Health Benefits
Benefits of Hemp Seed and it's Oil
Hemp seed has been consumed by mankind (and animals) for centuries. Indeed, whole populations have survived off hemp seed in times of famine. In China, at the cinema, you can still buy roasted hemp seeds in the same way as you can buy popcorn in the West.
Hemp has 3 unique nutritional factors. It has an ideal balance of Omega 3 and 6 for sustainable human health, it has a full amino acid spectrum meaning it provides complete protein, and it has a massive trace mineral content - truly one of nature's superfoods.
Consumption of hemp oil and hemp seed is ideal for people with low essential fatty acid intake, and also perfect for athletes. It is of course particularly valuable to the veggie/vegan population, and even more so for veggie/vegan athletes, who are always looking for complete protein sources.
One of the easiest ways of consuming hemp is in smoothies. Just mix a handful of organic hemp seed (whole or de-hulled) with fruit and juice of your choice in a blender. Perfect for children too. Or perhaps make up a little hemp seed milk (see recipe on Hemp page).
Other benefits of hemp seed oil include its effect on the skin and the hair, nourishing both on a cellular level. Hemp oil is easily absorbed by the skin and those EFA's go straight to work!
And of course hemp needs no pesticides or fertilisers, is low maintenance and grows just about anywhere, making it the ideal crop for organic sustainable farming in just about anywhere in the world.
Benefits of Essential Fatty Acids
Essential Fatty Acids are a key issue right now - and mainly because we are generally deficient in them. These fats are considered necessary for human health and must be available from food sources as the body cannot manufacture them itself. EFA's are also known as Omega 3 and Omega 6 and are available from seeds, nuts and oily fish.
Although there are arguments for the use of fish oils as a source of EFA's, there are also concerns about the high level of toxicity in fish oils. A preferable source therefore maybe organic seeds and nuts.
Udo Erasmus However, a balance between omega 3 and omega 6 intake is also very important, as too much omega 6 can have detrimental effects. EFA guru Udo Erasmus considers hemp seed to have the ideal ratio of Omega 3 and 6 for sustainable human health.
EFA's benefit the body in many ways but two stand out - the effect on the cells and on the brain. EFA's help repair cell damage as they are part of the cell membrane, and they also help keep the cells fluid - important in maintaining the correct function of the skin, whilst also improving the energy flow between cells, as well as the nutrient absorption and detox function. In short, healthy glowing skin! EFA's are readily absorbed into the skin when applied direct.
Meanwhile, our brains are 60% fat! And over 1/3rd are EFA's. Therefore the quality of fats is imperative for proper brain function. And a lack of EFA's has been associated with learning difficulties and behavioural problems with children.
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