Hemp Seeds and Protein

Hemp is the all the buzz these days, and for good reason, it's a plant with literally thousands of uses. It can be used for clothing to fuel to paper and everything in between. It is a weed and capable of growing many different conditions with little added fertilizer or other inputs. Hemp is also very nutritious and can have medicinal properties.

Definitions

• Hemp is known by the Latin plant names as cannabis sativa or cannabis indica. There is not a clear botanical differentiation between the two species, despite some claims otherwise. And in modern times cross breeding has blurred the lines even more. Hemp is a cannabis plant that has no detectable level of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the ingredient that can make the user “high”.
• Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are found only in the seeds of the plant. Omega 3 is an essential fatty acid that cannot be made in the body, so needs to be eaten.
• Industrial hemp is generally grown for its fiber (stems) and seeds. The plants are grown close to each other to promote tall stemmy fibrous plants with lots of seeds. It has very little if any of the cannabinoids (CBDs) found in the leaves.
• Medicinal hemp is grown to enhance the leaf and bud growth, with elevated levels of CBD and no Omega 3 or 6 fatty acids.

Hemp seeds are the most nutritious part of the plant used as food. They have about 20% protein, 6% carbohydrates and about 73% healthy fats. They also have significant amounts of calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc and vitamins A&E. Most diets have an excess of Omega 6 (an inflammatory compound). Hemp has a healthy balance of omega 6 (linolenic acid (25%) to Omega 3 linoleic acid (55%) which is an anti-inflammatory compound. which is considered a perfectly balanced ratio.

Hemp also has the Omega 6 fatty acid gama linolenic acid (GLA), a compound not often found in food. Even though it is type of Omega 6, it has excellent anti-inflammatory properties, as well as cancer fighting immune support and support for insulin resistance.

Hemp protein is highly bioavailable, though is not a complete protein to replace all other sources. One ounce of seed contains 9.2 gm of protein. Sourcing enough hemp seeds to feed your horse has been difficult and expensive. This is changing with Harmany Hemp products being available here. Hemp seeds and the protein that comes from the processing of them is a fabulous way to feed your horses protein without Genetically Modified corn and soybean in the diet.

Hemp oil is now affordable with the Harmany Hemp product line and makes an excellent addition to your horses’ diet for its Omega 3 and 6’s. It must be refrigerated in the hot weather, so may not be convenient to feed depending on your barn. It may be easier to feed the seeds, though even those should be kept cool. You could keep a weeks’ worth at the barn and the rest at home in the air-conditioning in the warm weather.

Hippocrates, many years ago stated: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” And in the case of hemp, it's very true.

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