Hemp has a variety of uses, but you can also obtain many health
benefits from it by making it a part of your daily diet.
Hemp can provide you with a complete protein, and a balanced ratio
of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids. It also contains many B vitamins,
vitamins A, D and E, calcium, sodium, iron and dietary fiber. Hence, hemp seeds
can supply you with all your dietary needs for optimum health.
1. A Healthy Heart
The essential fatty acids contained in
hemp can reduce blood cholesterol to prevent plaque buildup in the arteries.
Plaque buildup can contribute to atherosclerosis, which is the hardening of the
arteries and eventually can cause heart attacks and stroke. The fatty acids
help to reduce inflammation that can cause poor blood circulation and high
blood pressure. Therefore hemp can reduce the workload of the heart, and as a
result helps to prevent heart disease and stroke.
2. A Healthy Mind
Your brain contains a lot of the same
essential fatty acids which are found in hemp. Therefore, hemp can help to
improve your memory, and prevent diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Hemp seeds can also help to improve your moods, alleviate symptoms of
depression and reduce anxiety and stress levels.
3. Healthy Skin
Hemp oil is often used for cosmetic
purposes in products such as soaps, skin lotions and lip balms. This is because
the oil helps to penetrate into the layers of the skin to promote new cell
growth for a softer and smoother skin. Hemp can also help to clear up skin
conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and dry skin.
4. Weight Loss
Hemp is a natural appetite suppressant,
and helps you to feel full longer. Adding 4 tablespoons of hemp seeds to your
breakfast can help to reduce your food cravings for the rest of the day. On top
of that you will have lots of energy for exercise and other activities to help
you lose weight.
5. Digestive Disorders
The high amount of fiber that is
contained in hemp seeds can help to keep your digestive tract clean and
healthy. As a result you can eliminate digestive disorders such as bloating and
constipation.
6. Prevent Cancer
A healthy digestive system along with
the antioxidants and plant sterols contained in hemp can help to reduce your
risk of breast, colon and prostate cancers.
7. Diabetes
Hemp seeds are also essential if you
are diabetic, or are at risk for diabetes, as they can help to control your
blood sugar levels. This is due to the healthy fats which help the body to
absorb the glucose from the bloodstream and turn it into energy. As a result,
energy levels will increase and sweet cravings will decrease.
Hemp seeds can be added to your
smoothies, sprinkled in cereals, salads and dips, or you can substitute them
for nuts in your baking. They are also great for making hemp seed milk, for
sprouting or to be ground into a meal.
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.
