The following information concerns the nutritional benefits of hemp seeds as described in 1986 (Udo Erasmus) and 1992 (Lynn Osburn).
Hemp seeds as food
Hemp seeds, popularly called çedene or çedene içi, are now known as a highly nutritious superfood and contain the highest proportion of essential fatty acids among plants. Hemp seed oil contains only 8% saturated fat, the lowest percentage among oils. It contains 55% linoleic acid and 25% linolenic acid. Only flax surpasses hemp in linolenic acid, at 58%, but hemp has the highest combined essential fatty acid content, at 80%.
“These essential fatty acids are responsible for our immune response. In the Middle Ages, farmers consumed hemp oil, making them more resilient than the nobility.” The reason was that the upper classes rejected hemp as a food favored by ordinary people. This view belongs to R. Lee Hamilton, retired professor of medicine and biochemistry at the University of California. Linoleic and linolenic acids help convert food into energy and transport that energy through the body. Essential fatty acids affect growth, vitality and mental agility. Linoleic and linolenic acids play an important role in carrying oxygen to cells. They also help store oxygen in cell membranes, creating a barrier against viruses and bacteria because these microorganisms cannot multiply in an oxygen-rich environment.
The curved structure of essential fatty acids prevents them from sticking together. They are slippery and do not cause blockages, unlike saturated fats with their sticky, straight structure. Such saturated fats in trans fats and frying oils can clog arteries. Linoleic and linolenic acids carry a slight negative charge and tend to spread in thin layers. This property, called “surface activity,” transports toxins and other substances to the surfaces of the skin, digestive system, kidneys or lungs, where they leave the body.
These acids are extremely delicate and can quickly turn into toxic compounds when refined at high temperatures or exposed to light or air through improper storage.
Seeds naturally have an outer shell that safely protects the oils and vitamins inside. This shell forms an excellent container and is also easy to digest. Hemp seeds can be made into a paste resembling peanut butter but tastier. Nutritionist Udo Erasmus says, “Hemp oil puts our peanut butter in the shade.” Ground hemp seeds can be used in bread and cake doughs and casseroles, and add a satisfying flavor to muesli bars.
According to pioneers in biochemistry and nutrition, coronary artery disease and many cancers actually result from disturbed fat metabolism. These arise from excessive consumption of saturated fats and refined vegetable oils, in which essential fatty acids become carcinogenic substances. One in two Americans currently dies of coronary artery disease and one in four of cancer. Research suggests cancer arises when the immune system is weakened, and more Americans than ever are now experiencing weakened immunity. Promising studies are underway using essential oils to strengthen the immune systems of people with HIV.
Hemp seed proteins supply all essential amino acids the body needs and are necessary for a healthy life. In fact, hemp's amino acids and their composition correspond precisely to albumin and globulin, the main components of blood plasma. Gamma globulin in particular plays an important immune role.
The body's ability to fight and cope with disease depends on how quickly it can produce large quantities of antibodies after an initial pathogen attack. Without sufficient raw materials for globulin production, the antibody army may remain weak and fail to prevent pathogens from entering effectively.
The simplest and best way to supply sufficient amino acids is to obtain enough globulin protein through food. Hemp seed proteins contain 65% globulin and albumin, also found in other seeds; they are easily digested and resemble blood plasma proteins.
Hemp seeds have also been used to treat tuberculosis, a disease that severely impairs nutrient absorption and causes the body to deteriorate gradually.
The seed contains life's energy. Foods made from hemp seeds are tasty and provide essential amino acids and fatty acids. These support a healthy, strong body, a functioning immune system, mental peace and vitality.
Source: Lynn Osburn, Hempseed Nutrition, produced by Access Unlimited, P.O. Box 1900, Frazier Park, CA 93225.
We thank Ercüment Degidiben for the article.
