Recently, a lady asked me a question about hemp. She said, “What do you think about HEMP SEEDS. We bought some at COSTCO. A quick search looks like they are good for you or no?”
My answer is:
Hemp is one of the healthiest plants on the planet. Hemp seeds are high in the essential fatty acid omega 3s. Omega 3 fatty acids are what our body needs and we have to get them from a food source, because our body doesn’t make them. Omega 3s are anti-inflammatory. Therefore, they are incredibly healing for anyone who has any kind of pain or disease.
Hemp is high in protein and easily digested by the body unlike many proteins like soy or whey that can cause bloating or gas. Hemp is high in vitamin E and trace minerals.
When buying hemp seeds, grind them yourself. If it is already ground it loses a lot of its nutritional value over time. So grind it fresh. Use a coffee bean grinder. A coffee bean grinder is a great investment for seeds and nut grinding. You can buy other hemp products like hemp milk, but be sure to read the ingredients and make sure it isn’t high in sugar or other ingredients.
I also use an organinc hemp oil that is very benefitical for many things.
copyright@nancyaddison2013. For more information go to www.organichealthylifestyle.com
Hi Nancy:
Nice summary of the health benefits of hemp seed oil (not to be confused with what a lot of people are calling “hemp oil” which is marijuana oil – the story of how the terms marijuana and hemp became synonymous is interesting but too long for this comment). I would add that, another main benefit of hemp seed oil is that it has the ideal ratio of Omega-3s to Omega-6s.
In developed worlds in general, and in the US in particular, we tend to over-consume Omega-6s. A typical diet may have a 1:10 ratio of Omega-3s to Omega-6s, a very unhealthy ratio. Hemp seeds, and hemp seed oil, provide the ideal 3:1 ratio which is extremely beneficial to a person’s health – even more so than the ‘heart healthy” olive oil. Let’s also remember that hemp seed oil contains health-beneficial Omega-9s.
Lastly, make sure that you are buying your hemp seeds and/or hemp seed oil (as well as other hemp seed products) from a reputable source, Hemp seeds and hemp seed products have a limited shelf life, unless chemical preservatives are added. Also, while hemp seeds are generally low in THC (some types have no detectable THC), it is important that they be tested as improper handling can cause whatever THC is in the seeds to accumulate. A reputable provider should be able to provide you with chemical analysis of the products you are purchasing. The manner in which hemp seeds are processed is also important. For example, were they processed in a facility segregated from other nuts, so that no cross-contamination is possible? Was the hemp seed oil processed and packaged in an oxygen-free environment to prevent early oxidization? Etc. You get the idea. Like all other products, not all hemp seed and hemp seed products are created equal.
Full disclosure: I am the CEO of EcoStar Health, Inc., an online retailer of premium hemp seed products, deluxe body care products and human-grade organic pet foods.
Thank you Jean-Pierre, I appreciate you input and the information for my readers!
I loved this post! Have been reading your blog for over a year and your always putting
out some great posts. I shared this on mmy instagram and my followers loved it!
Keep up the good work 🙂