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Hemp Seed Nutrition
Hemp seeds provide a wide variety of nutrition that is often hard to get from the foods we commonly eat. Hemp seeds are an excellent source of calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, copper, and manganese. Hemp is gluten free and will therefore not trigger celiac disease. Hemp foods are high in omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids which make them beneficial to cardiovascular health and reducing blood cholesterol levels and decreasing the cellular explosion associated with atherosclerosis.
Hemp has had a long-standing relationship with humanity; modern science reveals that it contains all the essential amino acids and essential fatty acids necessary for human life, as well as a rare protein known as globule edestins that is very similar to the globulin found in human blood plasma.
Hemp seed oil is 35% of the total seed weight, has the lowest amount of saturated fatty acids at 8%, and the highest amount of the polyunsaturated essential fatty acids at 80%.
Hemp seeds contain the most balanced and richest natural single source of essential oils for human consumption. The E.F.A.'s not only help to restore wasting bodies, but also improve damaged immune systems, so it is not so surprising that modern researchers have studied them in relationship to the modern immune attacking AIDS virus. (Eidlman, M.D., Hamilton, ED.D, Ph.D 1992).
There are two types of acid that are essential for the human body that can only be obtained through diet, Linoleic acid (LA) and linolenic acid (LNA). Both are called essential fatty acids (EFA). LA and LNA are the most important fatty acids for people. Essential Fatty acids are involved in producing energy from food and the movement of that energy throughout the body. EFAs are important for growth, vitality and state of mind. Hemp seed oil has both of these essential fatty acids and is easy to digest with a great taste.
Fat is the second most abundant substance in the human body. Hemp seed oil is 55% LA and 25% LNA, making it the best seed oil for optimal health and prevention of fatty degeneration. As compared with most nuts and seeds, the fat content of shelled hemp seed is relatively low, and seed food products have a low cholesterol content in effect reducing cholesterol levels. Hemp seed oil has on average the highest mono and polyunsaturated fat content of all oils, The ratio of the two EFAs is 3.38, closely approximating the 4.0 average ratio recommended by the World Health Organization.
Besides providing a person’s EFA's and having a favorable unsaturated-to-saturated fat ratio, hemp seed is a good food source of easily digestible, gluten-free protein. Hemp seeds are 36% protein content as comparable to soy beans but hemp seeds are 65% edestin making it easier to digest and better than that found in nuts, other seeds, dairy products, meat, fish, or poultry.
Hemp seeds contain all 20 known amino acids, 8 that are essential our bodies need and 2 semi essential that our bodies can’t produce and must acquire through diet. Proteins are considered complete when they contain all 10 essential amino acids in sufficient quantities and ratio to meet our body’s needs. No other single food source has these amino acids in a digestible form or has the EFA in perfect ratio to meet our body’s needs.
Hemp provides Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA), which is a distinctive and exceedingly important Omega-6 in the family of Essential Fatty Acids. It's known for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, hormone production and balance, weight loss, improved joint function, healthy blood pressure, reducing menstrual cramps, also maintenance of hair, skin and nails.
Considering that almost all Americans are deficient in Essential Fatty Acids. Hemp is a good source of EFAs and plays a critical role for men and women planning to have a baby and the baby, a good source of EFAs is very important. Fortunately hemp seed oil has naturally accruing EFAs of omega-6 and omega-3 that the body requires. By Ingesting two tablespoons of hemp oil daily is a great way for men and women to get the proper EFAs for preconception nutrition and is just good for health in general.
Hemp seeds have a "nutty" flavor similar to sunflower seeds or walnuts. Hemp seed oil is "emerald green" in color, with a very light, nutty flavor. Hemp seed oil can be used in all your favorite dishes that don't call for high heat.
Although hemp is illegal to grow in the United States, hemp products can be purchased in the U.S. Organic hemp seed oil is available at Whole Foods Market, and can also be found online. Store hemp seed oil in the refrigerator. Add to the blender when making smoothies, or stir into yogurt to get a natural daily dose of omega fatty acids. Often overlooked, but never under-rated foods are hemp seed, and hemp seed oil.
Alpha Linolenic acid (LNA) Deficiency Symptoms - Omega 3
The symptoms of LNA deficiency include: Growth retardation, weakness, impairment of vision and learning ability, motor incoordination, tingling in arms and legs, behavioural changes.
Adding LNA back into the diet from which it is missing can reverse these symptoms. Other symptoms that can result from LNA (or w3) deficiency include; High triglycerides, high blood pressure, sticky platelets, tissue inflammation, edema, dry skin, mental deterioration, low metabolic rate, some kinds of immune dysfunction
Linoleic acid (LA) Deficiency Symptoms - Omega 6
The symptoms of LA deficiency include: Eczema-like skin eruptions, loss of hair, liver degeneration, behavioural disturbances, kidney degeneration, excessive water loss through the skin accompanied by thirst, drying up of glands, susceptibility to infections, failure of wound healing, sterility in males, miscarriage in females, arthritis-like conditions, heart and circulatory problems, growth retardation. Prolonged absence of LA from the diet is fatal. Adding LA back into the diet from which it is missing can reverse all of the deficiency symptoms.
