15.4.1 In Reducing the Risk of Heart Disease
Hemp constitutes almost all of the essential amino acids and amazingly high levels
of the amino acid arginine, which is a metabolic precursor for the production of nitric
oxide. Nitric oxide is known to act as a pivotal signalling messenger in the cardiovascular system that engages in the control of homeostasis, fibrinolysis, platelet and
leukocyte interactions with the arterial wall, regulation of vascular tone, proliferation
of vascular smooth muscle cells and homeostasis of blood pressure. Dietary
hempseed is rich in omega-6 fatty acid linolenic acid and omega-3 fatty acid
α-linolenic acid with ideal proportion (between 2:1 and 3:1 ratio) for a healthy diet
and improving cardiovascular health (Rodriguez-Leyva and Pierce 2010).
15.4.2 In Skin-Related Disorders
A comparative study of dietary hempseed oil and olive oil in a 20-week randomised,
single-blind crossover study was performed with the atopic patients in which fatty
acid profiles were measured in plasma triglyceride, cholesterol and phospholipid
fractions. Statistical information regarding the effects of hempseed oil based on skin
dryness, itchiness, and usage of dermal medications was collected using a patient
questionnaire. Skin transepidermal water loss was also calculated for every patient.
The results depicted improvement in clinical symptoms of atopic dermatitis by the
consumption of dietary hempseed oil because of a balanced supply of polyunsaturated fatty acids through hempseed oil. Hempseed oil also helped in relieving dry
skin, improved itchiness and reduced the need for skin medication (Callaway et al.
2005).
15.4.3 In Reducing the Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome
(PMS) and Menopause
Premenstrual emotional and physical changes affect up to 80% of women of
reproductive age, and 20–40% of them suffer significant changes in the work,
lifestyle and their relationships (Morino et al. 2016). These symptoms have been
likely to be caused due to the increased production of the hormone prolactin. The
production of prostaglandin E1 from γ-linolenic acid can reduce the effects of
prolactin. In a study, it was found that consumption of 1 gram of essential fatty
acids (γ-linolenic acid, 210 mg; oleic acid, 175 mg; linoleic acid, 345 mg; other
polyunsaturated acids, 250 mg; and vitamin E, 20 mg) per day can result in a
noticeable reduction in such symptoms (Rocha Filho et al. 2011). Oils which are
rich in γ-linolenic acid can also be highly efficient for women who did not get any
significant benefit from other therapies. Hempseed being rich in γ-linolenic acid is
384
I. Syed et al.
Hemp constitutes almost all of the essential amino acids and amazingly high levels
of the amino acid arginine, which is a metabolic precursor for the production of nitric
oxide. Nitric oxide is known to act as a pivotal signalling messenger in the cardiovascular system that engages in the control of homeostasis, fibrinolysis, platelet and
leukocyte interactions with the arterial wall, regulation of vascular tone, proliferation
of vascular smooth muscle cells and homeostasis of blood pressure. Dietary
hempseed is rich in omega-6 fatty acid linolenic acid and omega-3 fatty acid
α-linolenic acid with ideal proportion (between 2:1 and 3:1 ratio) for a healthy diet
and improving cardiovascular health (Rodriguez-Leyva and Pierce 2010).
15.4.2 In Skin-Related Disorders
A comparative study of dietary hempseed oil and olive oil in a 20-week randomised,
single-blind crossover study was performed with the atopic patients in which fatty
acid profiles were measured in plasma triglyceride, cholesterol and phospholipid
fractions. Statistical information regarding the effects of hempseed oil based on skin
dryness, itchiness, and usage of dermal medications was collected using a patient
questionnaire. Skin transepidermal water loss was also calculated for every patient.
The results depicted improvement in clinical symptoms of atopic dermatitis by the
consumption of dietary hempseed oil because of a balanced supply of polyunsaturated fatty acids through hempseed oil. Hempseed oil also helped in relieving dry
skin, improved itchiness and reduced the need for skin medication (Callaway et al.
2005).
15.4.3 In Reducing the Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome
(PMS) and Menopause
Premenstrual emotional and physical changes affect up to 80% of women of
reproductive age, and 20–40% of them suffer significant changes in the work,
lifestyle and their relationships (Morino et al. 2016). These symptoms have been
likely to be caused due to the increased production of the hormone prolactin. The
production of prostaglandin E1 from γ-linolenic acid can reduce the effects of
prolactin. In a study, it was found that consumption of 1 gram of essential fatty
acids (γ-linolenic acid, 210 mg; oleic acid, 175 mg; linoleic acid, 345 mg; other
polyunsaturated acids, 250 mg; and vitamin E, 20 mg) per day can result in a
noticeable reduction in such symptoms (Rocha Filho et al. 2011). Oils which are
rich in γ-linolenic acid can also be highly efficient for women who did not get any
significant benefit from other therapies. Hempseed being rich in γ-linolenic acid is
384
I. Syed et al.