Hemp Nutrition

The nutritional composition of hemp seed is quite unique and exceptional! Whole hemp seeds contain approximately 36% dietary fat, 26% high quality and digestible protein and 31% carbohydrates comprised mainly of dietary fiber, in addition to an interesting array of vitamins and minerals.

Hemp seeds’ dietary fat is primarily composed of polyunsaturated fats or the “good fats”. Hemp seed oil’s fatty acid profile is comprised of 80% polyunsaturated fats, 11% monounsaturated fats, 9% saturated fats and zero trans fats. Health organizations¹ have recommended that fat intake should make up 20% to 35% of your total calories. They further recommend that most of your fat intake should come from polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, while limiting the intake of trans and saturated fats. Hemp seed dietary fat meets this recommendation.

Hemp seed contains zero trans fat and is cholesterol-free. You do not have worry about your heart and cardiovascular system.

Hemp seed contains one of the highest concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). EFAs are vital for good health but cannot be manufactured by our body, and so they must be present in our diet through the foods we eat. EFAs are both important components of cell membranes and are precursors for substances in the body involved with regulating blood pressure and inflammatory responses.

Hemp seed uniquely contains naturally-occurring Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) and Stearidonic Acid (SDA). GLA and SDA are direct metabolites of Omega-6 and Omega-3 EFAs, respectively. These two metabolites are important for anti-inflammation and auto-immune functions in our bodies.

Hemp seeds are a source of high quality, plant based protein. Analysis of hemp food proteins has resulted in a Protein Rating of 40² and above, meaning that the protein content in hemp foods is not only present in high amounts, but also of a high quality!

Hemp protein is free of trypsin-inhibitors. Trypsin is a key enzyme that breaks down peptide bonds in proteins, enabling more efficient protein uptake in the human body.

Trypsin inhibitors which are found in other protein rich sources like soy can cause flatulence. Hemp seed and foods not only contain a high quality protein, available in high amounts, but they are also free of inhibitors that impede protein digestion making hemp highly digestible.

Hemp protein is very high in dietary fiber. Fiber helps to keep the digestive system healthy and functioning properly. The dietary fiber found in hemp is primarily composed of insoluble fiber.

Hemp is inherently gluten and lactose free. Gluten is a type of protein found in most grains commonly used in cereals and baked goods. Most people allergic to gluten have a similar reaction to lactose and soy. Hemp foods naturally have zero gluten and lactose content.³

A Source of Vitamins and Minerals.

Each vitamin or mineral does a specific job in the body and some of them do extra work in teams, to keep body cells healthy. Some of the vitamins and minerals present in hemp that benefit our health and well being are:

• Good source of folate (Vitamin B9)

  Folate is essential to numerous bodily functions including the production of healthy red blood cells and cells that line the digestive tract. It is especially important during periods of rapid cell division and growth since folate is necessary for the creation and maintenance of new cells, and for DNA and RNA synthesis. Folate is also essential for the prevention of neural tube defects of a fetus during the first few weeks of pregnancy.

• Good source of thiamine (Vitamin B1)

  Thiamine plays a critical role in the energy metabolism of all cells. Thiamine aids conversion of carbohydrates and amino acids into energy and is essential for proper functioning of the heart, muscles and nervous system.

• Contains riboflavin (Vitamin B2)

  Riboflavin is necessary for energy metabolism in our bodies. It is also essential for body growth, reproduction, red cell production and supports normal vision and skin health.

• Contains niacin (Vitamin B3)

  Niacin participates in the energy metabolism of all cells in the body. It aids in the functioning of the digestive system, nervous system, and conversion of food into energy.

• Good source of Vitamin B6

  which aids in the production of antibodies in the immune system, helps maintain normal nerve function and is required for the metabolism of amino acids and fatty acids. Vitamin B6 helps synthesize hemoglobin (for red blood cells) and neurotransmitters (the communication molecules of the brain). Vitamin B6 helps regulate blood glucose and is critical to the development of the brain and nervous system of a fetus.

• Source of Potassium

  that aids the body’s growth and maintenance. Potassium helps maintain normal water balance between the cells and body fluids, electrolyte balance, cell integrity and is critical to maintaining a heartbeat, proper heart function, the transmission of nerve impulses and contraction of muscles.

• Very high in Phosphorus

  that together with calcium is vital for formation of bone, teeth and nerve cells. Phosphorus is part of the DNA and RNA of every cell. It is essential for growth and renewal of tissues and helps maintain the acid-base balance of cellular fluids. Phosphorus assists in energy metabolism and forms phospholipids within the cell membrane.

• Rich in Magnesium

  that assists absorption of calcium and potassium in our bodies. Magnesium is also involved in bone mineralization, activating B vitamins, acting as a nerve and muscle relaxant and providing blood clotting. Magnesium is also responsible for the release and use of energy from nutrients.

• Excellent source of Copper

  that is required by our bodies for absorption, storage and metabolism of iron, the formation of hemoglobin (in red blood cells) and collagen (connective tissue). Copper helps supply oxygen to the body and is required for brain development and nerve cell communication.

• Excellent source of Iron

  which is a major component of our hemoglobin and myoglobin, both of which are responsible for carrying oxygen in the blood and to our muscles. Iron is required in our bodies to make new cells, amino acids, hormones and neurotransmitters. Iron is also important for enzymatic activity in energy-yielding pathways and is involved in producing ATP (adenosine triphosphate) the body’s energy source.

• Excellent source of Zinc

  that assists enzyme activity in all our cells. Zinc also aids protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism, supports the immune system, growth and fertility, wound healing, healthy skin, nails and eyes.

• ¹ Health Organizations include WHO, FAO, Canada Health and US Food and Drug Administration.
• ² Per Health Canada Regulations, Protein Rating = Protein in a Reasonable Daily Intake x Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER); Reasonable Daily Intake for hemp products = 64 grams.
• ³ Hemp seed is naturally gluten-free. However, cross-contamination can occur at the field level during handling, transportation and storage. Hemp Oil Canada conducts regular gluten testing on seed lots, and guarantees that gluten content is <20 ppm, which is the acceptable threshold by both the World Health Organization (WHO) and Health Canada for a gluten-free claim.