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Thursday 23 April 2015

Israeli Scientists Testing Cannabis Treatment for Diabetes

Israeli scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have tracked down a specific chemical compound in the cannabis plant, a cannabinoid called “cannabidiol” that researchers say can be used to treat diabetes.
The best source for cannabidiol, or CBD as it is called, appears to be hemp – a plant with no potential for abuse and which has no psychoactive properties.
Dr. Raphael Mechoulam is the researcher known for discovering CBD as well as his collaboration with researcher Dr. Ruth Gallily, also from Hebrew University. It was Mechoulam who discovered receptors for cannabinoids not only in the brain, but elsewhere as well, in other body tissues. The discovery opened up an entirely new area of research into how coucannabinoids could be modified to fit different receptors, and thereby treat different illnesses.
Meanwhile, the discovery is already heading to market. An Israeli company called ISA Scientific has recently signed a worldwide collaboration and licensing deal with Yissum, the technology-transfer company of Hebrew University, as well as Hadasit, the technology-transfer company of Hadassah Medical Organization of Jerusalem, and KIR, the Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research in the UK.
The agreement backs the creation and development of specific therapies using cannabidiol (CBD) by the inter-disciplinary research team headed by Mechoulam. KIR director and immunologist Sir Marc Feldman is also involved in the effort, as are Hadassah researchers and physicians Chaim Lotan, Lolan Weiss and Ronen Durst.
Phase I clinical trials on dosing and safety are now underway in Israel, according to ISA Scientific CEO Mark J. Rosenfeld. “Arrangements for Phase 2 trials on treating diabetes and chronic pain are in process,” he said in a statement.
Rosenfeld added that the firm’s Israeli research and development team had been working on the issue of an oral delivery system. Very little CBD reaches the bloodstream when taken by mouth, according to an article posted to the Israel21c news website, necessitating a more efficient system. The problem was solved “with propietary nanotechnology” currently being integrated into the firm’s clinical trials.
According to Rosenfeld, CBD seems to have no major side effects, and apparently does not affect activities such as work, school, sports or driving. More to the point, the company says in a statement on its website that it is working towards creating a way to “control diabetes into the medical market place.
“CBD may even help prevent diabetes.”
Graham

6 comments:

Jennifer said...

Interesting news for diabetics. Thanks for sharing!

Red Rose Alley said...

This is interesting, Jan. Thanks for sharing. I just found out recently that my nephew has diabetes.

I hope you are enjoying the spring days. It's getting warmer here every day.

~Sheri

Lowcarb team member said...

Hi Jennifer - many thanks for your comment ...and as the saying goes "its good to share". Have a good weekend.

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Hi Sheri - many thanks for your comment ...hope your nephew has found good care and information and is able to control his blood sugar numbers. Obviously feel free to point him to the low carb diabetic website, which can be found here http://www.lowcarbdiabetic.co.uk/

Yes, we have had some good Spring Days here in the UK - it's one of my favourite seasons.

Enjoy your weekend

All the best Jan

homelife said...

I'v never heard the effect of Cannabis before seeing your blog. This article is so packed with useful information.
Additional, I want to share my experience here.
Food is like medicine!
Eat plant based, clean food with that will release its healing power into your system.
So, like me, you can delude yourself into thinking you could never incorporate such a diet like this into your lifestyle OR, you can try it …and…like me…be amazed at how great it tastes, how fantastic it makes you feel and, wonder of wonders, you can eat as much as you want......and save your life!
I reviewed it on my site: www.wje592.com/i-am-finally-free-of-diabetes/
Again – Diabetes is preventable and reversible!
All the best,
Sara

Lowcarb team member said...

Hi Sara - many thanks for your kind comment.Type 2 Diabetes is 'reversible', eat whole fresh foods and cut down on sugars and carbohydrates. There are many article on this blog about that. A LCHF lifestyle can help so many.

All the best Jan