insideKENT Magazine Issue 80 - November 2018 | Page 162

HEALTH+WELLNESS
NATURAL HEALTH: THE HYPE ABOUT HEMP cont.
2. HEMP SEEDS CAN REDUCE YOUR RISK
OF HEART DISEASE
Heart disease is the number one cause of
death worldwide, but eating hemp seeds can
reduce your risk of heart disease as they
contain high amounts of the amino
acid arginine, which produces nitric oxide in
your body – a gas molecule that makes your
blood vessels dilate and relax, leading to
lowered blood pressure. The gamma-linolenic
acid found in hemp has also been linked to
reduced inflammation, and animal studies
have shown that both hemp seeds and hemp
seed oil reduces blood pressure, decreases the
risk of blood clot formation and help the heart
recover effectively after a heart attack.
3. HEMP SEEDS AND OIL IMPROVE SKIN SENSITIVITIES
A healthy immune system depends on a
healthy balance of omega-6 and omega-3
fatty acids, both of which hemp seeds are a
good source of with an optimal 3:1 ratio of
omega-6 to omega-3. Studies have shown
that giving hemp seed oil to people with
eczema can improve blood levels of essential
fatty acids and so relieving dry skin, improving
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itchiness and reducing the need for harsher
skin medication.
4. HEMP SEEDS ARE A GREAT SOURCE OF
PLANT-BASED PROTEIN
About a quarter of calories in hemp seeds
come from protein, which is pretty high – in
fact by weight, hemp seeds provide a similar
amount of protein as beef and lamb. They are
considered a complete protein source, which
means that they provide all the essential amino
acids that our bodies cannot produce and
must obtain from our diets. Complete protein
sources are very rare in the plant kingdom, as
plants often lack the amino acid lysine,
although quinoa is another example of a
complete, plant-based protein source.
5. HEMP SEEDS CAN HELP REDUCE SYMPTOMS OF
PMS AND MENOPAUSE
Up to 80 per cent of women of reproductive
age suffer from physical or emotional
symptoms caused by premenstrual syndrome
and symptoms are very likely caused by
sensitivity to the hormone prolactin. The
gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) found in hemp
seeds however, produces prostaglandin E1,
which reduces the effects of prolactin and can
decrease the breast pain and tenderness,
depression, irritability and fluid retention
associated with PMS.
6. WHOLE HEMP SEEDS HELP AID DIGESTION
Whole hemp seeds are a good source of both
soluble and insoluble fibre, which is an
essential part of our diets and is often linked
to better digestive health. Soluble fibre forms
a gel-like substance in the gut and is a valuable
source of nutrients for beneficial digestive
bacteria reducing spikes in blood sugar and
regulating cholesterol levels. Insoluble fibre
adds bulk to stools helping food and waste
pass through the gut and has also been linked
to a reduced risk of diabetes. De-hulled or
shelled hemp seeds — also known as hemp
hearts — contain very little fibre because the
fibre-rich shell has been removed, so it’s best
to consume them raw, whole and toasted.