Pot smokers are skinnier: study – MSN

Posted on May 20, 2013 by David

“People who smoke marijuana have smaller waists and are less likely to have insulin resistance, according to a controversial US study.”

“Despite the fact that the marijuana-induced “munchies” usually makes users eat more calories than non-smokers, users don’t appear to gain weight like people who don’t smoke.Researchers from the University of Nebraska, the Harvard School of Public Health and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre studied more than 4600 adults.Twelve percent of the participants were current marijuana users and 42 percent said they had smoked cannabis in the past.

The researchers tested their insulin resistance, cholesterol levels, waist circumference and fasting insulin and glucose levels, and found the pot smokers scored significantly better than the non-smokers, even after they’d factored in other risk factors, such as age, sex, physical activity, alcohol and tobacco use.

The smokers’ insulin levels were 16 percent lower and their insulin resistance was reduced by 17 percent. Insulin resistance is a condition where the body can’t effectively absorb glucose from the blood, and is linked with weight gain.

The pot smokers also had more good cholesterol.

The 42 percent who used to smoke also scored better, however the results were not as significant as the current smokers.

The authors said they’re not sure why it happens, however said the fact marijuana seems to aid insulin regulation and reduce fat gain could also explain why marijuana smokers are less likely to have diabetes”

http://health.msn.co.nz/healthnews/8660133/pot-smokers-are-skinnier-study

Now they’re telling us smoking weed will also help fend off diabetes – MSN

Posted on May 17, 2013 by David

Man smoking a joint (©RL/KEYSTONE USA/Rex Features)

“The magical weed that helps us stay trim, be less crazy, control seizures, cure Crohn’s, rescue the economy and make watching TV game shows more enjoyable is now being credited for possibly reducing the risk of diabetes, too. Analyzing statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey,” researchers uncovered the good news that current marijuana users had 16 percent lower fasting insulin levels and 17 percent lower levels of insulin resistance than their nonstoner friends.

Bonus: Scientists found that pot users also had slimmer waistlines and higher levels of “good” cholesterol.”

http://now.msn.com/marijuana-may-fight-diabetes-researchers-say

Study: Why Pot Smokers Are Skinnier

Posted on May 17, 2013 by David

“Marijuana users had smaller waists and scored higher across several measures of blood sugar regulation.”

“”Marijuana use is associated with an acute increase in caloric intake,” goes the clinical jargon for popular lore. Still despite eating more while high (by some measures, over 600 extra calories per day), marijuana users’ extra intake doesn’t seem to be reflected in increased BMI. Indeed, studies have identified a reduced prevalence of obesity in the pot smoking community…

IMPLICATIONS: Although they’re not sure exactly how it happens, write the authors, these findings suggest that marijuana somehow works to improve insulin control, regulating body weight and perhaps explaining why marijuana users have a lower incidence of diabetes. Adding to the big questions — “can weed can treat obesity?” and “marijuana makes you skinny?!” — is the possibility that marijuana might be useful in helping people to manage their blood sugar.”

Regular Marijuana Users May Be Skinnier, Have Better Blood Sugar Control: Study

Posted on May 17, 2013 by David

“People who regularly smoke marijuana may have better control of their blood sugar and may be skinnier than non-marijuana users, according to a new study.”

“The research, published in the American Journal of Medicine, shows that people who reported regularly using marijuana had a lower risk of insulin resistance and had lower fasting insulin levels, compared with people who never used marijuana. Researchers also found an association between using marijuana and having a smaller waist circumference and higher levels of “good” HDL cholesterol, compared with non-users. The research was conducted by scientists from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, the University of Nebraska and the Harvard School of Public Health.”

Does pot prevent obesity? What new marijuana study says – CBS News

Posted on May 17, 2013 by David

“Move over, fad diets. Scientists have identified something else that might keep off excess weight.

Smoking pot.

That’s right, marijuana users are less likely to be obese than their non-toking counterparts, according to a new study.

Doesn’t pot-smoking cause the munchies?

Actually, the researchers behind the study had been expecting to find that marijuana smokers would weigh more than non-users.

“Cannabis is supposed to increase appetite,” study author Dr. Yann Le Strat, a psychiatrist at Louis-Mourier Hospital in Colombes, France, told MSNBC.

