Prior acute exercise restores postprandial fat oxidation in active cannabis users

Abstract

Data suggest cannabis users have similar or lower levels of blood lipids compared to nonusers. However, the extent to which cannabis users experience postprandial lipemia is not known. Eleven cannabis users and 11 nonusers completed either rest or 1 h of exercise at their ventilatory threshold the evening before a meal tolerance test (MTT). Substrate oxidation, blood pressure, and capillary blood were obtained before and every 30–60 min post‐meal for 3 h. Linear mixed models were utilized to examine differences in variables between groups, conditions, across time, and their interactions. Exercise led to increased fat oxidation post‐MTT (p < 0.05), with cannabis users exhibiting higher AUC compared to the control trial (p < 0.05). Exercise also caused significantly lower levels of triglycerides (p < 0.05). Metabolic flexibility was improved in cannabis users in the exercise trial only (p < 0.05). No effect of group, trial, or interactions were detected for other variables of interest (all p > 0.05). This study indicated that prior exercise improves lipid metabolism in cannabis users and nonusers after a high‐fat meal test. Cannabis users appear sensitive to the effects of exercise. Future studies should incorporate additional meals and variables related to cardiovascular health and metabolism.