Can Dietary Hemp Help With Inflammation and Cancer?

Becca Wolford, Contributing Writer
Waking Times
Cancer. It’s one word that no one wants to hear in their diagnosis. It is certain that most of us in one way or another have been touched by cancer or know someone who has. However, cancer is no longer a guaranteed early death sentence.
Cancer research has come a long way. There are medicines that help treat cancer or kill it. An IMPORTANT factor in cancer recovery is nutrition. And what better way to beat cancer than with the world’s most perfect, healthy plant?
Cancer can be caused my numerous factors. Some say there is a genetic link – that some cancers run through family generations. Poor diet, smoking, injury, illness, environmental toxins, inflammation – these can all have a hand in the appearance of cancer.
Studies have shown that inflammation is the cause of many diseases and illnesses, including cancer.

“This study by researchers at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center — Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC — James) found that inflammation stimulates a rise in levels of a molecule called microRNA-155 (miR-155).
This, in turn, causes a drop in levels of proteins involved in DNA repair, resulting in a higher rate of spontaneous gene mutations, which can lead to cancer.” (www.sciencedaily.com)

“Chronic inflammation is a major cause of cancer in the world because it releases powerful oxidants which both stimulate cell division and are mutagens.” (users.rcn.com)

What is inflammation?

“Inflammation is part of the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. Inflammation is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process. Inflammation is not a synonym for infection, even in cases where inflammation is caused by infection. Although infection is caused by a microorganism, inflammation is one of the responses of the organism to the pathogen.” (Wikipedia)

Below are some causes of inflammation:
Immune reactions
Infection
Physical injury
Toxins
Trauma
Irritants (chemical, abrasive, etc.)
Burns/cuts/scrapes
Bacteria
Anxiety/depression
Poor diet
All of the above conditions can affect the immune system, and when the immune system kicks in this is what can happen:

“Pro-inflammatory cytokines are part of our immune systems that attack and kill cells with oxidative chemicals. If they don’t stop their attacks, they will start killing cells our bodies need. Unchecked inflammation is now thought to be responsible for cardiovascular disease and cancers.” (http://www.mnwelldir.org)

It is also believed that chronic inflammation is the result of low oxygen in the cells.
So, you may be asking, where does hemp come into play in all this?
If you recall, above I mentioned that poor nutrition can be a factor in inflammation. If the cells are not getting the nutrients they need they become unhealthy.
For example, hemp has the perfect ratio of Omega fatty acids. Fatty acids work to keep the cells healthy and strong, and keep the membranes supple for nutrients to easily pass in. Omega fatty acids are also the components in hemp that have anti-inflammatory properties.
Hemp has edestin protein, the protein closest to human globulin (and it is easily digested by the body). Edestin protein boosts the immune system by building what are called immunoglobulins, edestin works to repair cells, and also maintains cell DNA.
 

When the DNA in cells is damaged, that can cause cancer. When those damaged cells multiply, they cause cancer to grow.
Hemp is a complete protein and is one of the most nutrient dense plant sources on the earth. Because it is so nutrient dense, it makes it a perfect addition to the diet to improve and sustain health. It has been shown that in some instances poor nutrition have a hand in the occurrence of disease; proper nutrition with plenty of Omega fatty acids, protein, fiber, and micronutrients found in hemp can be the turning point to good health (along with wise diet choices, exercise, and removing as many toxins as possible).
It is a known fact that a nutrient-rich diet can treat or reverse disease. Can hemp cure cancer? Some say yes.
Does a diet rich in hemp help strengthen the body and immune system? That is a definite yes.

About the Author

Becca Wolford is a writer, entrepreneur, artist, reiki practitioner, and hemp activist. She has experienced first-hand the nutritional and healing benefits of hemp and her passion is learning, writing, and educating others about the benefits of hemp – benefits that encompass nutritional health for humans, a healthy environment, and a healthier economy. Becca also distributes Versativa, an amazing raw, clean, hemp-based nutritional supplement and Restoration90, a raw, clean, nutritional product with marine phytoplankton, hemp, and essential nutrients for optimum health. Please support her at her excellent blog Hemphealer.com.
This article is offered under Creative Commons license. It’s okay to republish it anywhere as long as attribution bio is included and all links remain intact

Medical Marijuana For Autism?

By TruthOnPot.com on April 23, 2013

TruthOnPot.com – Autism can be a major source of stress and self-doubt for parents of diagnosed children. It’s all-too-common for parents to wonder whether there was something that could’ve been done to prevent their child from getting the disorder.
But while the overall occurrence of autism seems to be trending upward, the truth is that scientists are not any closer to identifying a cause, not to mention a cure.
So for parents struggling to find an effective treatment for their child’s condition, recent research on medical marijuana may be welcomed news.

What is Autism?

Symptoms appear in a child’s first 3 years. Image source

Autism (also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder) is a mental condition that starts to take effect within the first three years of a person’s life. Symptoms of autism are most pronounced during childhood and are estimated to affect 2% of U.S children.

Autism interferes with normal brain function and is characterized by 3 core symptoms: impaired communication, impaired social interaction and repetitive patterns of behaviours and interests. And although researchers have yet to identify the exact source of autism, a disorder known as Fragile X Syndrome remains the most commonly known genetic cause.
Autism occurs on a broad spectrum, meaning that each individual’s case is unique. Still, a number of pharmaceuticals are commonly prescribed to help patients manage their symptoms, ranging from stimulants to antipsychotics. Unfortunately, many of these drugs come with serious side effects, including the risk of heart problems and weight gain.
Parents have expressed serious concern over the risks associated with the use of pharmaceuticals, not to mention the significant portion of patients who respond poorly to these medicines. As a result, some are beginning to see medical cannabis as a safer and more effective alternative.

How Can Marijuana Help?

The endocannabinoid system – the body’s natural cannabinoid system – is known to play a therapeutic role in a wide range of disorders. Recent evidence suggests that it may play a role in the treatment of autism as well.
Given that autism is strongly linked to genetics, researchers at the University of California set out to investigate the role of cannabinoids in Fragile X Syndrome. Published in 2012, the study showed that levels of 2-AG (2-arachidonoylglycerol) – a natural cannabinoid that binds to CB1 receptors – were depressed in animals with the disorder. Furthermore, by increasing levels of 2-AG, the researchers were able to reduce some of the symptoms of autism, including behavioural defects.
Interestingly, a more recent study seemed to identify a link between the endocannabinoid system and immune cells sampled from children with autism. Immune dysfunction is believed to be another factor that contributes to the disorder, and, according to this study, may be linked to higher levels of CB2 receptors expressed by cells. While CB1 receptors were not found to be overexpressed, CB2 receptors play a much larger role in immune regulation. Based on these findings, the authors of the study concluded that CB2 receptors could be a therapeutic target for the management of autism.
Finally, various cannabinoid studies have provided strong evidence of marijuana’s medical benefits, which also prove to be exceptionally versatile. Autism may be just one of the many disorders for which medical cannabis can be used for, as summarized by Lebanese psychiatrist Dr. Rami Bou Khalil in a letter to the editor of the Journal of European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (2012).

