If as a chiropractor you sell supplements or are making a consideration, an important one to consider is a combination of CBD plus curcumin
Chiropractic Economics’ 2020 Salary and Expense Survey reveals that roughly 91% of chiropractors practicing within the U.S. sell at least one product. Of these, 52% offer patients access to nutritional products and supplements, tying with hot and cold compresses for the number one type of product sold by chiropractors nationwide. If you fall into this category — or don’t currently offer supplements but would like to start — one to consider is a combination of CBD plus curcumin.
Why? Because both of these ingredients have been found to provide a number of health benefits that, when combined, can offer an even greater effect.
Curcumin, the amazing anti-inflammatory and more
Though curcumin — a polyphenol which is also the primary active ingredient in turmeric, a spice used in curries, teas, and other foods commonly consumed in parts of Asia and the Middle East — has been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes, research reveals that it is only now becoming more understood.
Impacting the body on a cellular level, this active ingredient appears to provide many health benefits, some of which include acting as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial. It also has antimutagenic and anticancer properties. This makes it beneficial for treating inflammatory, metabolic, and pain-based conditions.
Curcumin appears to provide mental health benefits as well. For instance, a 2017 meta-analysis found that this polyphenol offers “significant clinical efficacy” in relieving symptoms of depression while also exhibiting “significant anti-anxiety effects.” This meta-analysis further noted that, of the six trials reviewed, none reported any adverse effects due to curcumin use.
Benefits of CBD
Similarly, use of the industrial hemp plant (a specific type of cannabis plant from which CBD is derived) has a history that dates to 2,800 BCE, yet we are only beginning to learn more about how its extracts can help improve health.
This is due in part to cannabis being listed as a Schedule I controlled substance by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. It wasn’t until the 2018 Farm Bill that this legislation was modified to remove industrial hemp from this definition. This provided greater (and more legal) access to this plant, opening the doors for researchers to do more in-depth research into its benefits.
This research is starting to indicate that CBD shows promise for easing a variety of conditions, both mental and physical in nature. This includes relieving symptoms associated with epilepsy, Parkinson’s, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It has also been found to be helpful with alleviating depression and sleep disorders, even offering an additional level of support for people who are working to overcome substance abuse and dependence.
Advantages of CBD plus curcumin
There are two basic ways to take supplements. One is to purchase each healthful vitamin, mineral, or herb individually. This allows you more control over how much of each you consume, but it also means taking more powders or pills.
The second option is to purchase a product that contains all of the healthful ingredients you want. A multivitamin is a great example of this, with many containing more than a couple dozen different ingredients. In this same way, some products contain both CBD plus curcumin, giving patients a more convenient way to take both.
A word about curcumin bioavailability
Just because a supplement contains a specific amount of a substance doesn’t mean that the body can absorb and use it. This is often the case with curcumin as it tends to have a poor bioavailability rate.
Choosing a supplement that addresses this issue helps increase the likelihood that patients are able to use more of the product’s curcumin, providing greater access to its healthful effects. One option is to select a supplement that also contains medium-chain triglycerides. The reason for this is because research has connected these triglycerides with better curcumin bioavailability.
Some supplements with CBD plus curcumin contain additional vitamins and minerals that are known to positively interact with one or both of these substances. For example, studies have found that curcumin has a positive effect on vitamin D receptors, facilitating their ability to use more of this nutrient.
The Office of Dietary Supplements shares that vitamin D is necessary for bone growth and remodeling. It also works to reduce inflammation while boosting immunity at the same time. Thus, consuming a supplement with CBD plus curcumin that also contains vitamin D provides even more benefit.
