Fall, 1999

Hemp Seed:  Functional Food for the Future
by Kelly Smith

Hemp is one of our oldest and most versatile plants and has been documented as far back as early as the 28th century BC.  Cannabis sativa, which is the Latin term for "useful hemp," is now making a comeback in the food and textile industries and Canada is leading the way.

In March 1998, the Canadian Government passed new legislation allowing the cultivation of industrial hemp.  Last year over 5,000 acres were harvested across the country.  You can now find 100 per cent Canadian-grown hemp seed oil on the shelves of your local health food store.

Enviro-Happy Hemp

Hemp is an exceptionally hardy plant that grows well in our climate.  It requires only some fertilizer in the spring to get it started and is generally grown free of herbicides and pesticides because it is so naturally resistant to pests.  For the same reason, genetically engineering hemp is not considered.  Once harvested, the seeds are thoroughly cleaned and should be cold pressed in the absence of light and oxygen, preserving the freshness of the oil.   Read the label of any oil product you buy to make sure!  Canadian hemp seed oil is produced with only the freshest viable grain possible.  Nothing should be steam-sterilized or treated with radiation.  The golden rule is "less is more:"  less light, less heat, less processing.

This pressing produces a high-quality polyunsaturated oil and seed cake (the crushed seed hulls).  The oil can be eaten on its own, blended into other food products, blended into body care products or used as a lubricant and many other uses.  The seed cake can be ground into flour, used to brew beer or added to animal feed.  Lastly, the stalks of the plants are ground up and used in animal bedding, garden mulch and for pulp and paper.  Hemp can actually be used in 25,000 potential products!

And it won't make you stupid

One of the most commonly asked questions is whether hemp seed oil has any psychoactivity:  will it get anyone high?   The answer is no.  Cannabis sativa seeds do not contain any THC (tetrahydrocannibinol) which is the psychoactive substance found in its distant cousin marijuana.

Health Canada stipulates that all hemp seed products must contain less than 10 parts per million of THC and every hemp crop in Canada is tested to ensure these standards are maintained.

Hemp seed oil is truly unique.   Approximately 80 per cent is polyunsaturated fat-- the highest of any vegetable oil.  Specifically, it contains the essential fatty acids (EFAs) linoleic acid (omega- 6) and alpha linolenic acid (omega- 3).  These EFAs cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained from our diets.  Hemp seed oil also contains gamma linolenic acid (GLA), from which omega- 6 is naturally converted.  Modern day diets and sluggish enzyme activity often impair this conversion and cause GLA deficiency.   Hemp seed oil solves this problem.  No other single source oil has this ideal combination of EFAs!

Nutrition experts generally recommend that, for EFAs to do their job effectively and provide optimal cell function, daily requirements must range from seven to 11 g of linoleic acid and from two to 3.5 g of alpha-linolenic acid.  This can be obtained from one tablespoon of hemp seed oil.   However, individuals who consume a diet high in saturated fats or trans fats will require more, as will people who are overweight or under a great deal of stress.

King of Complete Protein

The hemp seed is 35 per cent oil, the richest source of EFAs in the plant kingdom.  Of all plant-based sources, its 25 per cent protein content---- comprised of all eight essential amino acids-- is second only to that of the soy bean.  The protein in hemp seed is readily digestible being primarily composed of edestin and albumin which are the component of human blood plasma.   Hemp seed derivative products are ideal for ensuring that there is adequate complete and assimilable protein in the vegetarian diet.

Hemp seeds can be ground into a rich nutty tasting flour (45 per cent protein) that adds a unique culinary and healthy twist to your baking.  The flour is gluten free and has been approved by the celiac society as a safe ingredient for anyone suffering form this disorder.

The best part of any hemp seed product is the taste!  it has a wonderful nutty flavour that fits well into most recipes.  Try the oil in salad dressing, pour it on pasta or pizza, mix it into humus, add the flour to your favourite bread or muffin recipe-- the possibilities are endless!

hemp seed oil is a functional food that ensures an adequate intake of essential fatty acids and amino acids.

This article was published in the August'99 issue of Alive magazine, and was reprinted with permission from Kelly Smith, co-founder of Hempola Inc.

Recipes

Banana Hemp Bread
Herbalicious Hempola Salad Dressing
Hemp Croquettes
Hemp Oil Mayonnaise

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