“CBD and THC may help in improving symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder by their sedative, antipsychotic, anticonvulsant and tranquilising effects.” – Dr. Rami Bou Khalil

What Doctors Are Saying

Evidence of medical marijuana’s usefulness in the treatment of autism comes mostly from anecdotal evidence. Indeed, while scientific research has yet to advance to the clinical stage, doctors and patients alike have already indicated their support.
Dr. Bernard Rimland, the late founder of the Autism Research Institute, was one of the first health professionals to write on this topic. In comparing the overall safety of marijuana to more common medications like Risperdal, Dr. Rimland asserts that marijuana is a much safer substance.

“…if one is going to need to use drugs, one ought to consider a relatively safe drug, like marijuana, if research bears out the good results that a number of parents have reported.” – Dr. Bernard Rimland

And despite the preliminary nature of current research, good results seem to have already been bore, although more studies need to be conducted before anyone can be certain.
Yet for some patients, more conclusive evidence doesn’t appear to be necessary. According to Dr. Jean Talleyrand, founder of the Oakland medical marijuana dispensary Medicann, 4 out of some 150,000 of his patients have sought cannabis for the treatment of autism.

“All four patients have had very good results.” – Dr. Jean Talleyrand

Medical Marijuana - Cerebral Palsy (Jacqueline Patterson)

 

 

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Phytoremediation: Using Plants to Clean Soil / Hemp

Phytoremediation: Using Plants to Clean Soil

Back to Map Page February, 2000: Chernobyl (Ukraine) On the morning of April 26, 1986, a small town in the former Soviet Union was the site of a nuclear explosion that literally shook the earth. The historic accident at Chernobyl Nuclear Plant Reactor 4 in the Ukraine caused severe radioactive contamination. Families within a 30-km zone of the power plant were evacuated, and in the months that followed, extensive contamination was discovered in areas up to 100 km from the site. Scientists are hopeful that plants may play a key role in cleaning up some of the contamination. In 1989, three years after the explosion, the Soviet government asked the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to assess the radiological and health situation in the area surrounding the power plant. Among the most significant findings were radioactive emissions and toxic metals--including iodine, cesium-137, strontium, and plutonium--concentrated in the soil, plants, and animals. Such substances are potentially harmful to human health. For example, although iodine tends to disappear within a few weeks of exposure, it can be inhaled or ingested and then accumulated in the thyroid gland, where it delivers high doses of radiation as it decays. Since 1991, the Canadian Nuclear Association has noted a marked increase in the incidence of thyroid cancer in the area surrounding the nuclear accident. Cesium-137, radioactive cesium with a mass number of 137, can enter the food chain and deliver an internal dose of radiation before it is eliminated metabolically. A food web. Apparently these toxic substances entered the food chain via grazers, such as cows and other livestock, that fed on plants grown in contaminated soils. The toxins then accumulated and concentrated in the meat and milk products eventually consumed by humans. Additionally, wild foods, such as berries and mushrooms, are expected to continue showing elevated cesium levels over the next few decades. To prevent further spread of these toxins, it was determined that livestock should be allowed to feed only on uncontaminated plants and on plants not tending to accumulate toxic metals within their tissues. Then a soil cleanup method was employed using green plants to remove toxins from the soil. This technique is phytoremediation, a term coined by Dr. Ilya Raskin of Rutgers University's Biotechnology Center for Agriculture and the Environment, who was a member of the original task force sent by the IAEA to examine food safety at the Chernobyl site. Phytoremediation is a process that takes advantage of the fact that green plants can extract and concentrate certain elements within their ecosystem. For example, some plants can grow in metal-laden soils, extract certain metals through their root systems, and accumulate them in their tissues without being damaged. In this way, pollutants are either removed from the soil and groundwater or rendered harmless. Today, many researchers, institutes, and companies are funding scientific efforts to test different plants' effectiveness at removing a wide range of contaminants. Raskin favors Brassica juncea and Brassica carinata, two members of the mustard family, for phytoremediation. In laboratory tests with metals loaded onto artificial soil (a mix of sand and vermiculite), these plants appeared to be the best at removing large quantities of chromium, lead, copper, and nickel. Several members of this family are edible and yield additional products such as birdseed, mustard oil, and erucic acid, which is used in margarine and cooking oil. Researchers at the DuPont Company have found that corn, Zea mays, can take up incredibly high levels of lead. Z. mays, a monocot in the Poaceae or grass family, is the most important cultivated cereal next to wheat and rice, yielding such products as corn meal, corn flour, cornflakes, cooking oil, beer, and animal feed. Phytokinetics, a company in Logan, Utah, is testing plants for their ability to remove organic contaminants such as gasoline from soil and water. Applied Natural Sciences in Hamilton, Ohio, is taking a slightly different route by using trees to clean up deeper soils, a process they call "treemediation." University researchers from the UK reported in the May 1999 issue of Nature Biotechnology that transgenic tobacco plants can play a role in cleaning up explosives. Fruit of Brassicaceae. Zea mays. Helianthella sp. In February 1996, Phytotech, Inc., a Princeton, NJ-based company, reported that it had developed transgenic strains of sunflowers, Helianthus sp., that could remove as much as 95% of toxic contaminants in as little as 24 hours. Subsequently, Helianthus was planted on a styrofoam raft at one end of a contaminated pond near Chernobyl, and in twelve days the cesium concentrations within its roots were reportedly 8,000 times that of the water, while the strontium concentrations were 2,000 times that of the water. Helianthus is in the composite, or Asteraceae, family and has edible seeds. It also produces an oil that is used for cooking, in margarine, and as a paint additive. H. tuberosus was used by Native Americans as a carbohydrate source for diabetics. Cannabis sativa. In 1998, Phytotech, along with Consolidated Growers and Processors (CGP) and the Ukraine's Institute of Bast Crops, planted industrial hemp, Cannabis sp., for the purpose of removing contaminants near the Chernobyl site. Cannabis is in the Cannabidaceae family and is valuable for its fiber, which is used in ropes and other products. This industrial variety of hemp, incidentally, has only trace amounts of THC, the chemical that produces the "high" in a plant of the same genus commonly known as marijuana. Overall, phytoremediation has great potential for cleaning up toxic metals, pesticides, solvents, gasoline, and explosives. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that more than 30,000 sites in the United States alone require hazardous waste treatment. Restoring these areas and their soil, as well as disposing of the wastes, are costly projects, but the costs are expected to be reduced drastically if plants provide the phytoremediation results everyone is hoping for. Meanwhile, of the original four reactors at Chernobyl, Reactors 1 and 3 are still operating today, providing 6,000 jobs and about 6% of the Ukraine's electricity. Reactor 2 was closed after a fire in 1991; the construction of Reactors 5 and 6 came to a grinding halt after the explosion. References, Websites, and Further Reading "Sunflowers Bloom in Tests to Remove Radioactive Metals from Soil and Water," Wall Street Journal, 29 February 1996.

