- “None of the centenarians take medication, none have had to undergo surgery, and in this town there are no cases of heart disease, obesity or diabetes. They live extraordinarily long, healthy and happy lives.”
- Live More in the Blue Zones
- Optimum State of Health and Longer Life in Bama
- Ideal Nutrition And More
- Omega Fatty Acids, Healthy for Everything
As modern science and medicine catch up, there is plenty of empirical evidence supporting the health benefits of the cannabis plant. Not only for its psychoactive and non-psychoactive resins as an alternative to pharmaceuticals, but as a food that promotes health and longevity. Specifically, from hemp seeds and hemp seed oil.
In Bama County, high in the remote mountains of southern China, where they don’t use cars and where the local population numbers just 300,000, there is a curious statistical fact. There are 73 people who have exceeded 100 years, one of the highest rates in the world. These centenarians lead a perfectly normal life: they hunt, weave, and do their housework. Some even work the fields.
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Live More in the Blue Zones
The fact that so many people live to be over 100 years old in Bama makes it one of the rare “blue zones” in the world. Particular areas where there are more centenarians compared to the general population. Other “blue zones” exist in Sardinia (Italy), Okinawa (on the coast of Japan) and on the Nicoya Peninsula (Costa Rica).
In these long-lived communities, a lifestyle with common characteristics is practiced. They all consume a predominantly vegetarian diet, which also contains various superfoods such as hemp, quinoa or chia seeds. They all allow themselves to consume a little local alcohol on a daily basis, such as rice wine or red wine, and get regular moderate exercise. Each of these cultures invests much of their time in family and community life, as well as having a sense of faith and purpose in their lives.
A vegetarian diet combined with a superfood like hemp seed oil has a number of important health benefits. Plant sterols and antioxidants may reduce the risk of several types of cancer. The essential fatty acids contained in hemp seeds are important antioxidants that remove free radicals from the body. In addition, a high fiber content supports digestive health, as well as fresh local water and clean air unpolluted by industrial development add to the list of factors that contribute to a long life in these regions.
Optimum State of Health and Longer Life in Bama
The use of hemp as a food, industrial resource and medicine has a very long tradition in China. The people of Bama County attribute their longevity in part to the consumption of copious amounts of hemp seed oil. They often use the hemp seeds to cook Houmayou, a soup that is a staple in the region and is eaten twice a day. To help us understand why they are so healthy, let’s take a quick look at what these seeds contain.
Hemp seeds and hemp seed oil do not contain any of the psychoactive compounds found in cannabis flowers. What they do contain is something much more exciting, especially for those who want to maintain personal health and compete in longevity with the inhabitants of Bama. Hemp seeds and hemp seed oil are very good for you. In fact, they are very, very, very good for you. This is what they contain:
• Saturated fats
• Polyunsaturated fat
• Monounsaturated fat
• Potassium
• Calcium
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Thiamine
• Match
• Zinc
• Copper
• Manganese
• Sodium
• Sulfur
• Carbohydrates
• Protein
• Folic acid
• Soluble and insoluble fiber
• Vitamins E, A, B12, D
• The 20 amino acids, including the 9 essential amino acids that our body cannot produce
Ideal Nutrition And More
Hemp seeds and hemp seed oil are almost complete foods in themselves. They have many of the important elements that make our bodies work well. Vitamins and minerals are essential for healthy hair, nails, bones, and skin, proper organ function, brain activity, eye health, and resistance to disease.
The protein ensures the health of the muscles and the natural carbohydrates contribute to burning energy in a sustained manner. Insoluble fiber aids digestion, and soluble fiber can lower blood pressure, as well as balance glucose levels. Folic acid is essential for the development of new cells and prevents changes in DNA.
Importantly, hemp seeds have an omega-6 to omega-3 ratio of 3:1, which is ideal for absorption by the body. When these ratios are not in balance, none of these essential fatty acids can be efficiently absorbed. “Essential” means that they are not produced by the body and need to be consumed. Hemp seeds also contain gamma linolenic acid (GLA), an essential omega-6 fatty acid. Fish oil, which also contains high levels of essential fatty acids, is objectively less beneficial than hemp seed oil. This comes down to several factors. Firstly, fish oil shows an omega-3 to omega-6 ratio of around 7:1, which is far from ideal. Additionally, fish oil produced from larger species is known to contain large amounts of contaminants and toxic chemicals.
Omega Fatty Acids, Healthy for Everything
Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats that are a crucial part of human health. There are a number of omega-3 fatty acids that perform very different functions, and all of them are present in hemp seed oil. They are a vital part of cell membranes and can improve heart health by increasing HDL **, the “good” cholesterol. They can lower blood pressure, control triglycerides, and prevent fatty plaque buildup on artery walls.
Omega-3s can help stabilize mental health by reducing symptoms of dementia, schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. They also fight inflammation and promote bone health. As **DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), they make up 8% of total brain volume and are essential for fetal brain development.
Gamma linolenic acid, a type of omega-6, is a building block of prostaglandins. These hormone-like chemicals help smooth muscle contraction and control inflammation and body temperature. They are also vital for a number of important bodily functions. Researchers believe that **GLA supplementation is responsible for proper hormonal health. It has also been observed to reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, and is an important source of energy.
