Hemp Seeds Health Benefits

What are hemp seeds?

Hemp Seeds are the most nutritious seed in the world and is a plant-based protein. Hemp seeds are nature’s super food since they have the most concentrated balance of proteins, essential fats, vitamins and enzymes combined with a relative absence of sugar, starches and saturated fats. Hemp seeds are undeniably one of the most potent foods that promote optimal health. Hemp belongs to the genus Cannibis sativa and has been cultivated for thousands of years for different purposes.

Benefits of Hemp Seeds

Hemp seed health benefits include:

Weight loss
Increased and sustained energy
Rapid recovery from disease or injury
Lowered cholesterol
Blood pressure
Reduced inflammation
Improvement in circulation and immune system
Aids in blood sugar control

Hemp Seeds are also an excellent source of essential fatty acids including Omega 3, 6 and GLA in the perfect balance. Hemp seeds are a more digestible protein than meat, whole eggs, cheese, human milk, cows milk or any other high protein food since it is plant-based. Hemp seeds are rich in Vitamin E & can be easily consumed especially to those who have certain allergies. So far, there have been no indications that of any one being allergic to hemp seeds.

Essential Fatty Acids in Hemp Seeds

The oil contained in the hemp seed is 75-80% polyunsaturated fatty acids (the good fats) and only 9-11% of the lesser desired saturated fatty acids. Hemp seed oil is reputed to be the most unsaturated oil derived from the plant kingdom. The essential fatty acids (EFAs) contained in hemp seed oil are deemed essential because our bodies do not naturally produce them. This means that they must be obtained from the food we eat.

Most health organizations agree that the human body needs a 3 or 4:1 balance of omega 6 over omega 3. Hemp seed is the only seed where this ideal balance occurs. It does not occur in flax, almond, walnut, soybean or olive oil. Daily use of flax seed can lead to dangerous imbalances since flax seed oil has a balance of 1:4 instead of a healthy 4:1 omega-6 over omega-3.

EFAs are involved with producing life’s energy throughout the human body and without them, life is not possible. In general, North Americans have a high dietary deficiency in EFAs due to their high intake of processed foods and meats.

Extensive studies have demonstrated that many common illnesses are related to deficiencies or imbalances of specific fatty acids in the body. Symptoms are often related to a lack of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids and their derivatives, the postaglandins.

It has been proven in several clinical studies that dietary supplementation with EFAs or their metabolites (such as GLA) will often prevent or even cure many forms of illness.