Comer Finalizing Trip to Washington to Talk Hemp

By Kenny Colston, KPR-Frankfort

Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer is finalizing details for an upcoming trip to Washington, D.C., to try and get a federal waiver for industrial hemp. Earlier this year, Kentucky lawmakers passed a bill setting up a regulatory framework for hemp growing in Kentucky. Comer promises to work at the federal level for legalization or a waiver.

Enlarge image

Credit File photo

James Comer

And now, Comer says he'll be head to Washington the week after Derby meeting to meet executive branch officials and others.
"Very high level people in the Obama administration, very high people in Congress outside of Kentucky, then we'll have a meeting in Senator McConnell's office with the Kentucky delegation," Comer says.
U.S. House member from Kentucky, Brett Guthrie and Ed Whitfield, now support the hemp efforts, Comer says .That leaves U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers as the Kentucky delegation's only opposition to hemp

Hemp Factsheet from an Agricultural Standpoint

 

1. Plant Description

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is an annual herbaceous plant with a slender stem, ranging in height from 4 to 15 feet and a diameter from 1/4" to 3/4". The innermost layer is the pith, surrounded by woody material known as hurds. Outside of this layer is the growing tissue which develops into hurds on the inside and into the bast fibers on the outside. The stem is more or less branched, depending on the crop density. When sown thickly the stems do not branch. The leaves are of a palmate type and each leaf has 7 to 11 leaflets, with serrated edges. The strong tap-root penetrates deep into the soil. However, if the soil conditions are unfavorable, the main root remains short, while lateral roots become more developed.

2. Soil and Soil Preparation

Soils

Industrial hemp can be grown on a wide variety of soil types. Hemp prefers a sufficiently deep, well-aerated soil with a pH pf 6 or greater, along with good moisture and nutrient holding capacity. Poorly drained soils, however, are not recommended as excess water after heavy rains can result in damage to the hemp crop. Hemp is extremely sensitive to flooding and soil compaction

Soil Preparation

A fine, firm seedbed is required for fast, uniform germination of hemp seed. Conventional seedbed preparation and drilling are probably ideal. The seedlings will not emerge uniformly if the seed is placed to a depth greater than 2 inches. "No-till systems" can also be used with good results, but may be more vulnerable to erratic emergence depending on the growing season.

3. Nutrition

To achieve an optimum hempyield, twice as much nutrient must be available to the crop as will finally be removed from the soil at harvest. A hemp field produces a very large bulk of vegetative material in a short vegetative period. The nitrogen uptake is most intensive the first 6 to 8 weeks, while potassium and in particular phosphorous are needed more during flowering and seed formation. Industrial hemp requires 105 to 130 lbs./acre (120 to 150 kg./ha) nitrogen, 45 to 70 lbs./acre (50 to 80 kg/ha) phosphate and 52 to 70 lbs./acre (60 to 80 kg/ha) potash.

4. Growing Conditions

Hemp prefers a mild climate, humid atmosphere, and a rainfall of at least 25-30 inches per year. Good soil moisture is required for seed germination and until the young plants are well established.

5. Weed Control

Industrial hemp is an extremely efficient weed suppressor. No chemicals are needed for growing this crop. Industrial hemp is a low maintenance crop. There are no registered chemicals for weed control in hemp. A normal stand of 200 to 300 plants per square meter shades out the weeds, leaving the fields weed-free at harvest for the next crop.
Notice the canopy effect created by the dense planting. When properly planted and cultivated, weed control is a non issue.

6. Time of Seeding

The best time to seed hemp should be dictated by the weather and soil conditions, rather than the date on the calendar. Hemp can be seeded as early as two weeks prior to corn provided that soil conditions are optimum. However, seeding should not begin until soil temperatures have reached a minimum of 41 - 46 deg.F. (6 - 8 deg C.). Hemp seed germinates within 24 to 48 hours, and emerges in 5 to 7 days with good moisture and warm temperature.

7. Plant Population

High yields of high quality fiber can be achieved with proper plant density. Seeding rates of 250 to 400 viable seeds per square meter are probably ideal, depending on soil type, soil fertility and cultivars. The seed or grain production will require lower seeding rates.
This stand is ready to harvest. Note the uniformly dense population.

8. Breeding Characteristics

Generally, hemp is a dioecious plant ( a plant having the stamens [male] and the pistils [female] borne by separate plants of the same species ). However, there are three classifications of varieties:

• monoecious varieties - when male and female flowers develop on the same plant;
• dioecious varieties - with distinct male and female plants;
• female predominant varieties, obtained by pollinating dioecious females with monoecious pollen.

9. Cultivar Types

There are two types of industrial hemp based on their use.

• fiber cultivars - with long stalks and little branching; (shown to the left)
• seed cultivars - with shorter stalks, larger seed heads and may have numerous branches (seed contains 30 - 35% oil). (shown to the right)

10. Rotation

Hemp can be grown on the same ground for several years in succession but rotation with other crops is desirable. Hemp responds well to most preceding crops. It is also possible that introduction of hemp in a crop rotation might improve the soil health. In 1996, Kenex Ltd. of Canada observed that hemp may significantly reduce the population of soybean cyst nematodes.

11. Harvest

Harvesting of hemp for high quality fiber occurs as the last pollen is shed. Harvesting for seed occurs 4 to 6 weeks later, when 60% of the seed has ripened. Fiber hemp is normally ready to harvest in 70 to 90 days after seeding. The end use of the product may significantly impact on the harvesting method.
Kennex Ltd. of Canada, is developing a harvesting system that will be compatible with the new processing technology. For fiber production, the crop will be cut, dew retted in the field, baled and stored or processed.

12. Retting

The bast fibers are obtained by retting - a microbial decay of pectin, the substance that glues the fiber to the woody core of the hemp stem together. Retting is carried out in the field and depending on the weather, takes 12 to 18 days to complete. During retting, the stems need to be turned one or two times in order to allow for even retting, since the stems close to the ground will remain green while the top ones are retted and turn brown. Retting is complete when the fibers turn a golden color and separate easily from the mass to finer fibers.

13. Yield

Based on yield data from 1995 and 1996 along with preliminary estimates for 1997, yield expectations are between 3 to 5 tons of baled hemp stalks per acre on well drained loamy soils in South Western Ontario.

14. Storage

For storage, the moisture content of hemp stalks should not exceed 15%. The bales can be stored for a long time in dry places which could include storage sheds, barns or other covered storage.
The information provided in this fact sheet is based on research sponsored by Kenex Ltd., RR#1, Pain Court, Ontario, Canada, N0P 1Z0. The information reflects research data gathered from the test plots at Ridgetown College and the Kenex pre-commercial field trials at Pain Court. Information is based on research from 1995 thru 1997 at these two facilities.

