A study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology indicated that cannabidinol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) can support metabolic health and decrease liver fat. The two cannabis compounds create a backup energy reserve in the liver and break down harmful waste to improve liver function.
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is currently the most common chronic liver disorder in the world. It affects approximately one-third of the adult population and is closely linked to obesity, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance. Only a few pharmaceutical treatments are available, so the study’s findings offer key insights into how CBD and CBG facilitate "metabolic remodeling" that promotes liver function.
One finding revealed the impact on the liver's energy reserves. The two cannabis compounds increase phosphocreatine levels and help the liver function under the stress caused by a high-fat diet. Study author Dr. Joseph Tam explained that the findings identified “a new mechanism by which CBD and CBG enhance hepatic energy and lysosomal function." Tam described the effects of CBD and CBG as dual metabolic remodeling that contributes to improved liver lipid handling and provides therapeutic effects for MASLD.
Another finding indicated that CBD and CBG restore the activity of cathepsins, which are enzymes that act like cleaning agents within the cell's lysosomes. They enhance the liver’s ability to break down and eliminate harmful fats. Both CBD and CBG treatments significantly decreased harmful lipids, such as triglycerides and ceramides, which help cause liver inflammation and insulin resistance.
The research team observed that CBD and CBG offered slightly different benefits for metabolic health. Both CBD and CBG helped normalize blood sugar levels and enhance the body’s ability to manage glucose. They also noted that CBG had a more pronounced effect on decreasing body fat mass and improving insulin sensitivity more effectively than CBD. The study suggested that CBG was very effective at reducing total cholesterol and "bad" LDL cholesterol levels.
Sources: British Journal of Pharmacology, Science Daily
