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Hemp seed oil

A brief summary of hemp seed oil

  • Hemp seed oil is an oil made from hemp seeds and is rich in essential fatty acids.
  • Hemp seed oil is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
  • Hemp seed oil is commonly used to increase the levels of essential fatty acids in the body, which helps to alleviate skin conditions, reduce the risk of chronic diseases and support the process of muscle growth and regeneration.
  • No undesirable side effects are associated with hemp seed oil, but it is high in calories, so excessive consumption should be avoided by people looking to lose weight.
  • There are no established dosage recommendations or times of use, but a dosage of 30 ml has often been used in studies for the treatment of skin conditions.
  • Hemp seed oil can be combined with most other supplements, although a combination with fat burners and fat blockers is not recommended.

What is hemp seed oil?

Hemp seed oil, often referred to simply as hemp oil, is an oil rich in essential fatty acids and is often used as a source of omega fatty acids, but is also used to treat a range of skin conditions. Hemp seed oil should not be confused with hash oil, which is made from the flowers and leaves of certain types of Cannabis Sativa plants. Hash oil is rich in THC - the active compound in marijuana - while hemp seed oil contains only trace amounts of this compound.

Where does hemp seed oil come from?

As the name suggests, hemp seed oil is made from the seeds of a number of different species of the Cannabis Sativa plant. These are rich in fatty acids and protein, containing 49% fat and 31% protein (1). They are also extremely low in carbohydrates and offer one of the highest protein to calorie ratios of any seed. Hemp seeds are also rich in fiber, B vitamins and a range of minerals and trace elements such as manganese, phosphorus and zinc, to name but a few. However, during the production of hemp seed oil, the protein and most of the vitamins, minerals and trace elements are lost. However, the oil contains large amounts of essential omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which primarily consist of linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, gamma-linolenic acid and stearidonic acid (2).

The benefits of hemp seed oil for health and skin

Hemp seed oil is most commonly used as a rich source of essential fatty acids. As mentioned above, it is rich in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. It is also known for its unique 3:1 ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acids (3), which is considered ideal as a lower omega 6 to omega 3 ratio is associated with a reduced risk of a number of diseases such as cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer (4). In addition to this, hemp seed oil can alleviate the symptoms associated with eczema of the skin (5), as well as other forms of dermatitis and inflammatory skin conditions.

The benefits of hemp seed oil for bodybuilders

Although there are no specific studies that have investigated the potential performance-enhancing effects of hemp seed oil, due to its high content of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, hemp seed oil can help support training and training results in several ways. In particular, omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to have a positive effect on amino acid and glucose uptake into the muscles and can both aid muscle recovery and reduce negative symptoms associated with inflammatory joint disease (6). Hemp seed oil is therefore an excellent supplement to support muscle growth and regeneration and to protect against joint problems.

Hemp seed oil side effects, safety and disadvantages

There are no major concerns regarding the consumption of hemp seed oil. Unlike hash oil, hemp seed oil only contains very small amounts of THC and is therefore not subject to any sales restrictions. However, as hemp seed oil is still a fat, it provides 9 kcal per gram, making it a very high calorie supplement. People who are trying to lose fat should therefore be careful not to consume too much hemp seed oil.

Recommended dosage and timing of intake

There are no specific dosage recommendations for hemp seed oil, but a dose of 30 ml has been used in studies investigating its use to relieve the symptoms of eczema. There are also no specific recommendations regarding the timing of ingestion.

Hemp seed oil supplements

Hemp seed oil supplements are often sold in liquid or capsule form. However, there are also companies like HempOmega that sell powdered, microencapsulated hemp seed oil, which is easier to add to powdered products. As such, it could be used as a good alternative to linseed oil powder in protein powders or amino acid supplements, especially for products for vegans or vegetarians.

Possible combinations of hemp seed oil with other supplements

Hemp seed oil can be easily combined with most other supplements including protein powders, pre-workout products, amino acid products and hormone support products. However, fat blockers and fat burners that contain fat blockers can prevent much of the absorption of hemp seed oil, so hemp seed oil should be taken farther apart from these supplements.

References

  1. "Nutrition Facts for Hemp Seeds (shelled) per 100 g serving". Conde Nast, Custom Analysis. 2014 Retrieved 19 February 2015
  2. Montserrat-de la Paz S, Marín-Aguilar F, García-Giménez MD, Fernández-Arche MA. 'Hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.) seed oil: analytical and phytochemical characterization of the unsaponifiable fraction.' J Agric Food Chem. 2014 Feb 5;62(5):1105-10.
  3. Callaway, J. C. (2004). 'Hempseed as a nutritional resource: An overview'. Euphytica 140: 65-72.
  4. Simopoulos AP. 'The importance of the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 essential fatty acids.' Biomed Pharmacother. 2002 Oct;56(8):365-79.
  5. Callaway, J.; Schwab, U.; Harvima, I.; Halonen, P.; Mykkänen, O.; Hyvönen, P.; Järvinen, T. (2005). "Efficacy of dietary hempseed oil in patients with atopic dermatitis". Journal of Dermatological Treatment 16 (2): 87-94.
  6. Smith, G.I. et al, 'Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids augment the muscle protein anabolic response to hyperinsulinaemia-hyperaminoacidaemia in healthy young and middle-aged men and women' (2011) 121(6) Clinical science