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Construct & Maintain Cellular & Sub-cellular Membranes
Essential fatty acids (EFA) are part of all cell membranes. They are
responsible for membrane fluidity and hold proteins in cell membranes
through the static electricity-like forces of their double bonds. These
currents control the movement of all substances in and out of the cell. They
also control the transmission of chemical messages throughout the body. EFAs
are essential to this energy exchange because they fit perfectly into the
extremely precise structural and spatial arrangements of atoms and their
electrons, which exist specifically for these purposes. Other non-essential
fatty acids can not take part in this exchange. In fact, they physically
interfere with these highly specialized activities because they almost fit,
but not quite.
Cell
membranes are evidence that we really are what we eat. If you were to take a
chunk of fatty material from your body and analyze the fatty acids in the
cell membranes, you would see that the type of fatty acids stored in the
membranes directly reflect your diet. For example, adipose cells, the body's
fat cells, store dietary fat for up to three years.
Produce, Transport & Store Energy
Life
energy is produced by the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates.
Fats are either stored or transformed into water and carbon dioxide,
releasing energy from the bonds of their molecules.
Like
EFAs (essential fatty acids), there are also indispensable amino acids (IAA) (proteins). The
hemp oil seed and other edible derivatives of the oilseed, such as Hemp Seed,
not only contain both EFAs, but also indispensable amino acids. Hemp Seed
protein contains all indispensible amino acids, including high levels of
cysteine and methionine.
Like a
battery, life energy exists between two poles; positive and negative.
Biochemically, foods rich in protein with many slightly positive charged
sulphur groups* of indispensable amino acids (IAA) are the positive poles and
foods rich with many slightly negative charged cis-double hydrogen bonds (EFAs)
are the negative poles. The chemical interactions between the two allow the
one-way movement of electrons in molecules to take place as well as the
transmission of energy throughout the body. These bioelectric currents are
also important in nerve, muscle, heart and membrane functions.
Fat
stores twice as much energy as carbohydrates or proteins. It is our body's
most efficient way to store energy, however it prefers only to use this
energy during degenerative conditions, physical activity, pregnancy, while
asleep or during emergencies. It uses EFAs and their highly unsaturated
derivatives to construct and conduct energy throughout the body's most
biochemically active tissues including the brain, retina and testes.
Although most cells contain about 70% water, adipose cells - or our fat
storage cells, contain 70% fat and very little water. This fat provides the
insulation material under the skin, conserving energy by conserving heat.
Control Oxidation
Essential fatty acids (EFA) attract oxygen to our tissues and organs
enabling them to be active and produce and transport energy. They are
chemically reactive to oxygen because they contain more double bonds in an
equal number of fat molecules than do other fatty acids. More EFAs result in
more oxidation, which result in more energy production. Research shows that
lack of oxygen (due to a lack of EFAs) can cause a reduction in the number
and size of brain cells as well as lack of communication between brain
cells.
EFAs
attract oxygen in plants, food and in our body. Oxygen is eight times more
soluble in fats than in water and acts as a barrier to viruses, fungi,
bacteria and other foreign organisms that can't thrive in oxygen.
Oxidation
is the central and most important moment-to-moment living process in our
body. Life is a result of the burning (oxidizing) of fuel (food) to produce
the energy required for life processes. The food and oxygen react together
to make water and energy which we use and carbon dioxide which we breath
out. A proper and balanced intake of EFAs, as provided by many hemp seed
products, guarantees both the fuel and the catalyst for oxidation.
Disperse more saturated fats and lower "bad" cholesterol levels
Essential fatty acids (EFA) keep "bad fats" like SAFAs, trans-fatty acids
and excess cholesterol from sticking together. This is because EFAs have a
bent shape. SAFAs and trans-fatty acids are straight and stiff, whereas EFAs
have multiple kinks. The number of kinks is directly related to the number
of cis- double bonds in the fatty acid. Fluid, kinked fatty acids (EFA and
PUFA) disable the straight, stiff fatty acids from clumping together.
When
cholesterol is removed from cell membranes (to maintain membrane fluidity)
it enters the bloodstream to be transported to the liver. For transport in
the bloodstream cholesterol must be linked, or esterified to an EFA. Without
a balanced supply of EFAs, excess cholesterol may not be removed or may be
esterified up to a less unsaturated fatty acid, which is more likely to
solidify and form deposits.