How Hemp Seed Oil Can Help Your Arthritis

By Jack Prime
There is a huge problem that exists today with the enormous number of people suffering from arthritis in its many forms. It is said that well over half the population of this country who are over 60 suffer from either osteo or rheumatoid arthritis.
What both forms of the disease actually are I will not go into here, as it is a long and complex subject. But, arthritis is a form of inflammation which mainstream medicine appears unable to address.
Both are caused by what I call "bone and cartilage gravel", the bits of bone and cartilage which are left in the joints after the body has started to degenerate, rubbing in the joints each time it moves. This "gravel" rubs on the nerve ends, causing pain, whilst at the same time creating more damage as the "gravel" continues to rub away more of the bone and cartilage. In other words, a vicious circle that modern medicine cannot resolve.
But there are ways in the alternative remedy field that may, and I know of many cases that have, been able to break this circle.
I recommend that a daily Hemp Oil Capsule, or the liquid neat, which is quite tasty, and can be taken off a spoon, should be considered long term. Hemp Oil comes from hemp seed: THE MOST NUTRITIONALLY COMPLETE FOOD SOURCE IN THE WORLD.
Taking a quality Hemp Oil is just the same for your body as putting oil in your car's engine. It lubricates the system. Hemp is unique with an almost perfectly balanced profile of Omega 3, 6 & 9 to match the body's requirements.
Uniquely among common seed oil, it also contains GLA (Gamma-Linolenic Acid) and even more uniquely, raises circulating GLA.
GLA (Gamma-Linolenic Acid) research around the world has shown that hemp oil (as can all essential fatty acids) boosts the body's natural ability to heal and also boosts our immune systems. The Essential Fatty Acids in hemp are renowned for their ability to improve cell growth and organ function, vitality and mental state.
Extensive studies have shown that many common illnesses (such as Eczema, Arthritis and many other problems) are related to deficiencies or imbalances of specific fatty acids, and in particular, Omega 3, 6 & 9. Seeds of the plant cannabis sativa, hemp seed (not the drug plant!) contain all the essential amino acids and essential fatty acids necessary to maintain healthy human life. No other single plant source has the essential amino acids in such an easily digestible form, nor has the essential fatty acids in as perfect a ratio to meet human nutritional needs.
Its distinctive nutty flavour makes it ideal for use in salad dressings, dips etc., as an accompaniment to all vegetables, or taken straight, as a nutritional supplement.
Hemp Oil is suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/219636

Cannabis chemical combats chief genetic cause of autism – Health, News – Belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Autism can be helped with out deadly pharmaceuticals.

Once again we see the stunning scope of therapeutic applications for cannabis/marijuana and we have to ask; when will the politicians learn some science and defend the peoples’ right to use this nearly free remedy that has fewer side effects and better outcomes than standard pharmaceutical remedies? Politicians like Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer are pathetic, failed leaders who care nothing about the suffering or healing of average people with cancer, AIDS, pain syndromes but spend their time grubbing more and more money to bulk up their already enormous fortunes. What filth and scum they are. Learn the science, confront the enemies of humanity and publicly humiliate them. Here’s the latest:
Cannabis chemical combats chief genetic cause of autism
Natural cannabis-like chemicals in the brain may help combat the leading genetic cause of autism, research has shown.Scientists linked blockages in a signalling pathway dependent on the compounds, called 2-AG endocannabinoid transmitters, with symptoms of Fragile X syndrome.Correcting the fault with drugs led to dramatic behavioural improvements in mice with a version of the condition.Fragile X syndrome is the most common known genetic cause of autism.It results from a mutation in the FMR1 gene on the female X chromosome. Men possess one copy of the chromosome, paired with a male Y chromosome, and women two.Boys are much more likely to be born with Fragile X than girls. This is thought to be because with two X chromosomes, a defect in one may be compensated for by the other.People with the syndrome suffer mental impairment, learning difficulties, and may be hyperactive or impulsive. They also possess notable physical characteristics such as an elongated face, flat feet and large ears.The scientists, writing in the journal Nature Communications, stress that while their discovery may help people with Fragile X syndrome it will not provide a cure.”What we hope is to one day increase the ability of people with Fragile X syndrome to socialise and engage in normal cognitive functions,” said lead researcher Professor Daniele Piomelli, from the University of California at Irvine in the United States.The study was the first to identify the role of endocannabinoids in the neurobiology of Fragile X, she said.About endocannabinoidsEndocannabinoid compounds are created naturally in the body and share a similar chemical structure with THC, the primary psychoactive component of the marijuana plant, Cannabis.Endocannabinoids are distinctive because they link with protein molecule receptors — called cannabinoid receptors — on the surface of cells. For instance, when a person smokes marijuana, the cannabinoid THC activates these receptors. And because the body’s natural cannabinoids control a variety of factors — such as pain, mood and appetite — they’re attractive targets for drug discovery and development.Piomelli is one of the world’s leading endocannabinoid researchers. His groundbreaking work is showing that this system can be exploited by new treatments to combat anxiety, pain, depression and obesity.

Episode 114 The Effinays - Part 2 on the Chevy Music Showcase

Colorado hemp grower to plant historic first U.S. crop in decades

By Steve Raabe

Ryan Loflin, owner of Colorado Hemp, is leasing 60 acres of his father's alfalfa farm in Springfield to plant hemp and install a press to squeeze the oil from the seeds. (AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

Read more: Colorado hemp grower to plant historic first U.S. crop in decades - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_23066385/colorado-hemp-grower-plant-historic-first-u-s#ixzz2R6dTuZqE
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The Denver Post

