Hemp

About 30-35% of the weight of hempseed is hemp oil, an edible oil that contains about 80% essential fatty acids (EFAs); i.e., linoleic acid, omega-6 (LA, 55%), alpha-linolenic acid, omega-3 (ALA, 22%), in addition to gamma-linolenic acid, omega-6 (GLA, 1-4%) and stearidonic acid, omega-3 (SDA, 0-2%). Hempseed also contains about 20% of a highly-digestible protein, where one third is edestin and two thirds are albumins. Its amino acid profile is close to "complete" when compared to more common sources of proteins such as meat, milk, eggs and soya. The proportions of linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid in one tablespoon (15 ml) per day of hempseed oil easily provides human daily requirements for EFAs. Unlike linseed oil, hempseed oil can be used continuously without developing a deficiency or other imbalance of EFAs. This has been demonstrated in a clinical study, where the daily ingestion of linseed oil decreased the endogenous production of GLA. Hempseed is an adequate source of calcium and iron. Whole, toasted hempseeds are also a good source of phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, copper and manganese. Hempseed contains no gluten and therefore would not trigger symptoms of coeliac disease.