| << BACK
|
Hemp for Nutrition- The Facts
|
|
Hemp seeds have the most complete edible and usable protein in the vegetable kingdom. Although soybeans are said to contain more, much of it is unusable by the human body. Proteins serve such functions as acting as enzymes, antibodies, and the structural components of tissues, hormones, and blood protein. The main function of dietary protein is to supply the building blocks called amino acids so that they can be used to reconstruct other proteins needed for the growth and maintenance of body tissue.
Proteins are often classified as structural (fibrous) or biologically active (globular). Structural proteins include collagen, keratin, and fibrinogen, which are the main constitutents of bones, skin, hair, ligaments, feathers, and hooves! Biologically active proteins are mainly globulins and include such things as hormones, hemoglobin, antibodies (immunoglobulins), and enzymes. Although the body can make globular proteins out of any protein that enters the body, it is much more efficient for the body to make globulins out of globular starting material.
What makes globular proteins so special is that they are precursors to some of the most vital chemicals in the body:
• hormones (which regulate all the body processes);
• hemoglobin (which transports oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitric oxide);
• enzymes (which catalyze and control biochemical reactions);
• antibodies (immunoglobulins which fend off invading bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, as well as toxins or antigens as they enter the body).
The total protein content of hemp seed is about 65% of the globular protein edestin, which closely resembles the globulin found in human blood plasma. It is easily digested, absorbed, and utilized by humans and vital to maintaining a healthy immune system. Edestin has the unique ability to stimulate the manufacture of antibodies against invasive agents and is nearly phosphorus-free, which is important for kidney ailments. The other important protein in hemp seed is albumin, which is also a highly digestible protein because of its globular shape. Albumin is a major free radical scavenger and is the industry standard for protein quality evaluation.
Hemp protein contains all 21 known amino acids, including the 8 essential ones adult bodies cannot produce. Proteins are considered complete when they contain all the essential amino acids in sufficient quantities and ratios to meet the body's needs. The following are the 21 most common amino acids, with the 8 essential ones in bold:
alanine histidine taurine
arginine isoleucine threonine
aspargine leucine tryptophan
aspartic acid lysine tyrosine
cysteine methionine valine
glutamic acid phenylalanine taurine (considered essential for premature babies)
glutamine proline histidine (considered essential for children, but not for adults)
glycine serine
Proteins are potential allergens, which also include soy, dairy, or peanut proteins. However, no hemp seed allergies have ever been reported. Several oilseeds also contain anti-nutritional factors; for example, the trypsin inhibitors in soybeans; but none of these factors are known to occur in hemp seeds. Hemp seeds also contain fewer oligosaccharides, present in peas and beans and which cause intestinal gas. A significant number of people are becoming allergic to soy products, possibly because most are from genetically engineered crops or grown with the use of chemicals. On the other hand, because hemp seed does not require chemicals or genetic alteration, it rarely, if ever, causes sensitivity.
Hemp seed protein can supply any diet with a vegetarian source of essential fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fibre, chlorophyll, and a complete, balanced gluten-free source of the essential amino acids.
Proteins compared: Essential amino acids compared
Hemp is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as having what is considered to be an optimal 3:1 balance of omega 6 to omega 3 essential fatty acids.
Hemp foods also have low environmental impacts because growing hemp seeds do not require the addition of herbicides or pesticides.
A pound of hemp seed would provide all the protein, essential fatty acids, and dietary fibre necessary for human survival for two weeks. For this reason it is used in many parts of the world for treating malnourishment. How far does a pound of meat go?
www.innvista.com/helath/foods/hemp/seedprot.htm
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The first pair of blue jeans was made by Levi Strauss out of hemp sailcolth. |
|
|
|
|
|