Hemp Seed Oil

You may have heard of hemp oil being beneficial for us, but what are hemp seed oil health benefits?

You may be more familiar with it’s cousin, hashish oil, but don’t get these two confused! Hemp seed oil is made from hemp seeds. It contains very minimal THC meaning it won’t have any psychedelic effect on you.

For those of you who aren’t aware, THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive component of hashish oil, or cannabis oil and the marijuana plant. This is the stuff that has a psychotropic effect on people which makes it illegal in most countries around the world frequently used for pain management.

Hemp oil on the other hand is made from hemp seeds which are very safe for consumption containing a very limited amount of THC component – approximately 0.3 – 1.5% THC.

Whereas marijuana has a much higher level of THC between 5 – 10 %.

Good news

In Australia in November 2017, a momentous event occurred, where it became legal to sell hemp seed food products.

This is very exciting news for those who follow a ketogenic diet, low carb way of eating or simply want to incorporate healthier foods in our diets.

A nutty flavored oil, it’s made from organic hemp seeds.

The product I am talking about here is made in Australia.

For Hemp oil in America, you can find it on Amazon.

Fatty acids and Fiber

Hemp seed oil contains omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids, similar to other healthy unhydrogenated seed oils and coconut oil.

Fatty acids are essential to assist cells to absorb vitamins A, D, E and K. Without these fatty acids, the cells lose their elasticity. Therefore, without these fats, our cells simply can’t do their job.

This is why the low fat era has led to a faster aging process as the cells didn’t receive enough fatty acids required to do their job.

Nobel prize winner Johanna Budwig conducted research into the importance of omega 3 and 6 oils for our body.

The oil made from hemp seeds have a high fiber content. Fiber helps our bodies digest foods more easily, thus supporting the process of elimination.

Nutritional Make up of the oil

Hemp seed oil has the perfect balance of 3:1 ratio of Omega 6: Omega 3 fatty acids. Giving this oil the ability to boost weight loss, reduce cardiovascular disease, increase immune system strength.

Omega 3 fatty acids of hemp oil contains stearidonic acid (SDA) and  alpha-linoleic acid (ALA). Omega 6 fatty acids including gamma-linolic acid, ceramides, linolenic acid.

Gamma-linolenic fatty acid is a precursor, or building block for some prostaglandins, which supports hormones.

Here’s an interesting fact: we all have cannabinoids in our bodies that occur naturally known as endocannabinoids. They are slightly different from those found in the hemp plant.

Hemp oil contains fiber and numerous minerals. These minerals are potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, calcium, and phosphorus.

Having a complete amino acid profile makes hemp seeds themselves highly valuable, especially for vegetarians and vegans.

They also contain vitamin E, D3 and B including folate.

Comparing the amount in grams of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of hemp seeds see below:

Hemp Seed Oil Health Benefits

• Phytonutrients and healthy fats make hemp oil considered a superfood.
• Protects against aging.
• The perfect balance of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids makes it excellent for moisturising dry skin.
• Helps with acne due to it’s linolenic acid, also an omega 6 fatty acid.
• Hemp seed oil also helps with psoriasis and is a natural emollient.
• It makes a great hair moisturisor. When fatty acids, from ceramides, are applied topically or consumed,  cell membranes absorb the oil while preventing it from leaving the cell. Thus maintaining moisturized hair.
• Hormonal balancing – Another omega 6 fatty acid, gamma-linolic acid (GLA), this oil can also support and reduce menstrual pain in women during their cycle and prevent premenstrual syndrome.
• Also helps boost the immune system.
• Cells are made up of membranes called myelin. These membranes require fatty acids such as omega 3 and omega 6 to be able to absorb nutrients such as Vitamin A, D, E and K. All contained in hemp seed oil.
• Helps with weight loss due to it’s omega 6 to omega 3 ratio. This helps boost metabolism and lowers cholesterol.
• It’s an excellent source of fatty acids for vegetarians and vegans.
• Supports hormones, especially for women, helps with managing premenstrual tension and menopause symptoms.

Some Side effects to consider:

• High doses can cause diarrhea, especially if one is not used to it.
• Some research has shown that cancer cells in those with prostate cancer have been shown to increase. It is best to avoid hemp oil if there is a history or risk of prostate cancer.
• Those who take blood thinners are not recommended to consume hemp oil since it is considered an anticoagulant.

How to use Hemp Seed Oil

One of the best ways to use this oil is in salads.

Drizzle over your avocado, hemp seed, baby spinach, cucumber, mint leaves, red onion and lemon juice ingredients and voila, a nutritious salad to have at any time.

Create a salad of your preference and drizzle with the oil.

It’s best not to cook with this oil as it changes the chemical make up of the oil.

Instead, drizzle over your meals such as beef to boost the nutrient content.

Can also be used for dipping keto bread in.

For more recipe ideas click here  and have a look in the shop for recipes by the CEO of Hemp Foods Australia, Paul Benhaim.

Hemp Foods Australia

I’ve discovered a fabulous company here in Australia where you can buy hemp seed oil legally!

These products are also certified organic and displays the certified organic symbol. This means they also contain no hidden nasties in the form of harmful chemicals. In fact, the hemp plant itself actually has less need to have deadly chemicals used for pesticides or herbicides applied to it.

Hemp Foods Australia provide a number of products, including hemp seed oil.

Some of the products offered include:

• Hulled Hemp Seeds
• Organic Hemp Oil
• Hemp Protein Powder
• Organic Hemp Powder/Flour

This company also offers international shipping.

To find out more about hemp seed oil click below

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I would love to hear your thoughts about hemp seed oil.

Have you tried it yet? If so what did you think?

Feel free to leave comments below.