In 1955 the Czechoslovakian Tubercular Nutrition Study concluded that hemp seed was the "Only food that can successfully treat the consumptive disease tuberculosis, in which the nutritive processes are impaired and the body wastes away"(Robinson 1996).
Dr Johana Budwig – A pioneer of Essential Fatty Acid Research
The seven-time Nobel Prize nominee, Dr. Johana Budwig, a pioneer of E.F.A research, reported success in treating heart infraction, arthritis, cancer and other common diseases with massive doses of E.F.A.'s. Budwig's research indicates that many of these killer and crippling diseases may be caused in part by our diet of saturated fat and trans-fat, which are present in much of the food we eat. According to this healing Doctor, saturated fat and trans-fat befuddle the electronic charge of the unsaturated oils, which are present in cell membranes.
‘This decreases the cells ability to receive and store electrons from the sun, which according to Budwig is a key factor in human health.’
Alternatively, a balanced diet of E.F.A’s keeps the charge of the unsaturated fats in the cells membranes working properly and electron rich. As Budwig herself explains:
"The sun's rays are very much in harmony with humans. It is no coincidence that we love the sun. The resonance in our biological tissue is so strongly tuned to the absorption of solar energy that physicists who occupy themselves with this scientific phenomenon, the quantum biologists say that there is nothing on earth that has a higher concentration of solar energy photons than humans. This enrichment with solar energy depends strongly on the like energy aspects, a wavelength that is compatible with humans, and this is supported when we eat foods that have electromagnetic waves of solar rays--the photon. An abundance of these electrons, which are tuned to the solar energy frequency, exist, for example, in many seed oils. Scientifically these oils have even been designated as electron-rich, essential, highly unsaturated fats. (Budwig 1992)
Budwig states that when we began to homogenize vegetable oils so that they would store better, we unknowingly changed their E.F.A. content into saturated fats in the ensuing heating process. These E.F.A. robbed, thus electron poor "promote the emergence of cancer.... They behave like tar, as insulators relative to the transport of electrons in living tissue." Alternatively, "electron-rich highly unsaturated oils... increase the absorption, storage and utilization of the sun's energy".
Budwig relates that after her ailing patients have been treated with an E.F.A. rich diet and then "lie in the sun, they notice they feel much better-rejuvenated"; (Budwig 1992) "On the other hand, nowadays we frequently observe that the heart fails on sunny beaches, and not infrequently heart attacks occur. We can observe some individuals in our time experiencing stress from exposure to the sun’s energy, whereas others respond with dynamic improvement in all vital functions. The stimulating effect that sunshine has on the secretions of the liver, gall bladder, pancreas, bladder, and salivary glands is easy to observe. These organs only dry out upon exposure to sunshine when the substance that stimulates secretions is missing. The decisive factor in all these observations is whether the surface-active, electron-rich, highly unsaturated fats are present as a resonating system for solar energy, or, if they are missing. The doctor tells cancer patients to avoid the sun; that they can't tolerate the sun. As soon as these patients--also cancer patients--were placed on my oil-Protein diet for just 2-3 days, i.e. a diet that contains an abundant supply of essential fats, they were able to tolerate the sun very well. Yes, they emphasize how well they suddenly feel in the sun, how the life forces are stimulated and that they feel dynamically energized."(Budwig 1992)
In times of worry about increased exposure to the sun's rays the E.F.A. rich oils provided by hemp may offer us hope. In her writings about the sun's effect on the cell membrane's electrons, Budwig referred to the work of the quantum physicist Dessauer, "If it were possible to increase the concentration of solar electrons tenfold in this biological electron rich molecule, man would live to be 10,000 years old."
Benefits of Cold Pressing
Oils should be pressed with a minimum of heat because the higher the temperature of the oil the faster it is destroyed by light, oxygen and other chemical reactions. The shape and properties of Fatty-acid molecules can change lowering their nutritional and biological value.
In the UK we do not have restrictions on pressing oil from live seed unlike America where the seed has to be killed by high temperatures to allow it to be imported. With this seed is it is not possible to press fresh living oil that remains stable with a longer shelf life. Hemp oil is legal in the UK.
How to use
With a pleasant nutty flavour, Hemp Seed Oil is ideal for use in salad dressings, mayonnaise, dips etc. Not suitable for frying as this reduces the benefits. May be taken as a nutritional supplement for general health and well being.
It is recommended to mix with Barley Grass Powder, providing the benefits of the soluble proteins in Barley Grass Powder, along with all the huge array of other nutrients. (Organic yogurt can be used as an alternative Barley Grass Powder) Use 1 dessertspoons of Hemp oil to one heaped dessertspoon of Barley grass juice powder, (or half a cup of organic yogurt) half a glass of chemical free water, (do not use tap water, the chlorine in tap water turns nutrients into toxic, even carcinogenic chemicals!). This mix can be taken once or twice daily. The combination forms the basis of a powerful therapy that Dr Budwig used, and helps to deliver sunlight from sensible sun exposure to the cells for maximum benefit.
Hemp oil can also be used externally on the skin, easily absorbed and moisturising, suitable for poor condition skin.