Question: Last issue had an article about raw food. A lot of my ‘raw foodist’ friends eat heaps of hemp seed (at great expense) to get their protein and omega 3 oils. What do you think about hemp seeds? Are they a traditional food? Are they a good alternative source of protein and omega 3? - Meaghan
Answer: A number of companies are now selling hemp oil, toasted and shelled hemp seeds and granola bars containing hemp seeds. This is not a good use for hemp. Hemp may be appropriate for domestic animals and birds, but it should not be used for human food. In China, where cultivation of hemp originated, hemp oil was used occasionally, but there are no references in the Chinese literature to the use of hemp seeds as food for human beings. (Simoons, Food in China, 1991)
Hemp oil has been promoted in recent years as a “heart healthy” oil that is rich in essential fatty acids and low in saturated fat. Hemp oil is indeed highly unsaturated, and this is exactly why it should be avoided. Hemp oil is over 75 percent polyunsaturated, containing about 55 percent omega-6 fatty acids and about 20% omega-3 fatty acids. It contains only about 10 percent saturated fatty acids and 10 percent monounsaturated fatty acids. It is, therefore, highly unstable and prone to oxidation; and the high content of linoleic acid makes it particularly unsuitable for human consumption. Diets containing an excess of polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly omega-6 fatty acids, have been linked not only to heart disease but also to cancer and autoimmune disease.
An additional problem derives from the fact that hemp oil may contain traces of cannabinoids and these substances can then turn up in the urine of those who consume it. In one research project, seven adult volunteers purchased hemp oil from a health food store and ingested 15 milliliters each. Urine samples taken at 8, 24 and 48 hours after ingestion were positive for THC. (Journal of Analytical Toxicology October 1997 21(6):482-485.) If these volunteers had been obliged to give a urine sample to their employers, they would have failed their drug test.
Because hemp oil is highly unsaturated, it makes an excellent base for paints and varnishes. In fact, there is no need to consider hemp for human consumption except in small quantities for medicinal purposes. There are many good fats and oils that humans can use and there are many good industrial uses for all the by-products of the hemp plant. Let’s not make the same mistake with hemp that we have made with soy, by promoting its inappropriate use as a human food.
About the Author...
Sally Fallon is founding president of the Weston A Price Foundation, a non-profit nutrition education foundation with over 400 local chapters and 9000 members. She is also the founder of A Campaign for Real Milk, which has as its goal universal access to clean raw milk from pasture-fed animals. Author of the best-selling cookbook Nourishing Traditions and also of Eat Fat Lose Fat (Penguin), both with Mary G. Enig, Phd, Sally has a encyclopedic knowledge of modern nutritional science as well as ancient food ways. Her grasp on the work of Weston Price is breath taking and her passion for health freedom, inspiring. In each edition of Nourished Magazine Sally answers your questions about nutrition, health, food and medical politics. Send us an email with your question and we'll put it to her.
Feb 7th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Finally, I’ve found a reference to traditional consumption of hemp leaves and seeds. Bhang: juice made from seeds AND leaves of the cannabis plant. It is used for intoxication, however.
Jul 28th, 2009 at 8:53 am
While I like Sally Fallon and enjoymany of her articles, this one is full of mis-information and downright absurdities. This culture is so marijuana-phobic, that any mention of hemp drives moonbats out of the culture’s nooks and crannies.
C’mon people. Hemp, Marijuana, Pot, THC is NOT the monster those who would rule over you want you to think it is. Drop the bluenose, puritan attitude; do a little research and join us in the 21st century.
Nov 28th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
I’m stunned by both the density and degree of ignorance and misinformation presented within one short article, apparently based mostly on a retrogressive political viewpoint, as reflected in most of her work. Luckily, science comes to the rescue, so please research this topic for yourself. You might want to begin here: Callaway, J.C. and David W. Pate. Hemp Seed Oil. Chapter 6 in Gourmet Oils and Health-Promoting Specialty Oils, A. Kamal-Eldin and R. Moreau, Eds., pp. 185-213, American Oil Chemists Society Press, Champaign, IL, 2009.
Jul 18th, 2011 at 11:25 pm
The notion that the old testament condones Cannabis is false. Just because the Old Testament says ‘I give you every seed baring plant, does not mean you are supposed to eat them all, or you could try some box poison And the priest did not use cannabis in the anointing. in fact two of the sons of Eli were slain by the Lord for burning strange incense in the temple. Its use would be suitable homeopathicly. And another similar bog was saying that Exodus 30: 22,23 is in favour of cannabis well those verses don’t even refer to it instead it refers to Acorus calamus which is a reed like palm that is very sweet similar in fragrance to Turmeric and cinnamon, or cloves. How many Deaths from cannabis;? they die spiritually. Use righteous judgement; wisdom. and the reference that hemp is good for consumption because of the suitable things, well we do need healthy birds. still not fit for Humans. more like an addiction that many try to justify.