity of sugar, unless said person is running a marathon at the time, so insulin is secreted at great volume to reduce the impact of this sugar ‘hit’ and the excess is stored as fat, resulting in weight-gain.
Blood
sugar:
The spike in
blood sugar following high intakes of sugary foods or drinks are accompanied by
a subsequent dip, and since sugar is the primary food for the brain, it is
dangerous for blood sugar to drop low. The result is cravings for more sugar,
creating another spike in blood sugar and subsequent dip, sending the
individual on a roller-coaster ride in terms of energy and appetite. The
pancreas secretes insulin when required and if this pattern continues insulin
resistance can develop, which is the path towards a number of health conditions
known as metabolic syndrome. Some components associated with metabolic syndrome
are health issues such as; abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels, high
blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, obesity, high blood sugar, and
type-2-diabetes.
The impact of high-sugar diets on insulin levels has another detrimental
effect. High insulin interferes with the function of leptin, the hormone that
regulates our appetite and fat storage. Overstimulation of insulin results in
the body becoming less sensitive to leptin, meaning the message that we are
full does not reach the brain. It is then common to over-consume calories,
paving the path for overweight and obesity.
The glycaemic index classifies carbohydrates according to speed at which that food increases blood sugar with foods classified as 0 having a negligible effect, to 100, having a strong effect. Glucose has a value of 100. Fructose, on the other hand, has a much lower glycaemic index of 30 because it follows a different pathway to glucose and is metabolized by the liver. For this reason, fructose has been hailed a savior for diabetics due to its potential to aid glycaemic control. But fructose has its own drawbacks.
Fructose:
Fructose is
more strongly associated with fat storage, with large amounts being transformed
by the liver into triglycerides, or storage fat cells. Elevated triglycerides
is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Fructose is present in fruit,
vegetables, and honey, but is always present in nature as a combination with
glucose. Even high-fructose corn syrup is not as high in fructose as the name
would suggest, usually containing 55% fructose to 45% glucose. Studies show
that excessive consumption of added fructose can result in increased visceral
fat, a dangerous type of fat accumulating around the abdomen and internal
organs, such as the liver and heart. Elevated visceral fat leads to
inflammation and increased risk of inflammatory conditions.
The
Good News:
The good news is that the negative impact of both fructose and glucose on
the body is dose dependent. When we eat nutritious foods that contain sugars,
the sugar is absorbed slowly. Researchers looking at adverse effects of dietary
fructose found that serum fructose rose by a negligible amount following
consumption of whole-foods containing fructose ([2]). When consuming sugars in
food, the fat and protein content of that food will help to slow down the
absorption of the sugar and its impact of on your body. In terms of dental
caries, frequency is considered to be the determining factor; whereby having a
sugary snack once a day might be fine, eating foods with added sugars
frequently throughout the day is associated with higher risk ([3]).
There are some very good alternatives to white sugar available, with
stevia, xylitol, coconut sugar and organic honey all being arguably better than
their highly refined counterparts, white sugar and high fructose corn syrup.
Below you will find some of the pros and cons of each.
Stevia:
Stevia, sometimes referred to as E
960, is a 100% natural, refined powder made from an extract of the leaves of Stevia Rebaudiana and is 200 to 300
times sweeter than white table sugar([4]). Technically,
stevia is not a sugar, but a naturally sourced nutritive sweetener boasting
many benefits over white sugar; it is considerably sweeter, meaning less is
required to sweeten recipes; it contains zero calories; it is not damaging to
teeth; and substituting sugar for stevia has been found to benefit skin
problems like eczema and dermatitis.
Stevia consumption
has also been found to reduce blood pressure and blood sugar, whilst increasing
blood glucose tolerance in some clinical trials. The successful trials tended
to be longer-term studies, with single-dose studies showing less impact,
suggesting that regular consumption gives the best results ([5]).
An impressive résumé!
There are certain
drawbacks in that the texture and taste of stevia is quite different to sugar.
Since stevia is so much sweeter than sugar, when substituting it in recipes you
need significantly less stevia. For the best results, use recipes created with
stevia in mind, or try combining stevia with another sugar alternative, like
coconut sugar.
In our online store ( hyperlink to IndiGrowth’s shop page- sugar substitutes) you can find stevia in powdered form by Nunaturals, Frontier, Sweet Leaf, and Wholesome Sweeteners, and in liquid form by Nunaturals, Wisdom Naturals, and Sweet Leaf, with the latter producing liquid stevia sweet drops in a range of delicious flavors.
In our online store ( hyperlink to IndiGrowth’s shop page- sugar substitutes) you can find stevia in powdered form by Nunaturals, Frontier, Sweet Leaf, and Wholesome Sweeteners, and in liquid form by Nunaturals, Wisdom Naturals, and Sweet Leaf, with the latter producing liquid stevia sweet drops in a range of delicious flavors.
