The hemp plant is one of nature’s most beneficial plants. Offering both food and medicine, there are a variety of ways the hemp plant is helpful to humans and animals alike. Hemp seeds are nutritional powerhouses, packed full of protein, vitamins, and essential fatty acids omega-3’s and omega-6’s. The hemp plant itself is full of beneficial cannabinoids, which support the whole body. Cannabinoids, or CBD, are quite popular these days for everything from stress to skin health. People and their pets can benefit from using the whole hemp plant to support their better health.
It’s important to note that the hemp plant, while part of the cannabis family of plants, contains very low levels of THC (the psychoactive part of the marijuana plant) and will not get you or your pet “high”. Instead, the hemp plant offers us food and supplements in the form of nutrition and CBD.
All of the benefits mentioned in this article apply to people and pets more or less equally. This is one more thing you and your pet have in common!
Nutritional Benefits of Hemp Seeds
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Protein.
Hemp seeds contain almost as much protein as the soybean, one of the world’s biggest sources of plant protein. Proteins are made up of amino acids, and many plant sources of protein are incomplete, meaning that they don’t have all of the essential amino acids the body needs. Not so with hemp seeds. They contain all the amino acids needed to make a complete protein, making them highly nourishing for humans and pets alike.
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Unsaturated fats.
Not all fats are created equal. While often vilified, there are very important fats that the body needs to function healthfully. Hemp seeds contain high levels of polyunsaturated fats that are an important group of fats that many people don’t get enough of in their diet. These fats include essential fatty acids omega-3s and omega-6s. These fats nourish the nervous system, cardiovascular system, and skin, to name a few benefits.
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Fiber.
If you are buying hemp seeds with their hulls, or shell, you’re in for a good fiber boost. Even without the shells, hemp seeds are an impressive source of fiber. Fiber is a highly beneficial food and can have a very positive impact on your health. Fiber can reduce your appetite, help with weight management, stabilize blood sugar levels, and promote a healthy digestive tract.
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Minerals and vitamins.
The benefits just keep coming. Hemp seeds are an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals. Vitamins and minerals help all of the body’s systems, including the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system. With almost as many vitamins as a multivitamin, you are giving your body a healthy dose of essential nutrients when you eat hemp seeds. Hemp seeds are particularly high in vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, and the B vitamins niacin (B3), riboflavin (B2), thiamine (B1), vitamin B-6, and folate (B9).
Health Benefits of Hemp Seeds
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Protect your brain.
Support your brain health with hemp seeds. A recent study published in the journal of Food Chemistry found that hemp seeds have a powerful antioxidant effect related to the cannabinoids (CBD) found in hemp seeds. Another study suggests that CBD and other compounds in hemp seeds may have neuroprotective effects and may also help to regulate the immune system.
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Boost heart health.
Your doctor knows that omega-3’s are good for your heart and would approve of you eating omega-3 rich hemp seeds. Hemp seeds also have a healthy ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids. These compounds improve heart health and reduce the risks of health problems like arrhythmias and heart disease. Hemp seeds also have a lot of arginine, which is an amino acid that is made into nitric oxide. Nitric oxide acts on the blood vessels, keeping them smooth and healthy.
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Reduce inflammation.
There’s more good news about hemp seeds and their high content of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These essential fatty acids help the body fight inflammation. Part of this action comes from the healthful ratio of omega-3’s and omega-6’s that hemp seeds contain.
Hemp seeds also contain high amounts of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which is a polyunsaturated fatty acid. Studies on animals have shown that GLA has powerful anti-inflammatory actions, however, the same results were not found as consistently in studies on humans. -
Help keep skin healthy.
Healthy skin benefits from both essential fatty acids and fiber. It’s safe to say that your skin will benefit from the addition of hemp seeds to your diet. The essential fatty acids in hemp seed oil nourish the skin from the inside out. Omega-6’s help support the structure and integrity of skin, and both omega-3 and omega-6 help support healthy skin both inside and on the outside. The fiber found in eating whole hemp seeds is also good for skin health.
