| Another research paper has just been published that | | | | of signaling hormones, proteins and cell receptors that |
| shows how plant based compounds can help to | | | | respond to the ever-changing demands on bone |
| contain the brittle bone disease, osteoporosis. | | | | tissue and other physiological processes. If there are |
| Scientists at the Institute of Medical Sciences, | | | | too many osteoclasts, or if these cells become |
| University of Aberdeen, UK have discovered how a | | | | overactive, they will resorb more matrix than the |
| non-psychoactive compound in cannabis, cannabidiol | | | | osteoblasts can produce. A predominance of |
| helps to maintain bone strength. | | | | osteoclast activity results in the bone becoming less |
| The endocannabinoid system is a group of cell | | | | dense - the principal characteristic of the clinical |
| receptors that are activated by a group of | | | | condition known as osteoporosis. |
| endogenous lipids as well as compounds derived from | | | | The Aberdeen researchers have discovered that |
| the cannabis plant. The cannabinoid receptors are | | | | cannabidiol binds to a specific cannabinoid receptor on |
| involved in a variety of physiological processes | | | | the bone-resorbing osteoblast cells. By so doing it |
| including appetite control, pain, memory and mood. | | | | inhibits these cells from resorbing the bone matrix - |
| Recent research has shown that the endocannabinoid | | | | thereby helping to prevent further weakening of the |
| system also has a strong influence on bone | | | | bones. |
| metabolism, as the receptors are well represented on | | | | This is not the first time that plant compounds have |
| osteoclasts - cells whose principal function is to | | | | been shown to influence bone metabolism in favour |
| resorb (thin out) bone. | | | | of stronger bones. In January 2009 researchers at |
| Bone is an active, living tissue that is being | | | | Oklahoma State University in the USA found that, |
| continuously formed, remodeled and shaped in | | | | even in the presence of oxidative stress and |
| response to both physical and physiological needs of | | | | systemic inflammation, polyphenols derived from |
| the body. Bone matrix consists primarily of the | | | | plums inhibit the action of the bone-softening |
| macronutrients calcium, magnesium and phosphate | | | | osteoclasts but enhance the generation and activity |
| and is the material that makes up both the dense | | | | of bone-building osteoblasts. |
| parts of the bone and the bone marrow framework. | | | | For those who hope that smoking pot will help to |
| Many people still believe that if one eats foods rich in | | | | strengthen their bones, they do so in vain. Although |
| these minerals then they will avoid developing | | | | wild cannabis contains up to 40% cannabidiol, |
| osteoporosis. Epidemiological and other evidence | | | | cultivated varieties contain very little of this |
| suggests that this is not necessarily the case. | | | | compound. The important point arising from this |
| When it comes to bone health and disease the | | | | research, in my opinion, is that it shows how vital |
| integrated processes that control the formation and | | | | plant compounds are in the prevention of chronic |
| resorption bone are just as important as the | | | | degenerative diseases such as osteoporosis. There |
| availability of calcium, magnesium and phosphate. | | | | are bound to be many other phytonutrients in other |
| The formation and resorbtion of bone matrix is | | | | food plants that have a positive influence on bone |
| controlled by two main cell types: | | | | metabolism - they just have not been "discovered" |
| 1) Osteoblasts are bone cells that are responsible for | | | | yet. |
| the formation of bone matrix | | | | While we wait for that research to be carried out, it |
| 2) Osteoclasts are modified white blood cells | | | | is important to eat (not smoke) a wide range of |
| responsible for the resorption of bone tissue. | | | | vegetables, fruit and spices to ensure an adequate |
| These two cell types are controlled by a complex set | | | | intake of a host of beneficial phytonutrients. |