“We found that cannabis users are less likely to be obese than non-users…””

The Marijuana Diet? Scientists find link between pot smoking and weight loss

Posted on May 17, 2013 by David

“Low levels of insulin associated with users of marijuana. Vast ramifications seen.”

“Smoking refer can help you better metabolize fats and carbs.

Go ahead, take another toke — the munchies don’t make you fat.

That’s the conclusion of a report published in the American Journal of Medicine, which found a strong correlation between marijuana use and a smaller waistband.

The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Nebraska, Harvard and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, examined 4,657 adults, 579 of whom regularly smoked reefer.

“We found significant associations between marijuana use and smaller waist circumferences,” the researchers report.

Specifically, potheads had 16% lower levels of insulin than their non-smoking peers.

The hormone regulates metabolism of fat and carbs. The Atlantic noted that the findings perhaps explain why smokers of the wacky tobacky are less prone to diabetes.

Even people who had smoked weed in the past but did not currently puff showed similar, though less striking, results.”

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/smoke-pot-thin-article-1.1345812

Smoking marijuana linked to lower diabetes risk in study – CBS News

Posted on May 17, 2013 by David

A man smokes marijuana on the official opening night of Club 64, a marijuana-specific social club, where a New Year's Eve party was held, in Denver, on Dec. 31, 2012

“You may have heard that marijuana smokers get hungry after using the drug, and the authors of a new study point out that marijuana users tend to take in more calories than their counterparts.

But, their study found that pot smokers aren’t any more likely to be obese than non-smokers. Equally surprising, the researchers found marijuana may actually be a tool in controlling blood sugar — and may be key in helping diabetics keep their condition in check.

The new study, which was published on May 15 in The American Journal of Medicine, showed that regular marijuana use was linked to significantly lower levels of fasting insulin. Smokers were also less likely to be insulin resistant, a condition where the body’s cells no longer respond to a hormone that controls carbohydrates and fat metabolism called insulin. High levels of fasting insulin and insulin resistance could lead to diabetes.”

Could marijuana reduce diabetes risk? – Fox News

Posted on May 17, 2013 by David

“There’s an unexpected link between marijuana use and factors related to Type 2 diabetes that has medical researchers intrigued.”
Smoking marijuana_Reuters_Feb 6 2013.jpg

“Several studies have found that marijuana users take in more food calories than nonusers, but they still have lower rates of obesity and diabetes, and lower average body mass index (BMI) levels.

In a new study, researchers investigated what effects marijuana and its active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) might have on people’s metabolism, especially insulin levels.

Insulin resistance an important risk factor for diabetes is a metabolic disorder that occurs when the body’s cells cannot properly intake insulin. The American Heart Association estimates 35 percent of U.S. adults have metabolic disorders that include insulin resistance.

To examine the link between THC and metabolism, researchers gathered the results of 4,657 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a cross-sectional study administered annually by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Of the study’s participants, 579 were current marijuana users, 1,975 had used the drug in the past but not recently, and 2,103 had never tried marijuana. Researchers analyzed the participants’ fasting insulin levels, cholesterol levels, insulin resistance and waist sizes.

Multiple benefits seen”

Marijuana Helps Control Diabetes, Promotes Good Cholesterol, Leads to Lower Waist Size, and Lowers Bladder Cancer Risk, New Studies Show

Posted on May 17, 2013 by David

“Smoking marijuana has “remarkable” effect on diabetic problems and may lower risk of getting the disease, a study published on Wednesday states

“

“This news comes a few days after a presentation at the annual conference of the American Urological Association that links heavy pot use to a much lower risk of bladder cancer…The more pot, the better: Researchers found that people who used marijuana more than 500 times a year were better off as far as bladder-cancer risk than those who used it infrequently.Whatever problems marijuana may cause, diabetes and bladder cancer apparently aren’t among them.”

More: http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2013/05/marijuana_helps_control_diabet.php

Smoking cannabis could reduce the risk of diabetes by controlling blood sugar

Posted on May 16, 2013 by David

“People who regularly smoke cannabis may have a lower risk of developing diabetes, new research suggests.”

“Marijuana users had significantly lower levels of the hormone insulin – indicating better blood sugar control… could pave the way for the development of treatments using the plant’s compound active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.

Marijuana users had 16% lower fasting insulin levels than non-users.

They were also less likely to be insulin resistant and had smaller waists.

Previous research has found cannabis smokers are less likely to be obese.”