Our extra-virgin, cold-pressed, certified organic hempseed oil is a polyunsaturated fat. Canadian made. It contains the highest amount of essential fatty acids (EFA’s) of any vegetable oil (80%). Essential fatty acids are a necessary part of our diet. Our bodies cannot manufacture them. The EFA’s in our oil include Omega 6 (linoleic acid), Omega 3 (alpha linolenic acid) and GLA (super gamma linolenic acid). An important feature of our hempseed oil is the ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 essential fatty acid. Udo Erasmus in his book, “Fats that Heal Fats that Kill”, states that the ideal ratio is 3 to 1. Our hempseed oil at 3:1 is nature’s most perfectly balanced oil. It is the only vegetable oil with this ideal ratio. Bestselling author, Dr. Andrew Weil, one of the most important leaders in health and healing rates hempseed oil as the #1 vegetable oil.

Our bodies convert EFA’s into prostaglandins. It is well documented that prostaglandins act on all organs in the body. Many researchers have identified these prostaglandin functions and inherent benefits of proper EFA intake. The following is a partial list of these benefits:

Strong recent evidence also suggests that people suffering from multiple sclerosis and attention deficit disorder may benefit from a properly balanced EFA intake.

In summary, our hempseed oil is a highly nutritious, well balanced oil that is essential to our diet.

WHAT ARE ESSENTAIL FATTY ACIDS?

Essential Fatty Acids are referred to as EFAs, Omega-3 is alpha linolenic acid and Omega-6 is linoleic acid. As defined in Mosby’s Medical Encyclopedia c 1995, essential fatty acid: a polyunsatured acid, as linoleic, linolenic, and arachodonic, that is essential in the diet for the proper growth and finctioning of the body It forms prostaglandins, which help organ muscles contract, regulate stomach acid, lower blood pressure, and regulate body temperature. Essential fatty acid also aids in fat transport and metabolism. It is necessary for the normal functioning of the reproductive system, hormone regulation, and for breaking up cholesterol depostits in the arteries. A deficiency of essential fatty acids causes changes in cell structure, resulting in slowed growth and other disorders. Symptoms include brittle and dull hair, nail problems, dandruff, allergies, and dermatitis, especially eczema in infants. Published bythe authority of the Minister of National Health and Welfare, “Nutrition Recommendations, the Report of the Scientific Review Committee 1990” recommends an ideal ratio of Omega-6:Omega-3 be between 4:1 and 10:1. Our Hempseed oil is 3:1 - the closest ratio found in nature.

Due to modern food processing and food consumption trends, today’s Western diet contains only 1/6th of the Omega-3 fatty acids which were to be found in the diet of our nineteenth century counterparts! While the Omega-6 fatty acid content of our diet is generally sufficient, the excess trans-fats, ingested in hydrogenated foods, often prevent EFAs from being converted to the prostaglandins required to regulate many of the body’s metabolic functions. The addition of hempseed oil to the daily diet corrects both of these problems. The well-balanced EFA content assists in the maintenance of a desirable level of both physical and mental health.

UNIQUE AMONG VEGETABLE SEED OILS

Apprx. 80% of the fatty acids in hempseed oil are polyunsatured and it is reputed to be the most polyunsatured vegetable seed oil known in the plant kingdom. EFAs are needed to maintain and protect essential functions of various body cells. They are chemically reactive, drawing oxygen to produce energy and provide passage for the necessary minerals and molecules through the cell tissues, blood plasma and across cell membranes and capillary walls. As well as being involved in the chemical processes of the cells, EFAs are precursors of the prostaglandins which regulate the immediate functioning of many metabolic processes. Hempseed oil’s uniqueness lies in the high quantity of Omega-3 that it contains in combination with Omega-6. Apart from such exotic seed oils as chia and kukui, the only seed oil that has a higher level of Omega-3 is flax seed (linseed) oil, which contains comparatively little Omega-6. The nutty, flavourful taste of hempseed oil is far superior to the therapeutic taste of flax seed oil.

Hemp is also the only seed which contains Super Omega-6 - gamma-linolenic acid - the natural precursor to the prostaglandins to which linoleic acid is converted. This provides the means to bypass any blockages to Omega-6 conversion caused by such factors as trans-fatty acids, body stress or auto-immune conditions.

DAILY ESSENTIAL FATTY ACID REQUIREMENTS

While the exact amount of Omega-3 & Omega-6 required by the

human body is debatable and varies depending on physical activity, stress levels and hormone differences, optimum ranges are as follows:

OMEGA-6 8 to 14 grams or

3 to 6% of daily calories consumed.

OMEGA-3 1.4 to 4.6 grams or

0.5 to 2% of daily calories consumed.

Apprx. 1 to 2 tablespoons daily provides the desirable level of EFA. Optimum EFA function requires Vitamin E, Vitamin C, carotene, niacin, pyridoxine, magnesium & zinc in the diet, all of which are present in hemp seeds.