TOP UP YOUR OMEGA 3 OIL LEVEL

"What are the pros and cons of hemp oil and will I get a buzz from using
it?"

That was a question an inquisitive patient asked me last week.

Hemp oil is extracted from hemp seeds. These seeds are a veritable
storehouse of nutrition. They are packed with an array of vitamins,
minerals, protein, and most importantly, oil.

The oil found in hemp seeds is primarily made up of two essential fatty
acids (building blocks of fats or oils) that are absolutely vital to human
survival. They are known as omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids and are found in
the membranes of every cell in our bodies. Essential fatty acids cannot be
manufactured by humans and must be obtained from foods.

Besides contributing to healthier cell membranes, essential fatty acids are
beneficial for strengthening immune function, decreasing blood pressure and
blood cholesterol, decreasing cardiovascular disease, improving energy and
moods, controlling inflammation and a host of other things.

The two essential fatty acids work best when they are in a ratio of three
parts omega 6 to one part omega 3. Unfortunately, the North American diet is
about 20 to one in favour of omega 6. This is because of the wide use of
oils from soy, corn, sunflower and safflower.

Oils that are often used therapeutically such as evening primrose, black
currant and borage are also high in omega 6 fatty acids.

The higher the omega 6 in the diet, the greater the risk for increased
inflammation in the body. Inflammation has been implicated in diseases such
as arthritis, cardiovascular disease and even Alzheimer's.

The beauty of hemp oil is it has the perfect ratio of three parts omega 6 to
one part omega 3. This makes it a wonderful oil to use for maintenance of
health.

So, what is the down side of hemp oil? Well, if one's diet is already high
in omega 6 fatty acids, adding hemp will only aggravate that imbalance. A
simple solution is to cut way back on sources of omega 6.

If one is treating health conditions such arthritis, dry skin, allergies,
high blood pressure, depression, memory loss and so on, other oils from fish
are much stronger in their therapeutic action.

Women, people with allergies or who are quite ill, or people whose diets are
low in key nutrients may have a difficult time converting hemp oil into the
specific fatty acids with therapeutic properties.

Now how about getting a buzz from hemp oil? It is impossible, since hemp oil
doesn't contain THC, the active ingredient in marijuana that is responsible
for creating the buzz.

All in all, hemp oil makes a great addition to a nutritious diet. Using it
in shakes and dressings is an easy way to keep your oil topped up.

* John Yim is a Nanaimo naturopathic physician.