You know the joke among Type 1 Diabetics about getting high? People living with Type 2 Diabetes do not share the same humor. But people with hypertension soon might.
An article from The Joint Blog came out, which says hemp seed can be a potential treatment for hypertension. There is a strong possibility that it can also prevent the disease. Since I have hypertension as well, it all sounds good to me.
Hemp And Hypertension
The hemp plant family has been utilized for producing various goods for so many years. In fact, scientists consider them as among the world’s healthiest bounty.
Researchers conducted a study at the University of Manitoba in Canada. Based on results, hemp seed’s protein content hydrolysate (HMH) accounts for controlling blood pressure. This is due to its strong hypotensive effects. Scientists used hypertensive lab rats to determine the major key player in this reaction.
The researchers concluded: “The results suggest that HMH with strong hypotensive effects in SHRs could be used as a therapeutic agent for both the prevention and treatment of hypertension.”
The European Journal of Nutrition also studied genetically-prone rats by putting them through hydrolized hemp seed diet for eight weeks. The result was a slow development and reduction of signs of hypertension. Test results showed lowered renin and plasma ACE levels in the blood.
Hemp Seed: A Little Background
Hemp seed is a derivative of the plant cannabis sativa from which the more popular medical marijuana is also obtained. The earliest use of cannabis dates back to 8000 BC in Taiwan. But it was Emperor Shen Neng of China who introduced it as a medicinal plant in 2700 BC.
Soon the Chinese people began using hemp fibers to weave cloth. Many things followed after that until it became popular around the world. It was only in 1910 though that hemp became notorious for recreational use. This was the Mexican Revolution. Mexican immigrants sought refuge in the US and introduced marijuana as a form of narcotic.
Several countries also began banning the production, trade, and use of marijuana. But, note that marijuana is still used for medical purposes.
Aside from being a major ingredient in various medicines, hemp seeds are also in demand in many industries.
- Hemp is often used to produce a wide range of goods. Manufacturers create durable cloth materials out of its bast fiber.
- Manufacturers use hemp seed oil to make oil-based paints and the other parts to make paper textile plastics and bio-fuel.
- The food industry also use hemp to make teas and milk plant-based protein supplements
And many more…
Our Indian ancestors also smoked them during rituals to call upon spirits to empower them. They interpret its transcendental effects as the spirits’ response to their prayers. This was back when Science served as an underdog to religion and spiritualism. It was all Scientific after all.
Hemp Seed Nutrition Profile
The study has brought higher chances of reducing the risks of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. Scientists are looking to isolate and further test the antihypertensive protein in hemp as the next step. Determining the effective dosage for hypertension medication will also require additional lab tests.
Although the study on hypertension and hemp seed is not yet complete, you can start enjoying its health benefits by including hemp-based food products to your diet. There are hemp seed milk, hemp seed oil, raw hemp seed, and hemp protein powder. And there’s no reason why you should not try hemp as part of your daily meal.
- Hemp seed oil has 80% essential fatty acids of EFAs
- 70% linoleic acid or LA
- 15-25% alpha-linolenic acid or ALA
- 1-6% of gamma linolenic acid or GLA
- Contains superior amino acids edestin and albumin
- Has high digestibility profile
- High in B vitamins and antioxidants
Just as the Chinese people did not stop at weaving cloth, Scientists won’t stop at hypertension medication. This means more revolutionary hemp-based antidotes. Higher mortality rate is also possible.