Ryan Loflin plans to make history, becoming the nation's first commercial-scale hemp grower in almost 60 years. In a few days, he will plant his hemp crop on a farm in the far southeastern corner of Colorado. Loflin and a handful of other growers are set to capitalize on hemp's new legal status in Colorado.
Plenty of financial, operational and legal challenges lie ahead. But cultivating the marijuana look-alike is no novelty pursuit for Loflin, who owns a company called Colorado Hemp. He sees it as a commodity that one day could help reverse the sagging fortunes of rural Colorado.
"I believe this is really going to revitalize and strengthen farm communities," said Loflin, 40, who grew up on a farm in Springfield but left after high school for a career in construction.
Now he returns, leasing 60 acres of his father's alfalfa farm to plant the crop and install a press to squeeze the oil from hemp seeds. He'll have a jump on other farmers, with 400 starter plants already growing at an indoor facility prior to transplanting them in the field.
Hemp is genetically related to marijuana but contains little or no THC, the psychoactive substance in marijuana.
The sale of hemp products in the U.S. — including food, cosmetics, clothing and industrial materials — reached an estimated $500 million last year, according to the Hemp Industries Association.
Yet because of a federal prohibition on growing, all hemp used in U.S. products is imported from foreign countries.
With the November passage of Amendment 64, which legalized hemp in addition to small amounts of marijuana, Colorado becomes a test case on the issue of how much muscle the federal government will flex against states with legal cannabis.
"Once this market is really able to develop — when the feds get out of the way and eliminate the regulatory hurdles — there is definitely potential for measurable economic impact," said Eric Steenstra, executive director of the Hemp Industries Association.
Springfield banker Jay Suhler allows that there could be economic impact eventually, but don't count him among the boosters yet. He remains circumspect — even with the drought-induced depression that has afflicted southeast Colorado for much of the past decade.
"We're a conservative bunch around here," said Suhler, manager of Frontier Bank.
"I imagine we'd probably stick with our core crops of corn and milo and wheat," he said. "The first few years you try a new crop, it can be pretty iffy. But in a few years, who knows what might happen?"
Two hundred miles north of Springfield, Yuma County corn farmer Mike Bowman also is preparing to plant hemp this year.
Bowman has been a frequent visitor to Washington, D.C., seeking to persuade federal officials to end the hemp prohibition that makes prospective Colorado growers technically criminals.
A hemp-legalization bill is pending this year in Congress, with bipartisan support.
Until the federal-state legal disconnect is resolved, growers face the challenge of starting an industry without the benefits held by conventional farmers, such as federal crop insurance.
Colorado State University, the state's premier agricultural research institution, is not studying hemp because of the fear of losing federal contracts.
"The law is clear on this matter, and we do not want to do anything that would unintentionally result in personal criminal liability for CSU employees or that would disqualify the institution from obtaining future government funding," said Joseph Zimlich, CSU system board of governors chairman, in a recent letter to U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo.
However, Zimlich said the board "will look more closely at the issue of industrial hemp research at its May meeting."
Another practical challenge for farmers is acquiring hemp seed for cultivation. Federal law does not permit the sale or import of nonsterilized seed suitable for growing.
It's the hemp farmer's equivalent of what recreational-marijuana activists call "the year of the magical ounce" — a reference to the unanswered question of how people can obtain marijuana for current legal use before state-permitted retail facilities open in 2014.
Bowman said he has friends who have sent him seed from feral hemp plants that are survivors from decades ago, before hemp was ruled illegal in the U.S.
A benefit of the feral plants is that they carry natural genetic resistance to drought — a desirable quality especially for farmers who hope to grow their crops without irrigation.
Like other prospective farmers, Bowman and Loflin plan to experiment with different seed varieties to determine their traits, especially the ability to produce oil.
Seed oil is viewed as the hemp product in highest demand from food and cosmetics manufacturers. Fiber from hemp stalks is a smaller market.
Loflin and business partner Chris Thompson said that with their own oil press, they plan to become buyers or processors of seed from other growers.
Based on data from Canada's legal hemp industry, hemp seed generates revenue for farmers of $390 an acre, according to Erik Hunter, director of research and development for HempCleans, a Colorado-based advocacy group.
That makes hemp lucrative compared with most other conventional crops.
"I think that once people see the value of hemp," said Loflin, "it'll become a no-brainer."
Steve Raabe: 303-954-1948 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 303-954-1948 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlighting , sraabe@denverpost.com or twitter.com/steveraabedp


Read more: Colorado hemp grower to plant historic first U.S. crop in decades - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_23066385/colorado-hemp-grower-plant-historic-first-u-s#ixzz2R6cWDYsk
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Despite lack of THC, hemp remains illegal federally

By Steve Raabe
The Denver Post

Hype about hemp is rising despite federal laws that recognize no distinction between hemp and marijuana.
The cannabis plants are genetically similar but with one important difference: Hemp contains only trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive substance that gets marijuana users high.
Yet the U.S. government considers hemp to be, like marijuana, a Schedule 1 controlled substance. That makes hemp's cultivation illegal, except with special federal permits that are rarely issued.
Hemp has been grown and used as a textile at least since the 5th century B.C. It was an important crop in colonial America and throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.
But the first anti-hemp salvo from the feds came in the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, which required cannabis growers to be licensed and taxed.
Cultivation was temporarily encouraged during World War II — witness the government's "Hemp for Victory" campaign — and some residual growing took place through the 1950s.
But a further federal crackdown occurred with the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, which classified any product containing any amount of THC as an illegal drug.
Now, at least nine states, including Colorado, have laws allowing hemp production, and several more have introduced legislation. A bill pending in Congress would end the federal prohibition on hemp.
Steve Raabe: 303-954-1948 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 303-954-1948 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlighting


Read more: Despite lack of THC, hemp remains illegal federally - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_23066253/despite-lack-thc-hemp-remains-illegal-federally#ixzz2R6aScucm
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Marijuana Prohibition Now Costs The Government $20 Billion A Year: Economist

NEW YORK -- Marijuana prohibition now costs state and federal government as much as $20 billion a year, an economist told The Huffington Post -- and legalization efforts are only just beginning to chip away at that.
That number comes from Jeffrey Miron, a senior lecturer at Harvard University who in 2010 studied the likely impacts of drug legalization, finding that about $8.7 billion would be saved on law enforcement and another $8.7 billion would be generated from taxes on marijuana. Accounting for inflation, that would add up to about $20 billion now, he said.
The number is modest in terms of the overall government budget -- but far too high a price to pay for a drug that does little to harm non-users, he argued.
As Miron acknowledges, his number is sort of a thought experiment, a suggestion of what would happen if marijuana was legalized on every level of government. Despite a recent Pew Research poll finding that 52 percent of Americans support marijuana legalization, politicians seem to only just now bewarming up to that proposition.
In Colorado and Washington, voters led the way in November referendums. But the rules and regulation around marijuana, which will be treated similarly to alcohol and tobacco under the states' laws, are only beginning to be hammered out.
During the runup to Washington's referendum, the state branch of the American Civil Liberties Union estimated that local governments spent $211 million on enforcing marijuana laws between 2000 and 2010.
Alison Holcomb, the state ACLU's drug policy director, told HuffPost that local governments are already reaping the rewards of legalization.
"Just within a week after the vote, county prosecutors across the state started dismissing misdemeanor marijuana possession cases that were pending at the time, and there were over 220 cases that were dismissed," she said. "So that was a very tangible example of the criminal justice costs that we were already saving, even before the actual initiative went into effect."
Although the potential marijuana tax revenues were a major selling point for voters in Colorado and Washington, neither state has yet decided how it will tax the green stuff. The states' decisions are being complicated by the Obama administration, which has yet to announce how it will respond to legalization.
If the feds take a hard line, said Miron, expect state tax collections to be insignificant. "I think a lot of their industries are going to stay sort of in the shadows. There's going to be very little tax revenue collected," he said.
Whatever happens to state treasuries, the human costs of marijuana laws are clear: around 750,000 people were arrested for marijuana-related crimes in 2011. That's one arrest every 42 seconds.

