Hemp: Full of Vitamins and Minerals!

Our bodies need various vitamins and minerals to stay healthy.  Each vitamin or mineral does a specific job in the body.  Some do better working in teams to keep body cells healthy.   Here are some of the vitamins and minerals present in hemp foods and a brief descriptions of their health benefits and function.   

 •  Good source of folate (Vitamin B9) Folate is essential to numerous bodily functions including the production of healthy red blood cells and cells that line the digestive tract.  It is especially important during periods of rapid cell division and growth since Folate is necessary for the creation and maintenance of new cells, and for DNA and RNA synthesis.  Folate is also essential for the prevention of neural tube defects of a fetus during the first few weeks of pregnancy.

 •  Good source of thiamine (Vitamin B1) Thiamine plays a critical role in the energy metabolism of all cells.  Thiamine helps to converts carbohydrates and amino acids into energy and is essential for proper functioning of the heart, muscles and nervous system.

 •   Contains riboflavin (Vitamin B2) Riboflavin is necessary for energy metabolism in our bodies.  It is also essential for body growth, reproduction, red cell production and supports normal vision and skin health.

 •  Contains niacin (Vitamin B3) Niacin participates in the energy metabolism of all cells in the body.  Aids in the functioning of the digestive system, skin, and nerves; conversion of food to energy.

•  which aids in the production of antibodies in the immune system, helps maintain normal nerve function and is required for the metabolism of amino acids and fatty acids.  Vitamin B6 helps synthesize hemoglobin (for red blood cells) and neurotransmitters (the communication molecules of the brain).  Vitamin B6 helps regulate blood glucose and is critical to the development of the brain and nervous system of a fetus.

 •  Source of Potassium that aids the body’s growth and maintenance. Potassium helps maintain normal water balance between the cells and body fluids, electrolyte balance, cell integrity and is critical to maintaining a heartbeat, proper heart function, the transmission of nerve impulses and contraction of muscles.

•  Very high in Phosphorus that together with calcium is vital for formation of bone, teeth and nerve cells. Phosphorus helps to maintain the acid-base balance of cellular fluids and is part of DNA and RNA of every cell - and thus essential for growth and renewal of tissues.  Phosphorus assists in energy metabolism and forms phospholipids within the cell membrane.

•  Rich in Magnesium that assists absorption of calcium and potassium in our bodies.  Magnesium is also involved in bone mineralization, activating B vitamins, acting as a nerve & muscle relaxant and providing blood clotting. Magnesium is also responsible for the release and use of energy from nutrients.

•  Excellent source of Copper, which is required by our bodies for absorption, storage and metabolism of iron, the formation of hemoglobin (in red blood cells) and collagen (connective tissue).  Copper helps supply oxygen to the body and is required for brain development and nerve cell communication.

•  Excellent source of Iron that is a major component of our hemoglobin and myoglobin, both of which are responsible for carrying oxygen in the blood and to our muscles.  Iron is required in our bodies to make new cells, amino acids, hormones and neurotransmitters.  Iron is also important for enzymatic activity in energy-yielding pathways and is involved in producing ATP (adenosine triphosphate) the body's energy source.

•  Excellent source of Zinc that assists enzyme activity in all our cells.  Zinc also aids protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism, supports the immune system, growth and fertility, wound healing, healthy skin, nails and eyes. 

Eat Hemp and You Eat healthy!

To Your Good Health,

Cousin Mary Jane