Hemp Seed Oil
Name : Hemp Seed Oil
Other Names : Hemp Oil, Hempseed Oil, Seed Oil of Industrial Hemp or Cannabis sativa
Hemp seed oil is a plant oil extracted from the seeds of industrial hemp, Cannabis sativa.
You should not be confused between the terms of Hemp and Marijuana although both of them belong to the same genus and species, Cannabis sativa. Cannabis plant has been selectively bred for different purposes: the one bred for medicinal and psychoactive purposes is known as marijuana which contains high level of cannabinoid THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), a chemical that can make you feel ‘high’, THC is a prohibited substance in Australia; others are bred as industrial hemp for their use in fabric and textiles, foods, supplements, etc., the hemp variety of the Cannabis plant contains a different type of cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) but not THC therefore it does not make you feel ‘high’. Although CBD is not addictive, it’s classified as a prescription medicine in Australia.
There are 2 types of oils can be extracted from different parts of the industry hemp plant - CBD oil and Hemp seed oil. CBD oil is extracted from the stalks, leaves and flowers of the plant, it is used for medicinal purposes. Hemp seed oil (also called as Hemp oil) is normally referred to the pressed oil from the seeds of the industry hemp plant, it contains little or no CBD or any other cannabinoids. Hemp oil is widely used in foods, cosmetics, and industrial applications such as fuel, ink, paint, etc.
Hemp oil is highly nutritious, it contains high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega-3, 6 fatty acids) including alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, Omega-3), linoleic acid (LA, Omega-6) and gamma linolenic acid (GLA, Omega-6). It also contains Omega-9 fatty acid such as oleic acid (OA).
Hemp oil has numerous health benefits due to its nutritional values. One of the most well-studied benefits is its effects on the skin. When ingested orally, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids within hemp oil can help hydrate and moisturise the skin from inside out. Human study demonstrated that patients who took hemp oil from 20 weeks had significant reductions in skin dryness and itchiness (Callaway 2005), hemp oil is also used for brain and heart health in human (Rodriguez-Leyva 2010).
Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are also essential for dogs and cats because they can not be produced in sufficient quantities in their own body. Hemp seed oil can be a good source essential fatty acid for pets, particularly the Omega-3 and Omega-6 components.
Omega fatty acids have a range of benefits for pets including supporting skin and coat condition, joint function, cardiovascular, brain, eye, and kidney health (Bauer 1994).
Omega-6 fatty acids are essential for the normal health of skin and coat as they play important roles in cutaneous function as an important structural component of cell membrane phospholipids and the stratum corneum intercellular lipid barriers (Popa 2011), which supports normal skin structure, prevent moisture (water loss) and protect damages from environment.
Omega-3 fatty acids especially EPA have a role in supporting normal inflammatory and immune responses (Bauer 2007). It has been suggested to combine Omega-3 with Omega-6 for use in pets for skin health especially for inflamed skin conditions since ALA from vegetable sources can not be sufficiently converted to EPA (Bauer 2007). Marine source of Omega fatty acids (i.e. EPA or DHA from fish oil) are a preferred source to be combined with Omega-6.
Omega fatty acids’ effects on the improvement of skin and coat condition have been demonstrated in clinical studies (Bauer 2007).
Hemp seed oil does not contain enough THC or CBD to cause adverse reactions and is therefore considered relatively safe.
Vetnex uses premium quality hemp seed oil extracted from 100% edible seeds of the industrial hemp by using cold pressed technology which maintained the full spectrum of its nutritional values and also its natural flavour.
References:
1. Callaway J, Schwab U, Harvima I, Halonen P, Mykkänen O, Hyvönen P & Järvinen T (2005): Efficacy of dietary hempseed oil in patients with atopic dermatitis. J Dermatolog Treat. 16(2):87-94. doi: 10.1080/09546630510035832.2. Rodriguez-Leyva D & Pierce GN (2010). Review The cardiac and haemostatic effects of dietary hempseed. Nutrition & Metabolism 7:32. doi: 10.1186/1743-7075-7-32.
3. Bauer J (1994). The potential for dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids in domestic animals. Australian Veterinary Journal. 71(10): 342-345.
4. Bauer J (2007). Timely topics in nutrition, Responses of dogs to dietary omega-3 fatty acids. JAVMA. 231(11): 1657-1661.
5. Popa I, Pin D, Remoue N, Osta B, Callejon S, Videmont E, Gatto H, Portoukalian J & Haftek M (2011). Analysis of epidermal lipids in normal and atopic dogs before and after administration of an oral omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid feed supplement. A pilot study. Vet. Res. Commun. 35: 501-509.