Brain Cancer Research - Cannabinoid Studies and Academic Journals

Congress Predicts Current Congress Will Legalize Hemp

by David Borden, April 17

Posted in:

• Congress
• Hemp

Earl Blumenauer at Brookings marijuana legalization forum, April 2013

I attended a forum on marijuana legalization at The Brookings Institution Monday, where Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), one of a handful of Congressional champions of marijuana law reform, was one of the speakers. Along with his general optimism for where the issue is going, Blumenauer predicted that the current Congress -- #113, in office this year and next -- will legalize hemp growing.
That may be a less bold prediction than in the past -- with the highest-ranking Republican senator supporting hemp now, Mitch McConnell, it should be more likely -- but it's still a fairly bold prediction, when one thinks about just how long Congress has refused to do anything for this utterly no-brainer of an issue. One of Blumenauer's reasons was that a House bill to legalize hemp growing, H.R. 525, also is being sponsored by a Kentucky Republican, Thomas Massie.
You heard it here first. (Unless you also watched the Brookings forum.)

Using marijuana to break a narcotic dependency

How Bill Kicked the Pills

By Larry Gabriel

Published: April 10, 2013

Bill had six back surgeries by the time he was 31 years old. The first was during the ninth grade after he injured his back getting tackled on the football field, rupturing a disc in his lower back. The surgery followed a few months later, resulting in his missing most of that academic year.
In 10th grade, some not-so-smart kid pulled a chair from under him as he was going to sit down, which led to another ruptured disc and another surgery. In 11th grade he slipped on some wet grass. Disc fragments and other effects from his injuries led to nerve problems. He underwent the knife a third time.
He said things weren’t so bad after that. Although he had ongoing back issues, he lived a fairly normal life and didn’t have to take pain medication. Then, at age 29, he entered his car to go to work one day and felt a pain run down his leg, which subsequently led to surgery No. 4 and the removal of disc fragments pressing against a nerve. Then there was another … and another.
“I continued to have severe nerve pain down my right leg,” Bill says. “It felt like someone took a knife, stuck it in some hot coals, stabbed me in the leg and dragged it along. I started seeing a pain management doctor. I just lived that way every day. Surgically there was nothing else they could do. The doctors didn’t want to do another operation.”
Bill is not his real name. He asked for anonymity because, after recently returning to work after years of painkiller addiction, he doesn’t want his employer to know about his current use of medical marijuana.
“I tried the basic narcotics, Neurotonin, Alyrica, the list is a mile long,” he says. “I was taking OxyContin, stuff like that, time release Codeine. That started out in relatively small doses. Over the next 10 years I fell into a downward spiral. Pain medication allowed me some semi-functionality but I became a dependent. Your tolerance level goes up over time [and] was all supervised by my pain management doctor. There was no recreational use.”
Bill and his wife had a daughter right before his back went out at 29. He was divorced about two years later and all those surgeries kept him out of work. As his life swirled down the toilet, he moved in his parents’ basement. His weight soared up near 400 pounds; he was diagnosed with Type-2 Diabetes. Blood flow in his legs became so constricted he was developing ulcers in his lower legs.
“I was getting to the point where something had to happen,” says Bill.
What happened was that, in 2008, voters approved Michigan’s Medical Marihuana law. A friend of Bill’s dad suggested trying marijuana instead of painkillers. While Bill had smoked pot when he was younger, he had stopped in the early 1990s. He didn’t know where to get it. His pain doctor didn’t know anything about it and wouldn’t sign his state recommendation to get certified for medical use. Then he met a medical marijuana activist and found a doctor who would sign his recommendation.
“I started eating and smoking copious amounts of marijuana,” says Bill. “At the same time. I was tapering off my narcotic use and, after eight months, I was off narcotics 100 percent. That was the beginning of the change in my life. I lost 175 lbs., everything changed. It alleviates some of the nerve pain, but doesn’t take it away. Still I was able to use that to get off narcotics completely.”
Thereafter, Bill began receiving sporadic work in computer technology and now he’s working fulltime. “My motivation came back. I started looking for more serious work. That led to where I’m at now,” he says. “My life has gone 180 degrees the last three years.”
When Bill prepared to kick the painkillers, he used Simpson oil and smoked about two ounces of marijuana a month to break his narcotic dependency. Now, he says, he doesn’t even use the oil and smokes less than an ounce a month.
“I don’t smoke when I’m at work or during the day,” Bill says. “Previously, when I wasn’t working, once the pain reached a certain threshold I used it. I’m having pain in my leg constantly. I have techniques that I use to control it, like deep breathing.”
Bill went back to his pain doctor after he beat his addiction. Now his doctor will sign his medical marijuana certification application. Not only that. His doctor has asked him to speak to other patients about how to use marijuana to control pain.
“He’s got patients asking me about it,” says Bill. “Initially, when I talked to him about it, he was not even remotely receptive.”
Bill’s experience with marijuana has been the exact opposite of what folks with a Reefer Madness mindset would expect. I wonder what else the substance might be useful for.

Not all oils are the same: The past few columns I have discussed Simpson Oil, the highly concentrated preparation that some people use to treat very serious illness. However, there are less concentrated preparations that some people are using for topical use. Gershom Avery, a medical marijuana activist and former lab tech at Dow Chemical and Dow Corning, who lives in Dexter, has developed what he calls Peanut Butter’s Topical Oil.
Avery’s nickname is Peanut Butter, but there is no peanut butter oil in the preparation. His mixture is 95 percent olive oil. In addition to marijuana, Avery uses a collection of herbs and spices, “that interact well with what cannabis does.” Those include Echinacea and turmeric, but Avery doesn’t want to give away the entire formula. He sells kits with all the ingredients except marijuana.
The kits have instructions on how to infuse your own marijuana for patients. Avery claims his oil works well for diabetic neurotic pain, and ailments with inflammation such as arthritis and bulging discs. Fibromyalgia and migraine headaches (rub the oils on your temples) are also on the list. There is plenty of information on Avery’s oil available on YouTube. Avery is also familiar with Simpson Oil preparation and will advise others on how to make it. You can contact Avery through his Facebook page “Peanut Butter’s Topical Oil.”
This is the end of the series on how people are using medical marijuana. I’ll return to looking at legal issues and public activities around the subject. Of course, I’ll also discuss medical use when those stories present themselves.

Larry Gabriel is a writer, musician and former editor of Metro Times. Send comments to letters@metrotimes.com.

Hemp has Extensive Nutritional Value

Hemp Seed BENEFICIAL These oils (vegetable oils) only contain omega-3 that are converted very slowly in the body into DHA and EPA. DHA and EPA are the Very Long Chain Fatty Acids omega-3, essential for humans, and that have curative and preventive properties. Hemp is the only one that contains both gamma-linoleic acid and alpha linoleic acid, especially useful for cystic livers. This is the one essential fatty acid, omega 3's that I have found that does not increase liver cyst symptoms. AVOID Fish oil, flaxseed as these seem to increase liver cyst symptoms and growth.

