The medical use of marijuana and its legalization have been hot topics of debate for decades. Although there is evidence that marijuana has value in treating people with cancer, AIDS or other terminal illnesses, marijuana continues to remain illegal and as a substance with no accepted medical use under Federal law in the United States.
Although on a federal level marijuana is not legalized, the use of medical marijuana is now legal in 19 states, and there are 12 states with pending legislation to legalize it for medical purposes.
Now investigators have found one more favorable effect associated with regular marijuana use.
A cross-sectional study conducted by National Health and Nutrition Survey, which analyzed the impact of marijuana use on glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance among U.S. adults, has found that marijuana users have better blood sugar control.
As part of the study, data from 4,657 adult men and women were analyzed. Of the participants in the study, 579 were current marijuana users, 1,975 were past users and 2,103 had never used marijuana.
The participants' fasting insulin and glucose were measured via blood samples following a nine hour fast, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated to evaluate insulin resistance.
According to the analysis, current marijuana use was associated with 16% lower fasting insulin levels and 17% lower HOMA-IR, the insulin resistance index. In addition current marijuana use was associated with higher HDL-C levels and lower waist circumference.
Note that high-density lipoprotein is positively associated with a decreased risk of coronary heart disease while waist circumference can predict one's diabetes risk. Larger the waist circumference, the greater is the risk for type 2 diabetes.
The survey findings are reported in the current issue of The American Journal of Medicine.
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