(NaturalNews) Researchers claim that if no other food is consumed, hemp
seeds could sustain a human life for a few months without causing
nutrient deficiency problems. In fact, hemp protein was used in Europe
during tuberculosis outbreaks to reverse the wasting away caused by the
disease.
With a protein structure of 66% edestin and 33%
albumin, hemp seeds (latin: sativa) contain all 8 essential amino acids
plus 2 conditionally essential amino acids. In addition to its
surprising protein profile, it also contains the perfect ratio of omega
fatty acids researchers recommend for good health: 3- omega-3`s to 1-omega-6.
Why Are Amino Acids Important?
A human being needs 21 amino acids to survive: Eight are essential and must be obtained from food; two are conditionally essential and can be synthesized if all the eight essential amino acids are consumed. No other plant or animal source, aside from hemp, contains the first ten amino acids necessary for health. Nor do any of them contain the fatty acid ratio essential for life.
Hemp seeds
are not unique among plant seeds in having all the essential amino
acids. However, they are unique in that they have them in the correct
ratio and they are in the form of globulin edestin at 65% of the protein content. The other 35% of the protein content is albumin.
The globulins contained in hemp seeds
are one of the seven classes of 100% pure amino acids. Globulins make
up the portion of seed between the embryo and the seed coat and they
are a fraction of all animal and human blood. Edestin globulin comes from seed; globulin is in blood plasma. Globulin and albumin are classified as globular proteins. All the enzymes, antibodies, many hormones, hemoglobin, and fibrogin are made from globular proteins.
Albumin,
globulin, and fibrogin make up the fluid part of blood plasma. The
protein portion of the blood answers the call of tissues in need by
providing nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
Similarly
albumin and globulin provide all the nutrients to the seed embryo until
it can begin to provide its own through leaf photosynthesis. The seeds
of most plants contain all the necessary nutrients for metabolic
activity.
Since globulin is the third most abundant protein in
the human body, it is no surprise that it acts as a catalyst for many
other processes, acts as an enzyme and performs necessary functions
within the plasma. It is responsible for the activity of the cells
which make up the immune system. These cells are responsible for
recognizing and destroying foreign invaders such as toxins, viruses,
and dangerous bacteria.
Our body also needs other amino acids in
sufficient quantity in order to manufacture other globulin proteins and
cells structures. Most foods
do not contain sufficient quantities of these essential amino acids nor
the right kinds. Additionally, amino acids in many foods, especially
animal foods, are not available to the body most of the time. Part of
the problem is the structure of the foods which contain them, the other
because humans are not sufficiently equipped as meat eaters to digest
them. This can result in certain globular protein deficiencies which
can result in weakened immune systems.
Since hemp seeds contain
65% globulin edestin and 35% albumin, both in a highly digestible
state, it contains a protein panel similar to that of human blood. In
addition to the necessary amino acids, it contains the right 3:1 ratio
of omega-3 and
omega-6 fatty acids our bodies need to be healthy. Hemp seeds also
contain sufficient quantities of zinc, iron, and magnesium, three of
the most common vitamins implicated in vitamin deficiency diseases.