-- select a HEMP SEED article -- Cholesterol-induced stimulation of platelet aggregation is prevented by a hempseed-enriched diet. FAQ's about Hemp Seed Chia vs Flax Seed or why Chia is better for you Hemp Seed Benefits The results of the first above study article, demonstrates when hempseed is added to a cholesterol-enriched diet, cholesterol-induced platelet aggregation returns to control levels. This normalization is not due to a reduction in plasma cholesterol levels, but may be partly due to increased levels of plasma GLA. Here are some distinctions which separate Manitoba Harvest™ Hemp Seed Oil and flax seed oil; 1. Hemp Seed Oil has a 3.75:1 Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio (considered optimal). Flax Seed Oil has a 1:4 Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio. 2. Hemp Seed Oil is a direct source of GLA, Flax Seed Oil is not. 3. Hemp Seed Oil is a direct source of Sterodonic Acid, Flax Seed Oil is not. 4. Hemp Seed Oil contains chlorophyll, Flax Seed Oil does not. 5. Hemp Seed Oil has a pleasant nutty flavor, Flax Seed Oil does not. Why is Manitoba Harvest™ hemp seed oil so green? Manitoba Harvest™ Hemp Seed Oil contains a high amount of chlorophyll. Due to low temperature processing the chlorophyll is not destroyed. Chlorophyll is a rich green color thus our hemp seed oil is green. What do you take while traveling for omega 3's?For travel I take Manitoba Harvest hemp seed oil capsules. These are all organic. I take hemp seed oil to supply the body with Essential Fatty Acids EFA. I have tried hemp seed butter on toast, but found the green color slightly off putting. I drizzle a teaspoon of hemp oil mixed with olive oil on my salad or raw vegetables. Hawaii is the only state within the United States with approval for growing industrial hemp. Other forms of EFA, essential fatty acids such as flaxseed and fish oil, creates discomfort and pain and it increases the girth of my abdomen causing my liver cysts to grow and ache. Hemp seed is a good daily source of omega 3's and essential fatty acids. Here is a site that compares prices and a sit with some frequently asked questions about hemp seed. Another oil some have tried is chia seeds. There is also hemp protein meal, hemp cereal, hemp butter, hemp milk and even hemp ice cream. Why is hemp seed oil better than other oil supplements for obtaining EFA essential fatty acids? Hemp oil contains more EFA essential fatty acids than flax; it is free of potential toxic contaminants (fish oil has high levels of mercury and pesticides); it provides the perfect 3:1 EFA essential fatty acid proportions needed by the body. Hemp has a perfect balance of Omega 3 and Omega 6 EFA's. Not having this perfect ratio can in the long run (i.e. a year or longer), taking exclusively Flax oil, can leave you deficient in Omega 6's. Hemp oil doesn't have this problem as it already has the perfect ratio. The only down side is that taking Hemp oil/seeds can theoretically lead to a positive drug test for marijuana, because of the minute amount of trace compounds present in the oil. If you have a job which requires drug testing, then it is probably a good idea to avoid Hemp oil for this reason. Hemp oil can be substituted for flax oil in any regime. Serving of hemp seed oil you will get: Omega 6 - 7 grams Omega 3 - 2.4 grams GLA - 2 grams Vitamins A, D, C, and E Chlorophyll Rich in Antioxidants Hemp seed oil is very high in tocopherols, natural preservatives which extend shelf life and are a powerful anti-oxidant. The oil has a nice, nutty taste. Hemp Seed Oil has a low flash point, so it is best served cold. Please avoid frying with it as much of the nutrients will be burned off if you attempt to do this. Instead, use it as a condiment, salad oil, or in a morning smoothie. It is a lovely emerald green color caused by the oil's naturally occurring chlorophyll. According to hemp seed oil processor Manitoba Harvest, a distinct advantage of hemp seed oil vs. flax is its content of the rare direct metabolites of Omega-6 and -3 called Gamma-Linoleic Acid (GLA) and Stearidonic Acid (SDA). These metabolites are the same fats that are found in fish oils and are involved in the production of prostaglandin for hormones and in immune functions. GLA is a “super” omega-6 that some studies have shown may help reduce heart disease; enhance effectiveness of cancer treatments; treat problem skin conditions; prevent inflammation-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s, arthritis and asthma; and modify lipids to reduce triglycerides. GLA is also believed to help bypass enzymatic blocks in sluggish bodies that have metabolisms compromised by stress, environmental toxicity or aging to allow proper utilization of omega-6 EFA's. SDA is a powerful omega-3 that is purported to offer about five times the potency of “regular” ALA omega-3. Of the three hemp shakes, the only one that might be useful for PKD'rs the Berry Pomegranate Hemp Shake might be useful to try. The chocolate contains caffeine, harmful to PKD'rs and the Amazon Acai contains Maca. Maca stimulates progesterone receptors. Any questions contact Nutiva directly. There is also a bread made with hemp seed but it contains soy. Soy makes my liver cysts grow and ache. I bake my own non-yeasted spelt bread with hemp seeds for a balance of omega 3's and essential fatty acids. Overview Omega 3 to Omega 6 Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids, which means that they are essential to human health but cannot be manufactured by the body. For this reason, omega-3 fatty acids must be obtained from food. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fish and certain plant oils. It is important to maintain an appropriate balance of omega-3 and omega-6 (another essential fatty acid) in the diet as these two substances work together to promote health. Also known as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA's), omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function as well as normal growth and development. There are three major types of omega 3 fatty acids that are ingested in foods and used by the body: alpha-linoleic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Once eaten, the body converts ALA to EPA and DHA, the two types of omega-3 fatty acids more readily used by the body. Extensive research indicates that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and help prevent certain chronic diseases such as heart disease and arthritis. These essential fatty acids are highly concentrated in the brain and appear to be particularly important for cognitive and behavioral function. In fact, infants who do not get enough omega-3 fatty acids from their mothers during pregnancy are at risk for developing vision and nerve problems. As mentioned previously, it is very important to maintain a balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the diet. Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation and most omega-6 fatty acids tend to promote inflammation. An inappropriate balance of these essential fatty acids contributes to the development of disease while a proper balance helps maintain and even improve health. A healthy diet should consist of roughly one to four times more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3 fatty acids. The typical American diet tends to contain 11 to 30 times more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3 fatty acids and many researchers believe this imbalance is a significant factor in the rising rate of inflammatory disorders in the United States. In contrast, however, the Mediterranean diet consists of a healthier balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and many studies have shown that people who follow this diet are less likely to develop heart disease. The Mediterranean diet does not include much meat (which is high in omega-6 fatty acids) and emphasizes foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids including whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, olive oil, garlic, as well as moderate wine consumption. The Hemp Sisters have a clothing line and some hemp brownie mixes and a few food products available. AVOID Flaxseed if you have liver cysts. I have tried in every form made. Each time it has caused my liver to ache and grow. I am sorry to report, but quite a few individuals have reported that flaxseed increases liver cyst symptoms. I thought perhaps it was from freshly ground flaxseed. I was taking a tablespoon of freshly ground flaxseed daily and I too noticed that my liver started enlarging. I was determined to get my omega 3 essential fatty acids, I tried flaxseed oil gel caps (organic Barleans). I tried these daily and this too