Nutrition and ECS

             Nutrition Basics

The Endocannabinoid System is mediated by endocannabinoids, which are synthesized from omega-3 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA, and eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA) or omega-6 (arachidonic acid, ARA) fatty acids. There are different forms of Omega 3 and 6, the main ones are ALA, EPA and DHA Omega 3 and LA, ARA and GLA Omega 6. Omega fatty acids can be found in numerous places such as seeds, nuts, water plants and marine animals

• Precursors for endocannabinoids are Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)
• “Tissue levels of endocannabinoids are in part regulated by the activity of the corresponding biosynthetic precursors and in part by catabolic enzymes, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) or monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL).”
• PUFAs are derived from DHA, EPA Omega 3 or ARA Omega-6
• Sufficient levels of Omega 3 and 6 are necessary for ECS activation, regulation and homeostasis.
• Endocannabinoids mediate body homeostasis by signaling the ECSOmega-3 fatty acids have been shown to improve body composition through different obesity related metabolic changes.
  • Most likely these changes are due to activation of the ECS

The 3 main types of Omega-3

Sources of DHA and EPA Omega 3 and their mercury levels

EPA/DHA Omega 3

• DHA and EPA Omega 3 FA are produced by algae and other water plants and dominant in marine animals.
• DHEA and EPEA are derivatives of DHA and EPA omega 3.
  • Studies show their antiproliferative affects to be more potent than their parent omega 3 (DHA and EPA) in cancers such as prostate
• EPA and DHA are absorbed differently with different foods
• Pay attention to farm raised versus fresh caught seafood
  • Farm raised has a different diet and will not contain the same amount of Omegas

• EPA has been studied for its anti-cachexic role. EPA has the ability to stop the breakdown of muscle
  • EPA is anti-catabolic and therefore helps prevent muscle breakdown. Various pathways are activated and used to complete this process. See image below.
  • When DHA intake increase, omega 3 fatty acids get metabolized preferentially over omega 6 and omega 9 fatty acids
• EPA and DHA have also been shown to attenuate “fat accumulation and ameliorating lipid metabolism.”This helps turn fat storage cells into fat burning cells.

EPA on various roles of muscle activity

DHA/EPA and Cancer

• DHA and EPA omega-3 have been studied for their anti-proliferative effects in cancer cell lines and in animal models.
  • One study shows DHEA and EPEA to induce their anti-proliferative affects through activating autophagia in breast cancer.
  • DHEA and EPEA were also shown to be more potent anti-proliferative agents than their parent DHA and EPA omega 3 in prostate cancer
  • Another study provides evidence that DHA and EPA Omega 3 are associated with lower incidence of breast cancer.

• DHA is beneficial in improving memory and cognition. Low levels of DHA have been linked to Schizophrenia, depression and memory loss.

 Foods That Interact With the ECS 

Cannabinoid like compounds are found in many different foods and plants. Many of these compounds can inhibit cannabinoid breakdown, can mimic cannabinoid affects and can also interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors. Binding or interacting with receptors will cause an up or downregulation of the ECS.

• Beta-caryophyllene (BCP) is found in many spices including pepper. It can be found in cannabis, cloves, hops and rosemary. BCP is a CB2 receptor agonist
• 3,3′‐ DiIndolylMethane (DIM) is found in Brassicaceae vegetables which includes cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale. DIM is also a CB2 receptor agonist.
• Falcarinol is found in foods like carrots and ginseng. This compound is a CB1 inverse agonist or antagonist.
• One study showed “certain flavonoids inhibit fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which is the enzyme responsible for the breakdown of the endogenous CB receptor ligand anandamide.”Genistein and Daidzein are two other compounds found in food. These two phytochemicals are found specifically in Fava beans and Soy. Both Genistein and Daidzein are FAAHinhibitors/AEA uptake inhibitors.
  • Kaempferol is another flavonoid widespread in many plant essential oils. Kaempferol has been shown to be a FAAH Inhibitor
• 2‐Arachidonoyl Glycerol (2AG), an endocannabinoid, is found in bovine, goat and human milk.
• CBC, CBD, CBG, CBN are cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Hemp Seed is found to have the most abundant cannabinoid profile. There are roughly 80 different phyto-cannabinoids. Hemp seed provides the best boost to the ECS due to its cannabinoid profile.

Digestion and the ECS

• “The endocannabinoid system exerts strong influences on digestive health.”Probiotics like Lactobacillus acidophilluscan activate CB2 receptors. This observation may account for the efficacy of probiotics in digestive disorders in which inflammation and intestinal permeability are increased

Pesticides and the ECS

• Pesticides like organophosphates OP insecticides, such as chlorpyrifos (CPS) and diazinon interfere with ECS signaling.
  • Choosing foods that are organic, cleaned well or home grown will help eliminate the OP’s and dysfunction to the ECS