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Hemps seeds add fiber to the diet.
Fiber offers a host of health benefits, beyond just aiding in regular digestion. High fiber foods support the health of beneficial gut flora. Having plenty of healthy gut flora has been linked to healthier immune systems and less inflammation. Intake of dietary fiber also supports a healthy colon. Also, fiber can have a beneficial impact on weight loss by helping people feel more full after eating less food. Eating high fiber foods slows the absorption rate of carbohydrates into the bloodstream, which supports healthy blood sugar levels. Hemp seeds are a good source of soluble fiber, which is fiber that softens and dissolves in water. They also contain bulky, non dissolving but equally healthful insoluble fiber.
CBD and Pet Health
CBD acts on your pet’s body very similarly to how it acts on yours. Humans, cats, and dogs all have cannabinoid (CBD) receptors in their nervous systems. This part of the nervous system is called the endocannabinoid system, and it works to maintain homeostasis or balance in the body. Since CBD works with the central nervous system, they have a wide range of impact on the body. Your pet’s digestive, immune, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems can all be helped by CBD. CBD may also help support your pet’s skin as well!
CBD and the Nervous System
If your pet is dealing with stress because of changes in their environment like a new baby, a new pet, or a move, CBD can help them maintain their emotional balance by promoting relaxation. If your pet is showcasing destructive or aggressive behaviors, consider using CBD when training them. CBD may promote calmness in your pet. Whatever is going on in your life and your pet’s life, CBD can help them maintain calmness and contentment.
CBD and Digestion
Healthy digestion means a healthy pet. Support your pet’s digestion with CBD. Even if your pet is dealing with the occasional loose stool due to environmental stress or changes in their diet, CBD can help maintain a healthy digestive tract. CBD may work as a digestive aid and helps to maintain good gut flora and a proper gut pH.
CBD and the Immune System
Support your pet’s immune system with CBD! Your pet’s immune system helps them fight off harmful bacteria and pesky allergies. CBD assists the immune system, and helps it to function optimally with its immune-enhancing effects. CBD also promotes the body’s innate resistance to pathogens.
CBD and the Musculoskeletal System
Help keep your pet’s joints healthy or offer assistance to pets who are moving a little more slowly and stiffly these days. Not only does CBD offer connective tissue support, but it also enhances bone and joint health. Help maintain healthy bone and joint function with CBD. Also, if your pet ever has occasionally stiff joints, CBD offers support for healthy joint mobility.
CBD and Skin Health
Skin health is very important, especially when your pet has skin issues. CBD can help keep your pet’s skin healthy by helping it to maintain normal moisture content. CBD is also good for animals with sensitive skin because CBD supports overall skin health.
CBD and Allergies
Pets with allergies can be quite pitiful. Runny eyes and noses are common afflictions for pets who suffer from allergies, in addition to itchy, inflamed skin. Help your pet with their allergies with CBD. CBD helps maintain normal levels of histamines in the body. It’s an overabundance of histamines that cause allergy symptoms. CBD is especially helpful for seasonal allergies and can help soothe associated skin-related issues.
CBD and Occasional Discomfort
CBD helps relieve any inflammation your pet may have after their normal daily exercise and activities. Zooming around can take a toll on the joints. CBD can help with any occasional discomfort your pet might be experiencing. CBD is an optimum blend that enhances the body’s normal repair of connective tissue and joints. CBD can support animals with joint tenderness due to everyday activity.
Pet Releaf and CBD
Pet Releaf grows its hemp in the U.S. using regenerative, sustainable farming practices. Most of Pet Releaf’s products are certified by the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC), which is dedicated to safety and transparency in the pet supplement industry. This certification means that Pet Releaf’s products are submitted randomly for testing by a third-party laboratory to ensure quality and potency. Feel safe giving your precious pet CBD from Pet Releaf! Try their USDA certified organic hemp oil. Or, if you want help deciding which of their products is best for your pet, check out their helpful product finder today.