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Friday, May 7, 2010

A LITTLE MORE IN DEPTH ON HEMP


Okay, so I really only mentioned hemp earlier this week. Well, actually its in the product that I reviewed on Tuesday. So there.

Anyhoo, I want to share with you some info on the benefits of hemp. And no, I'm not talking about the kind you smoke. Lol.


So here goes:

Seeds of the plant cannabis sativa, hemp seed, contain all the essential amino acids and essential fatty acids necessary to maintain healthy human life. No other single plant source has the essential amino acids in such an easily digestible form, nor has the essential fatty acids in as perfect a ratio to meet human nutritional needs.


Industrial hemp has a long history, with a wide range of uses. Like flax and soybeans, hemp provides raw materials for both food and fiber. Today, hemp is grown in most industrialized nations of the world, excluding the U.S. (Find out why at VoteHemp.com).

Hemp is a profitable and potential "dual-income" crop for farmers, as both seeds and fiber can be processed into thousands of uses. Hemp is a highly valuable crop and the oilseed and fiber varieties can be used for the production of fabrics, rope, paper, food, health and beauty aids, printing inks, paint, and building materials. And today it's proving to have even greater value as a potential source of renewable energy, and as a raw material for biodiesel and ethanol. The building materials excel at carbon sequestration helping slow climate change.


Hemp's tiny, round seeds are about the same size as small sunflower seeds. They have a light and pleasant flavor and aroma that is similar to toasted pine nuts. The seeds are the edible portion of the hemp plant.

Hemp seeds contain all 10 Essential Amino Acids (EAA's) - the building blocks of protein. They're also rich in naturally-balanced Omega-3 and Omega-6 Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's). Additionally, hemp is high in magnesium, iron, potassium, fiber and phytonutrients, plus natural antioxidants like vitamin E. Our hemp foods are a healthy habit that can be part of your diet every day.


Hemp seeds are one of the plant kingdom's best sources of easily digestible, high-quality protein. Proteins are among the body's most essential nutrients, helping you build and repair tissue and build lean muscle mass. 65% of hemp seeds' protein is high-quality edestin, making them the highest vegan source of this simple protein that's required for proper immune system function. The other 35% is albumin protein. With live enzymes intact, hemp's digestible proteins are easily assimilated into the body. Hemp protein is also a great alternative if you're allergic to the proteins found in dairy and soy. Add hemp protein powder to a morning smoothie for a valuable whole-food energy boost.

Benefits of Hemp Seeds


Hemp seeds are nutrient-powerhouses containing:

• All 20 amino acids, including the 9 essential amino acids (EAAs) our bodies cannot produce.

• A high protein percentage of thesimple proteins that strengthen immunity and fend off toxins.2



Eating hemp seeds in any form could aid, if not heal, people suffering from immune deficiency diseases. This conclusion is supported by the fact that hemp seed has been used to treat nutritional deficiencies brought on by tuberculosis, a severe nutrition blocking disease that causes the body to waste away.3

• Nature's highest botanical source of essential fatty acid, with more essential fatty acid than flax or any other nut or seed oil. 4

• A perfect 3:1 ratio of Omega-6 Linoleic Acid and Omega-3 Linolenic Acid - for cardiovascular health and general strengthening of the immune system.

• A superior vegetarian source of protein considered easily digestible.

• A rich source of phytonutrients, the disease-protective element of plants with benefits protecting your immunity, bloodstream, tissues, cells, skin, organs and mitochondria.

• The richest known source of polyunsaturated essential fatty acids. 5

Hemp seed oil has been attributed to helping: increase energy, soften skin, relieve arthritis and normalize blood cholesterol.

How To Eat Hemp Seeds:

Incorporating hemp seeds in your diet is so easy. You can purchase whole hemp seeds, hulled hemp seeds, hemp seed protein powder, and hemp seed oil. Simply just eat them raw, add them to a salad, replace olive oil with hemp seed oil, etc. Or add 2 tbs of Hemp Seeds everyday to a healthy shake or smoothie.
Also, it’s best to keep hemp seeds refrigerated and air tight. If you purchase a bulk 5-pound bag, consider adding a pound to a container for daily use, and seal up the 5-pound bag and place it in the freezer. This will help protect the seed and the nourishing Omega-3s which are sensitive to heat and oxygen.

**Resources: partly from  Ratical.org

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