Xylitol:
Xylitol is a
naturally occurring sugar alcohol made from an extract of birch or beechwood or
the fibrous parts of plants. Previously this sugar was mostly found in
commercially prepared foods, but is becoming more popular as a sugar substitute
to use at home. Xylosweet, available in our range, boasts;
similar sweetness to
white table sugar;
comparable texture and
taste to white table sugar;
contains 40% less
calories than white table sugar;
exerts a negligible
effect on insulin and blood sugar levels;
has a low glycaemic
index of only 7, and;
is not damaging to
teeth
it may improve calcium absorption and could therefore be
protective against osteoperosis.
You really can
have your cake and eat it!
Xylitol sweetened chewing gum, such as Epic Dental available in our range, has been researched extensively since 1970 for its benefits to oral health. Research has consistently shown that xylitol sweetened chewing gum inhibits the development of dental issues and therefore improves oral health. This health claim has been supported by Health Canada since September 2011 ([6]). Greatest benefits are seen with regular use of at least three times per day.
The main drawback of xylitol is that in large quantities it can have a laxative effect, however research shows that most adults tolerate quantities of up to 40g per day without side effects.
Coconut
sugar:
Coconut sugar
is made from sap extracted from flowers of the coconut palm using little
processing and resulting in a very pure form of sugar. Because processing is
minimal, the sugar retains small quantities of trace minerals such as; calcium,
potassium, sodium, iron and zinc. Antioxidants such as polyphenols and ascorbic
acid have also been identified in coconut sugar, along with approximately 5% of
the dietary fiber, inulin, a soluble fiber commonly used in probiotic supplements
because it stimulates the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Coconut sugar has a lower sucrose content than white table sugar and a
lower glycaemic index, although reliable data is not available to quantify the
exact index score. The reduction in glycaemic index is thought to be due to the
fiber content along with certain proteins contained in coconut sap, which can
slow down the metabolism and digestion of sugars.[7]
The coconut sugar available in our online store is by Madhava, a company committed to sourcing organic and non-GMO farmers to produce their products. The result is a delicious, unrefined product that tastes the same as brown sugar. Since coconut sugar is a pure form of sugar, it should be consumed mindfully.
Organic
honey:
Organic honey
is the pure, unprocessed sweet liquid made by bees from the nectar of flowers.
Since ancient times honey has been considered a medicine, used for healing
wounds and burns, for aiding digestive disorders, and for supporting immunity.
Organic honey contains vitamins and minerals, but its strength lies in its a
rich content of antioxidant molecules such as phenolic acids and flavonoids ([8]).
The PubMed database holds thousands of research papers on honey and its
antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, anticancer and antidiabetic
actions, to name just a few.
Studies have demonstrated benefits of honey consumption for individuals
with diabetes, such as improving fat metabolism, lowering LDL-cholesterol and
triglycerides and improving post-meal glucose response (8). However, honey
consumption is beneficial for all. Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation
play a role in the development of numerous diseases; and honey has a both a
strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action. Honey has been found to reduce
markers of inflammation such as C-reactive protein (8).
Honey contains 82% sugar and has a glycaemic index of between 45 and 64 and should be used sparingly both because of its impact on blood sugar, but also because it increases the risk of dental caries. Although some research suggests that it is less damaging to teeth than pure white sugar, thought to be due to its antibacterial activity that may deactivate cariogenic bacteria.
We carry a range of organic honey, some of the brands we carry include:
Madhava, Wholesome Sweeteners and Honey Gardens, all are non-GMO, pure and
unfiltered. We also stock a hypoallergenic sunflower butter sweetened with pure
honey by Wild Friends, along with honey-sweetened organic energy chews by Honey
Stinger.
Why not try out a delicious coconut chia pudding sweetened with any one of these alternatives to refined sugar that are available on our websites store (hyperlink to IndiGrowth’s shop section – sugar substitutes) Our recipe contains honey, but xylitol, stevia or coconut sugar would also work well. Coconut chia puddings are not just for dessert, they also make an excellent breakfast.
[3]
European Food Safety Authority. Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference
Values for carbohydrates and dietary fibre. EFSA
Journal. 2010;8(3): 1462.
[4] Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food
Additives (JECFA). Steviol glycosides (addendum). In: 69th Meeting
of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. World Health
Organization (WHO): Geneva. 2009;60: 183-219.
[5]
Samuel P, Ayoob K, Magnuson BA, Wölwer-Rieck U, Jeppesen PB, Rogers PJ,
et al. Stevia leaf to stevia sweetener: exploring its science, benefits, and
future potential. The Journal of Nutrition. 2018;148(7): 1186S-1205S. Available from:
https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxy102
[7] Syamala
Devi N, HariPrasad T, Ramesh K, Merugu R. Antioxidant properties of coconut sap
and its sugars. International Journal of
PharmTech Research. 2015;8: 160-162.
[8]
Cianciosi D, Forbes-Hernaández TY, Afrin S, Gasparrini M,
Reboredo-Rodriguez P, Manna PP, et al. Phenolic Compounds in Honey and their
associated Health Benefits: a Review. Molecules.
2018;23(9). Available from: doi:10.3390/molecules23092322.
Our goal at IndiGrowth is to promote physical, mental, and spiritual well-being through our website and our social media channels. We want to empower you to take control of your destiny, to make significant improvements in your personal and professional life, and to realize your greatest potential.