made my liver grow and ache. I even tried the golden flaxseed with the same results. The golden had a better taste, to me. Perhaps it may be the phytoestrogens in flaxseed that causes this growth in liver cysts? Liver cysts have estrogen receptors. Exposure to estrogen, phytoestrogens or xenoestrogen triggers the growth of these cysts. AVOID Why is there estrogen in my flaxseed oil? Flax seed is in fact “linseed” which is what linen is made out of. Linseed contains a very high amount of plant based estrogen and phytoestrogens.And as a non food product linen has been allowed the use of many more pesticides and herbicides sprays and chemicals that are forbidden for food produce. This has helped create a super estrogen disruptor by combining non food herbicides with a later plant used as food. Whether or not flaxseed oil raises your natural estrogen levels is very controversial. Some say that the plant based estrogens in the oil mimic the natural estrogens in our body and therefore raise our estrogen levels. Others say that the phytoestrogens actually level out any estrogen imbalances we have in our body. After repeated painful episodes following taking flax seed, I stay away from flaxseed oil. Fish oil supplements as well as salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines, and catfish triggers liver cyst growth,aches, and pains. The only source of omega 3's I have found to impart the protection and leave me without any increase in abdominal girth and pain is hemp seed oil. I have yet to try chia. Chia has been used by the Tarahumara Indians, a running tribe in a remote region of Mexico to take them flying around the countryside and nourish them on their 500 mile foot races. Hemp Seeds are a complete protein. They have the most concentrated balance of proteins, essential fats, vitamins and enzymes combined with a relative absence of sugar, starches and saturated fats. Hemp Seeds are one of nature's perfect foods - a Super Food. This is one of the most potent foods available, supporting optimal health and well being, for life. Raw hemp provides a broad spectrum of health benefits, including: weight loss, increased and sustained energy, rapid recovery from disease or injury, lowered cholesterol and blood pressure, reduced inflammation, improvement in circulation and immune system as well as natural blood sugar control. Hemp belongs to the genus Cannibis sativa and has been cultivated for thousands of years as a source of fiber, edible seeds, edible oil, lubricant, and as a fuel. Benefits of Hemp Seeds • Hemp Seeds are a perfect and natural blend of easily digested proteins, essential fats (Omega 3 & 6), Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA), antioxidants, amino acids, fiber, iron, zinc, carotene, phospholipids, phytosterols, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin D, vitamin E, chlorophyll, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, copper, potassium, phosphorus, and enzymes. • All amino acids essential to optimum health are found in Hemp Seeds, including the rarely found Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA). • The 17+ grams of omega fats supplied by Hemp Seeds provides sufficient, continuous energy throughout your day. Many users also experience these health benefits: • Excellent source of essential fatty acids including Omega 3, 6 and GLA in the perfect balance. • More digestible protein than meat, whole eggs, cheese, human milk, cows milk or any other high protein food • Rich in Vitamin E • Increases energy levels & metabolic rate • Lowers blood LDL cholesterol levels • Lowers blood pressure • Improves cardiovascular circulation & function • Improves organ function • Improves immunity levels • Reduces symptoms of PMS & menstrual cramps • Reduces inflammation and the symptoms of arthritis • Improves recovery of muscles after exercise • Reduces & treats dry skin and hair conditions • Reduction of many degenerative diseases through preventative measures • Can be eaten by those unable to tolerate nuts, gluten, lactose or sugar; there are no known allergies to hemp foods. • Essential Fatty Acids in Hemp Seeds The oil contained in the hemp seed is 75-80% polyunsaturated fatty acids (the good fats) and only 9-11% of the lesser desired saturated fatty acids. Hemp seed oil is reputed to be the most unsaturated oil derived from the plant kingdom. The essential fatty acids (EFAs) contained in hemp seed oil are deemed essential because our bodies do not naturally produce them. This means that they must be obtained from the food we eat. Most health organizations agree that the human body needs a 3 or 4:1 balance of omega 6 over omega 3. Hemp seed is the only seed where this ideal balance occurs. It does not occur in flax, almond, walnut, soybean or olive oil. Daily use of flax seed can lead to dangerous imbalances since flax seed oil has a balance of 1:4 instead of a healthy 4:1 omega-6 over omega-3. EFAs are involved with producing life's energy throughout the human body and without them, life is not possible. In general, North Americans have a high dietary deficiency in EFAs due to their high intake of processed foods and meats. Extensive studies have demonstrated that many common illnesses are related to deficiencies or imbalances of specific fatty acids in the body. Symptoms are often related to a lack of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids and their derivatives, the postaglandins. It has been proven in several clinical studies that dietary supplementation with EFAs or their metabolites (such as GLA) will often prevent or even cure many forms of illness. Hemp protein is also a complete source of all 20 known amino acids including the 9 essential amino acids (EAAs) which our bodies cannot produce. Approximately 65% of the protein in hemp seed is made up of the globulin protein Edestin, and is found only in hemp seed. Edestin aids digestion, is relatively phosphorus-free and considered the backbone of the cell's DNA. The other one third of hemp seed protein is Albumin, another high quality globulin protein similar to that found in egg whites. Hemp protein is free of the tryspin inhibitors which block protein absorption and free of oligosaccharides found in soy, which cause stomach upset and gas. Hemp Seeds are a more digestible protein than meat, whole eggs, cheese, human milk, cows milk, or any other high protein food. They have a better spectrum of available proteins than soybeans--without the soybean anti-nutritional factors. They are an excellent protein product for everyone - mothers, babies, body builders, convalescents, the elderly, EVERYONE. The oil component consists of preferred ratios of all essential fatty acids (EFA's): With 78% essential fats hemp oil greatly exceeds soy oil at 40%, canola oil at 30%, olive oil at 10% and other oils. Omega 3 and Omega 6 essential fats may reduce cholesterol, blood pressure, coronary heart disease and stroke. The 3:1 ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 EFA's in hemp oil is thought to be the best in nature for promoting cellular health. Hemp oil contains more "Omega 3" EFA components (19%) than are found in any fish and in most fish-oil supplements. Hemp foods reduce inflammation and benefit those with arthritis, cardiovascular disease, psoriasis--even tuberculosis. By improving circulation and reducing inflammation, hemp products may be particularly beneficial for diabetics. As a rare source of GLA, hemp seeds may be beneficial to those too ill to synthesize this EFA from other fats. Hemp oil contains plant sterols which may reduce the risk of colon and prostate cancer. Cellular Health: There are many long-term health benefits that can be experienced. Hemp Seed is one of the best balanced sources of Omega 3 and Omega 6 essential fatty acids. Hemp Seed contains only small amounts of saturated and mono-unsaturated fats which can be easily converted to energy. Hemp Seed is also an unsurpassed source of the whole spectrum of required proteins, it promotes vigorous cellular development with diverse health benefits: Reduced cholesterol and blood pressure after three months -- with decreasing probability of stroke. Reduction in the inflammatory characteristics of many hundreds of diseases. More rapid recovery from disease, from radiation treatment and from injury. Improvement in circulation: Diabetics may notice warmer, then less discolored, feet. More effective immune system with reduced incidence of all types of disease

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.<sup>3

Information Provided by: Hemp Oil Canada, Thank you!</sup>

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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.