Health Fitness :: Health
The Joys of Hemp by Kent McGroarty
EDGE ContributorThursday Nov 19, 2009 What is the richest source of Essential Fatty Acids and protein? The answer may surprise you. Essential Fatty Acids, which the body does not produce but desperately needs, are found in foodstuffs such as deep water fish, fish oil, and flaxseed. These acids are necessary to keep the body working properly and looking young and pretty, and while flax and fish oil are excellent sources of these acids, the best source is hemp oil! Hemp oil is the richest source of Omega 3-6-9 Essential Fats, along with being perhaps the best source of protein there is!
Hemp originated as a wild plant grown in Central Asia and was farmed in China more than 6,000 years ago. The Chinese understood the amazing health benefits of hemp long before the plant reached Europe 1,000 years ago. European peasants used hemp in numerous ways, the most popular being hemp butter, which was extracted from ground-up hemp seeds.
Hemp is very high in natural antioxidants Vitamins C, E, and chlorophyll. It is a "highly digestible" form of protein, as opposed to meat sources, particularly red meat, which is incredibly difficult for the body to digest. The protein content found in hemp seed is 34.6%, a much higher percentage than the protein found in nuts, seeds, meats, dairy products, fish, or poultry! Hemp oil also generally contains less than 10% saturated fatty acids and contains no trans-fatty acids.
A great source of hemp products is health food industry leader Nutiva, which has been making the best in hemp products since 1999. Nutiva was the first company to introduce the hemp food bar "at a time when the extraordinary nutritional value and ecological benefits of hemp foods were little known." Nutiva also produces coconut oil and flax products and was one of the first companies to have non-GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) stamps on their products. They source only non-GMO ingredients and all food used is grown on organic farms! One percent (1%) of Nutiva sales goes to organizations promoting sustainable agriculture.
Considered by leading health experts to be one of "the most nutritious foods on the planet," hemp products are a super way to keep energy levels up, skin glowing and organs harmonizing. With the state of the meat industry today, not to mention the danger of high-fat, high cholesterol animal products, it is definitely a good idea to look to hemp foods as a great source of protein and fatty acids!
Kent McGroarty is a freelance writer. She is a frequent contributor to EDGE’S Style, Travel, Health, and Fitness channels. Contact her at kentmcgroarty@yahoo.com.
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