Recently, researchers from Quebec looked into why levels of Type 2 diabetes were so low among Inuit.
The study, called "Cannabis use in relation to obesity and insulin resistance in the Inuit population," analysed health data from 786 adults in Nunavik, and the results took them by surprise.
"People who smoked marijuana had lower [body mass index], lower amounts of fat on their bodies, and two-times lower risk of being obese," said co-author Michel Lucas, an epidemiologist at CHU de Québec Research Center.
He says that because marijuana users had lower BMI, they were less resistant to insulin, therefore less at risk for diabetes.
Lucas believes food insecurity in Nunavik might have influenced the results.
"When you suffer from hunger, you could try to use these substances to stop thinking about food."
3 in 5 people smoke pot
The population under scrutiny may be unique in other ways.
Almost 60 per cent of respondents, or three people out of five, said that they were marijuana users.
"When we look at the Northern population, it's very young, and we know that the marijuana smoking prevalence is higher amongst youth," he said.
Some activists believe Northerners should have access to marijuana. They say it could decrease alcohol abuse, and help treat chronic illnesses where access to health care is limited.
Unlike Dr. Lucas, Kim MacNearney, an activist based in Yellowknife, says she's not surprised by these new findings.
"On a cellular level, our bodies have a whole bunch of receptors that are designed to receive cannabinoids. So it didn't surprise me at all that it would impact our metabolisms and insulin intake," she said.
Dr. Lucas is quick to point out, however, that despite his findings he does not endorse the use of marijuana.
"If you look at the literature, it seems clear that the adverse effects of marijuana outweigh the benefits," he said.
We might not see marijuana weight loss pills on the market anytime soon, but MacNearney says that more studies like this one are coming out every day.
Obviously they were not traditional Inuits in this study
Graham
15 comments:
And I'm thinking...what about the famous "munchies" that are related to smoking MJ?
I personally think it should be legalized and taxed. We would have plenty of money and the jails might be less full...I know that is exaggerated but just saying...I suspect it may be less harmful than cigarettes. I'm one of the two in five that don't smoke it. I do know it has aided people to endure radiation therapy easier and I know they use it for glaucoma.
Sorry, Eddie, I clog up the comments here answering Jan but also thank you, I am learning a lot. Your articles are will written, easy to understand and I've learned some great things.
Thanks, Jan, for visiting and your kind comments.
The shelf was a great success but the short rack is for shoes with heels. I turned it backwards on the top shelf of the closet and it works perfect that way. Boxes are full with hats and caps, one drawer holds belts and the other is reserved for bow ties if we can find one. The shelf with no box was perfect for his cowboy boots. A wonderful solution. Andrew has cleaned closet to hand to the next grandson and soon we will be ready for school.
Have a blessed evening, both of you!
Usually all drug junkies which shown on TV look thin or very thin, but horrible never the less.They say that marijuana is way more benign than most mind-altering substances, but it is not without side-effects. I remember Dr.Emily Dean's comment how long-term marijuana users usually have much more trouble to form a sentence than non-users.
Wonder what Dr Jay Wortman http://www.drjaywortman.com/ might have to say on the topic, oh his blog hasn't been updated for a couple of years now.
How very interesting!xxx
Hi Chris
Jay is a very busy Man but has become a good friend. Check him out here.
http://thelowcarbdiabetic.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/dr-jay-wortman-whistler-peak-to-creek.html
Not bad for a diabetic low carber and 60 odd years of age.
Eddie
Hello Gail, and many thanks for your comments and thoughts, they are always good to read.
I think an interesting read about 'munchies' and marijuana can be found here http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/scientific-explanation-how-marijuana-causes-munchies-180949660/?no-ist
There is certainly a lot of folks who feel that legalizing some drugs would help the current situation.
We do our best to report / write on a lot of different issues, a magazine type style but the underlying message is always the LCHF lifestyle. We believe this lifestyle can be beneficial to many (and not just diabetics).
As always it is a personal choice.
I thought your shelf turned out really well on your post here http://gailatthefarm.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/working-with-what-i-have.html
Have a wonderful weekend
All the best Jan ... Eddie, Graham, all at the low carb team!
Hi Galina and many thanks for your comment, it is always good to receive and read them.
Drug awareness, like drink awareness, should always be forefront in peoples minds ... although for some this isn't always the case.
Dr Emily Deans has written a lot of interesting articles and I think one can be seen here http://evolutionarypsychiatry.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/more-about-mysteries-of-cannabis.html
All the best Jan
Many thanks for your comment Snowbird - we do our best to bring a wide range of posts.
Hope you have a lovely weekend
All the best Jan
Jan, it looks like my recollections from Dr.Emily's article lack a lot of facts, after reading her article, marijuana doesn't appear tempting at all. Actually, I was never tempted to try it in any form mainly because the the exhaled smoke from another person smoking caused my first asthma attack.
I used to suffer from an abnormal appetite and a food used to taste absolutely amazing before I started to eat a LC diet. I think an abnormal appetite is not a personal feature, but rather a derivative of one's state of health.
I used to toke, back in the day when there was decent stuff on the market like Pakistani Black, Nepalese Temple Balls, Thai Sticks etc. I used to buy some and smoke it until it was gone, then take a break for a while, and treat it like a fine wine, something to enhance an evening.
Then it all became Moroccan and mostly third rate quality, which was about when I gave up.
This modern skunk stuff has markedly different content and effects and doesn't tempt me at all. Yes it works on anandamide receptors and anandamide is one of multitudes of chemicals which are active in metabolism, I well remember the Munchies so I'd have thought it would tend to cause weight gain.
I think we'd be better off legalising it and taxing it, then perhaps some of the quality would return.
Many thanks for your return comment Galina. There are many good studies available to read, from which we can determine our views. As Dr. Lucas was quick to point out, that despite his findings he does not endorse the use of marijuana. "If you look at the literature, it seems clear that the adverse effects of marijuana outweigh the benefits,"
With regard to a LCHF diet / lifestyle, I think this can benefit so many, and although this blog is called the low carb diabetic, I do think non diabetics can benefit to, as can people who suffer from say epilepsy http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/284596.php ... but that's another subject.
Wishing you a good weekend.
All the best Jan
Hi Chris - very interesting to read your thoughts and comments.Perhaps it would be most interesting if there could be a referendum to ask people 'should marijuana be legalised / taxed?'...Maybe we've had enough talk of referendums in the UK at present?
All the best Jan
It looked likely when it was semi-decriminalised for a while, then this stuff started emerging about skunk causing psychosis, some of which was based on kids smoking in an evening what I would use in a couple of weeks or a month. Of course if the Police didn't have pot smokers and growers to worry about they night have to go after criminals, you know, those nasty people with guns and knives . . .
Thanks for your thoughts Chris ...
All the best Jan
chris c said...
It looked likely when it was semi-decriminalised for a while, then this stuff started emerging about skunk causing psychosis, some of which was based on kids smoking in an evening what I would use in a couple of weeks or a month. Of course if the Police didn't have pot smokers and growers to worry about they night have to go after criminals, you know, those nasty people with guns and knives . . .
Easy targets these days Chris, the real villains are off the hook.
Eddie
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