HEMP SEED:
Nature's Ancient Superfood!
by Udo Erasmus

Hemp seeds have an established place in history
as a nourishing and delicious food. Cultures from
around the world have their local recipes. Russians
make porridge, sweets and a delicious butter said
to be superior to peanut butter. The Chinese enjoy
snacks of roasted seeds and in South Africa babies
are weaned on a hemp "Pablum". In fact, the
medicinal properties of hemp seeds in ancient
Chinese pharmacopoeia are substantial. No other
single plant source can compare with the nutritional
value. Both the complete protein and the essential
oils contained in hemp seed are in ideal ratios for
human nutrition.

IDEAL VEGETABLE PROTEIN!

A pound of hemp seed would provide all the
protein, essential fatty acids and dietary fiber
necessary for human survival for two weeks.
The protein in hemp contains all eight amino
acids essential to life and is easily digested.
For this reason it is used in many parts of the
world for treating rnalnourishment.

DANGERS of "low fat" and "no fat"

Recent trends to produce "low fat" and "no fat"
foods present untimely dangers to human biology.
In an effort to reduce the intake of saturated fats
which typically provide little nutritional benefit
and are attributed to excess weight gain, food
manufacturers are producing products that contain
no source of essential fatty acids. An ideal fat
source needs to contain a balance of essential
fatty acids (EFAs). They are known as Omega-3
or alpha linoleic acid and Omega-6 or linoleic acid.
Hemp foods and hemp oil will be at the head of
the "good fat" line, since they contain 80% EFAs.
Fats and oils provide a carrier for the fat-soluble
vitamins A, D, B and K. They also produce energy.
As the trend towards "nutraceuticals" (nutritional
foods or substances which prevent disease)
continues, the increasingly sophisticated
consumer will turn to hemp seed.

HIGH FIBRE - little "colon cleansers"

Although little has been written about the fibre
content of hemp seeds in North America they
continue to be the most popular remedy for
constipation and hemorrhoids in China.
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Nutritional Analysis of Hemp Seeds

Protein 22.5%
Carbohydrates 35.8%
Moisture 5.7%
Ash 5.9%
Calories 503 per 100g
Dietary fiber 35.1% (3.0% soluble)
Fat 30%

Essential Fatty Acid Profile

Omega-3 (Alpha Linolenic) 20%
Omega-6 (Linoleic) 57%
Omega-9 (Oleic) 12%
Stearic 2%
Palmitic 6%
Carotene (Vit A) 16,800 IU per pound
Thiamine (B1) .9mg/100g
Riboflavin (B2) 1.1mg/100g
Pyridoxine (B6) .3mg/100g
Niacin (B3) 2.5mg/100g
Vitamin C 1.4mg/100g
Vitamin D 100 IU/100g
Vitamin E 3 mg/100g

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS

EFAs absorb sunlight and keep membranes
fluid. Their tendency to disperse gives biological
systems the power to carry substances such
as toxins to the surface of the skin, intestinal
tract, kidneys, or lungs, where these substances
can be discarded.

EFAs are involved in producing life energy in
our body from food substances, and moving
that energy throughout our systems. They govern
growth, vitality, and mental state. They hook up
oxygen, electron transport, and energy in the
process of oxidation. Oxidation, the central and
most important moment-to-moment living process
in our body, is the 'burning' of food to produce the
energy required for life processes. EFAs are
involved in the transporting of oxygen to all our
cells. EFAs can be likened to oxygen 'magnets'
that pull oxygen into our body. Linoleic Acid and
Linolenic Acid appear to hold oxygen in our cell
membranes, where it acts as a barrier to
viruses, fungi and bacteria.

EFAs substantially shorten the time required
for fatigued muscles to recover after exercise.
They facilitate the conversion of lactic acid to
water and carbon dioxide. This is especially
important to athletes.

EFAs increase metabolic rates. They increase
the metabolic rate and burn more fat into carbon
dioxide, water and energy sometimes resulting
in weight loss.

Linolenic Acid and its derivatives can lower
cholesterol hy up to 65%. It also produces
smooth, velvety skin, increases stamina, speeds
healing, increases vitality, and brings a feeling
of calmness. It reduces inflammation, water
retention, platelet stickiness, and blood pressure.
It also inhibits the growth of tumors and enhances
some immune functions, reduces the pain and
swelling of arthritis, and completely reverses
premenstrual syndrome in some cases. It has
been known to kill malaria and has been used
successfully to treat bacterial infections."

This article is excerpted from: Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill, Udo Erasmus, © Alive Books, December 1993