A nutritional analysis of hemp seed is impressive. Compared to flax and soy, hemp is more biologically compatible with the human body. Many people have trouble digesting soy products due to the oligosaccharide content, which can cause gas and stomach upsets. Ground flaxseed releases cyanide gas because of the presence of cyanogenic diglycosides. Hemp does not create these problems.

Although a valuable source of fibre, proteins and Essential Fatty Acids (Omegas 3 and 6), hemp is by no means a complete food. There is nothing on this Earth that is, but when used as part of a holistic lifestyle, with a diet high in leafy green vegetables and fresh fruit, you will radiate good health.

Hemp Seed

The seed of the hemp plant is a small, soft oily nut, surrounded by a thin transparent inner layer and a hard shell. The hemp seed vaguely resembles the seed of other cultivated grains, such as wheat and rye. While raw whole seeds contain the highest percentage of fragile oils and beneficial nutrients, according to current law, in North America raw whole seeds sold must be sterilized or the hull removed to prevent sprouting.

Thanks to recent processing technology, the husk can be removed to reveal the pure, nutritionally-dense hemp nut. The soft nut meat is the most useable part of the hemp seed and a versatile ingredient in many recipes. Store hemp nut in the refrigerator. Whole hemp seeds still have their place; when toasted they are a tasty, crunchy snack.

Hemp Oil is produced by cold-pressing fresh hemp seeds.

The Food Grade Hemp Seed Oil is my preferred way of taking a nutritional dose of Omegas 3, 6, 9 and GLA; health professionals often recommend hemp oil over other oils for reducing symptoms of eczema, cardiovascular, and the menopause. I also recommend hemp oil as it tastes great, unless you live in Australia, where it is the last western country to legalise hemp oil (2006).

To get the most out of hemp oil, ensure the product is fresh, stored in a cool (refrigerator) dark place (an opaque bottle is fine) and not heated (add at the end of any cooking) to ensure the fragile omega-3 and omega-6 content is not spoiled. Hemp oil is best not used in cooking, but as an edible nutritional oil. Production of hemp oil is usually carried out in a hydraulic screw press with a maximum heat of 45º C (110ºF). Lower temperatures produce nutty, hazy oil. Higher temperatures produce darker, greener oil. More high-tech methods of producing oil include super critical fluid extraction (using carbon dioxide). Such methods are designed to efficiently extract the oil from the seed, without using petro-chemicals and ensuring a safe, low heat. Hexane extraction is used for non-food grade hemp oil, often used for paints.

Hemp oil is best when unrefined as processing diminishes the nutritional value by de-naturing the essential fatty acids (EFAs). The best test for the quality of any oil is the taste test. It is easy to differentiate between the rancid, scratchy taste of poor quality oil and the smooth, nutty taste of superior oil.

Hemp oil contains mostly the gamma form of vitamin E, a natural anti-oxidant that keeps the oil fresh. “Nature does provide”, but not necessarily for mass production and transportation. Buy fresh, and when possible, locally cold-pressed oil. Better still, press it yourself from fresh whole or hemp nut. Keep hemp oil in a dark glass bottle, in the refrigerator.

The Hemp Seed Protein - Superior Plant Protein

The Hemp Seed contains more than 22% COMPLETE PROTEINS, which is highly digestible due to its globulin form, as edestin and albumin. Edestin is a superior type of plant protein, similar to protein found in the human body, and perfectly suited to the body's cellular needs. Hemp contains the highest percentage of globulin protein found in any plant. It is important to note that protein can become denatured if heated above 115º C (239º F) for more than a few minutes, making it insoluble and less digestible.

Edestin proteins are forerunners to hormones, haemoglobin (which transports oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood), enzymes (which control many biochemical reactions), and antibodies (which fight off invading bacteria, viruses and toxins). Edestin also assists in suppressing symptoms of sickness and disease by increasing the body’s own defense systems.

Hemp seed contains good quantities of arginine and histidine; both are important for growth during childhood. Hemp protein also has the sulfur-containing amino acids methionine and cysteine, which are needed for proper enzyme formation, as well as relatively high levels of the branched-chain amino acids that are important for the metabolism of exercising muscle.

Hemp seed contains both essential and other amino acids useful for childhood growth. In fact, hemp seed contains all eight essential amino acids, mostly in levels superior to those found in soy protein isolate or flax seed.

A 50% protein powder with Omegas 3 and 6 has been developed to take advantage of the high quality of protein and essential fats available from hemp seed. Protein Powders may be used as supplements by those requiring extra quality proteins. Powders can be added to fruit juices or smoothies. Containing essential fat and containing no carbohydrates, this product is SUPERIOR PLANT PROTEIN.

Nutritionally superior hemp protein powders are becoming available at a price competitive to other protein powders.

Hemp Seed Fibre

It has been shown that people who consume a high fibre diet lower their fat and blood cholesterol levels. High fibre diets, especially those of plant origin have also been associated with lowered risk of cancers of the breast, prostate and rectum. High intake of foods of plant origin (all of which contain some fibre) is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease such as angina, prevention of cancer and an increased life expectancy.

This is believed to be because the fibre absorbs and eliminates toxins from the body, before they do any real damage. Another benefit of a high fibre diet, one that may assist with weight control, is the feeling of fullness that follows a fibre-rich meal.

The Hemp Seed contains more than 35% dietary fibre. The highest concentration of fibre is found in the the food grade Hemp Seed Flour.