Govern Growth & Foetal Development
Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) are critical for the growth or division of all
cells. During cell division, the surface area of the cell becomes larger and
the cell membrane must contain enough material be able to divide the new
cell completely from the original. The original cell and the daughter cell
are separated and sealed by the fluid membrane. EFAs are part of all cell
membranes and responsible for this fluidity. This process continues
throughout life, slows down with age or disease and stops as we die.
It is
critical for couples preparing for pregnancy and pregnant women to maintain
an adequate dietary intake of EFAs and PUFAs, especially during
breast-feeding. Seventy percent of brain cells built to last a lifetime are
developed before a child is even born. During this period of rapid growth,
the fetus is nourished by the mother's stored and continued intake of EFAs.
Furthermore, the highly unsaturated derivatives of EFAs, specifically DHA
and EPA, are important structural components of and found in high
concentrations in the cell membranes of the retina, brain and testes both
pre and post natally.
In
1998, after three years of research, The Life Sciences Research Office of
the American Society for Nutritional Sciences released their official report
entitled, "Assessment of Nutrient Requirements for Infant Formulas." In the
document they recommend that infant formulas contain both linoleic acid (LA)
and alpha-linolenic acid (LNA) in a maximum ratio of 5:1. Hemp seed oil and
hemp nut contain an ideal ratio of 4:1, coming closer to matching this
recommended balance than any other single natural food ingredient. Studies
have also shown that infants with higher concentrations of EFAs perform
better on problem-solving tests and have been related to higher IQ's later
in life.
Support Natural Oil Balance of Skin & Hair
The
Hemp Oil Seed comes closest to matching the exact EFA profile of skin sebum
than any other botanical in the plant kingdom. In fact, hemp seed oil
contains the highest concentration of PUFAs among all natural and vegetable
oils. It also contains oleic acid (OA) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), both
critical to healthy skin. Hemp seed oil can be used to nourish the skin and
hair with both internal and external applications.
Clinical studies have shown that PUFAs, specifically the EFAs Linoleic acid
(LA) and Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA), when topically applied, can alleviate
or even remedy skin problems such as neurodermatitis, dry skin, atopic
eczema and psoriasis. These studies have specifically shown that the
cracking or scaling associated with these conditions can be reversed by skin
care products containing these w6 fatty acids. Additionally, the proven
anti-inflammatory properties of LA and GLA can aid in wound healing and
improving the appearance of sun-damaged, aged and chemically and laser
treated skin.
Linoleic Acid (LA) is particularly crucial for the formation and maintenance
of skin and hair barrier lipids. LA contains certain Ceramides, specifically
Ceramide 1, which strengthen the links between skin lipids and corneocytes,
the outermost skin cells of the skin. In addition, LA is the starting
material for the biosynthesis of certain prostaglandins (PG), which have
important immunoregulatory functions and influence epidermal keratinization.
An
important factor in healthy skin is proper metabolism of keratinocytes to
generate a healthy corneum layer. Keratinization and protein synthesis are
also vital for proper hair growth.
Topically, hemp seed oil:
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Helps improve the condition of damaged and
aging skin by boosting the cell's nourishing environment, thus increasing
the rate of cellular reproductive activity
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Acts as a natural barrier against moisture
loss, reducing TEWL (trans-epidermal water loss) and promoting skin
smoothness and elasticity
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Works in conjunction with skin sebum,
acting as 'cement' to retain cells in the corneum layer
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Repairs and revives skin barrier function
either by replacing epidermal lipids that have been removed, allowing
lipids to remain despite adverse environments, or renewing the skin's
ability to retain moisture
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Is an excellent carrier oil for
transporting actives or other valuable substances to the skin
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Contains excellent lubricating and
moisturizing properties
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Functions as an excellent super fatting
agent for hair care systems, replacing important barrier lipids removed by
traditional surfactants
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Supports immune function of the skin by
attracting oxygen, which acts as a barrier to viruses, bacteria, fungi and
other foreign organisms that can't thrive in oxygen
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Forms protein associations easily and is
irreplaceable for the regeneration of skin cells
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Protects skin from dehydration, cracking
and environmental factors
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Offers superior emolliency with a minimum
of greasiness
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Partially supplements skin-related
symptoms of dietary essential fatty acid deficiency
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Has clinically proven anti-inflammatory
properties, beneficial for sensitive, irritated and damaged skin
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