New Technology May Enhance Hemp CBD Bioavailability

Photo © iStockphoto.com/AlenaPaulus

Between the potential health benefits of hemp cannabidiol (CBD) and the controversy surrounding its regulatory status in the United States, CBD is generating plenty of interest in the dietary supplement industry. But now, early test results suggest that a technology from Lexaria Corp. (Vancouver, Canada) may increase CBD’s bioavailability by nearly 500%-possibly making the ingredient even more attractive for dietary supplements.

In previous studies, CBD bioavailability has been found to be significantly lower when consumed orally rather than by smoking, says Lexaria. But these new test results, released in late August, suggest Lexaria’s patent-pending technology could enhance the bioavailability of CBD ingestible products and possibly increase their market potential.

“Increased absorption rates of CBD through Lexaria’s technology can lead to reduced overall dosage requirements, lowering costs to the consumer and reducing the burden on the liver and other internal organs,” says Chris Bunka, CEO, Lexaria. “Simplistically, a bioavailability rate that is 500% theoretically means a consumer can ingest 80% less product and achieve the same expected outcome. This is a dramatic change in the way edibles could be formulated.”

The findings came as a result of an in vitro experiment on a human intestinal tissue model. The testing, conducted by a third party, compared the intestinal absorption effects of Lexaria’s CBD-fortified ViPova TM black tea with the effects of concentration-matched CBD control preparations that did not contain Lexaria’s formulation and process enhancements, according to a press release. The testing revealed that average CBD permeability was 499% greater with Lexaria’s technology than it was in the control group.

Additionally, tests also compared baseline gastro-intestinal permeability of Lexaria’s CBD-fortivied ViPovaTM black tea with a second control of CBD and black tea combined that did not contain Lexaria’s technology. In this case, the Lexaria formulation showed a 325% increase of gastro-intestinal permeability over the control formulation.

“We are thrilled to have generated these positive laboratory results substantiating the effectiveness of our technology,” says Chris Bunka, CEO, Lexaria. “We believe that this only increases the likelihood of our patents being granted in due course since it demonstrates how our technology improves absorption of CBD.”

Bunka says Lexaria is confident its technology could be used to enhance bioavailability in fat soluble vitamins as well, although it would need to be tested on a case-by-case basis.

Lexaria believes that the same technology may also be applied to THC, nicotine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and other lipophilic compounds. The company is considering publishing these findings in a reputable scientific journal.

Read more:

Will Hemp CBD Be a Drug or a Dietary Supplement Ingredient?

What Studies Say about Hemp CBD

Hemp CBD Oil Is Different From 'Hemp Oil'

Michael Crane
Associate Editor
Nutritional Outlook Magazine
michael.crane@ubm.com