According to research, the food consumed with CBD may have a significant impact on the amount of CBD absorbed by the body. The importance of bioavailability cannot be overstated. For best effect, your dog will need to take more CBD if the bioavailability is low. The higher the bioavailability, the better the results.
In the past, scientists believed administering CBD on an empty stomach would be most effective. Now, studies have shown CBD will stay in the body for longer periods of time when fatty foods have been consumed prior to administration. Since CBD is fat-soluble, when the stomach contains fatty foods, the oil is often taken up by the body at higher levels (more CBD is absorbed).
We’re not suggesting that you feed your dog a fatty, unhealthy lunch before giving him CBD. To maximize the efficacy of the CBD oil, we do recommend that your dog be served a hearty meal before receiving her usual dose.
How Does Food Affect Bioavailability?
The amount of time and rate at which a substance is absorbed into the bloodstream, as well as how much is eliminated without having any impact, is referred to as bioavailability. The amount of CBD oil to give in each dose and how quickly your dog feels the effects of the tincture are determined by bioavailability.
For maximum bioavailability, the most effective method is to apply directly to the gums. Simply elevate your dog’s lip and press the dropper on his gums.
The drug is absorbed through the mucous membrane of the mouth, allowing the full-spectrum tincture to bypass the digestive process and enter the bloodstream directly. The number of cannabinoids lost in the digestion process is reduced when cannabinoids are applied to the gums.
CBD with Food
According to recent research, consuming CBD with food could greatly improve bioavailability. A study published by the University of Minnesota observed how CBD affects adult patients with epilepsy with and without food in their bodies. There were eight patients in the study. All received a single dose of 99% pure CBD capsules. They were instructed to take the CBD while fasting. Then, they were to eat a high-fat diet.
Results from the study showed that, when CBD is administered with fatty foods, the amount of CBD in the body increases four-fold.
According to Harvard Medical School, conventional fats and oils are high-energy fuels for the body. Fatty foods are more readily absorbed by the body; that’s why they are so helpful in increasing the bioavailability of CBD.
Recommended Foods to Eat Before CBD Administration
The best types of foods contain medium and long-chain triglycerides (fatty acids). Foods with these fatty acids include:
- Coconut oil
- Olive oil
- Sesame oil
- Fish
- Nuts
- Avocado
- Eggs
Don’t Put CBD on the Food
It’s important to note that these studies are not recommending you place the CBD directly ON the food you’re providing (or consuming). They are suggesting a diet high in fat prior to the administration of CBD.
CBD in our pets’ food takes longer to enter the bloodstream, resulting in decreased absorption rates in most cases. When a tincture is applied directly to food, it must pass through the digestive tract and the filtration system of the body. When the oil is added to food rather than absorbed through the gums or inner ear, less medicine reaches the portions of the body that need it, and more medicine is required to get the same effect.
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