Nutrition, Skin, and Hair: Hemp Seed Oil’s Triple Threat Potential

Hemp seed oil, previously used in the Far East for many years, has become the holy grail of plant-based holistic health in the pursuit of improving our well-being from the inside out. In this article, we will explore the unique content of hemp seed oil, and uncover ways in which it could be the secret to improved nutrition, skin, and hair. 

Hemp seed oil derives from the hemp plant, a strain of cannabis Sativa that naturally contains less than 0.3% THC, and is produced purely from its small brown seeds. These seeds are cold-pressed to form a high-concentrated, nourishing oil containing many vitamins, minerals, essential amino and fatty acids, as well as antioxidants. 

As hemp seed oil is produced purely from the plant’s small seeds, no cannabinoids are present. This is the crucial differentiating factor between hemp seed oil and cannabidiol (CBD) oil, which causes them to have very different uses and potential benefits. Hemp seed oil’s absence of cannabinoids means the oil is not believed to contain therapeutic benefits (as is purported to be the case with CBD oil).

Instead, its content is highly regarded for its widespread nutritional profile and purported benefits, including for our hair and skin. The widespread legalisation of safe and non-intoxicating hemp derived-products, such as hemp seed oil, has allowed people in many areas of the world to experience the potential botanical benefits for themselves. So, let’s dive into these areas to discuss what value they could hold for you!  

One of the most unique selling points of hemp seed oil is its widely-reported highly-concentrated nutritional content. Containing vitamins and minerals, essential fatty acids and amino acids, and antioxidants, hemp seed oil is purported to possess many potential benefits to our health and well-being.   

By cold-pressing the seeds of the hemp plant, we have found we are able to bottle this highly-concentrated nutritional content. But what are the true possible benefits of hemp seed consumption? In this article, we will dissect the various dietary elements of hemp seed oil, and apply these to the possible ways in which they may promote a potentially healthier lifestyle and diet.

An Introduction to Hemp Seed Oil’s Vitamin Content

Vitamins are an essential part of our health, playing an indispensable role within our cells and organs. However, it can often be a challenge to source our daily requirements of vitamins, so highly-concentrated supplements, such as hemp seed oil, may provide a perfect source to help us to increase our intake. Vitamins found in hemp seed oil include B vitamins, vitamin C, and vitamin E.  

Vitamin C plays various roles in our bodily functions, including strengthening the immune system, iron absorption, the maintenance of bones, cartilage, and teeth, as well as promoting the growth, development, and repair of body tissues. Complementing this, hemp seed oil’s vitamin E content also helps to shield the body from infection, as well as promoting healthy, glowing skin. 

Hemp seed oil is also believed to contain Vitamin B6. When Vitamin B6 is combined with magnesium, these two nutrients are purported to potentially have increased efficacy in alleviating common symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), including breast tenderness, bloating, insomnia, leg swelling, and weight gain. We’ll discuss magnesium in more detail in the next section, as another core nutrient found in hemp seed oil. 

By consuming hemp seed oil, we are able to absorb all these vitamins and more, to possibly benefit our own health and well-being, making it an extremely desirable daily supplement for many, particularly those with vegetarian or vegan dietary restrictions.

An Introduction to Hemp Seed Oil’s Mineral Content

Minerals are another form of micronutrients that are essential to perform bodily functions for human health. Hemp seed oil contains a healthy mineral content, inclusive of magnesium, iron, calcium, and fibre. So, stick with us as we explore these more closely to discover their true potential! 

The Reactive Role of Magnesium

Magnesium is a chemical element contained in hemp seed oil that activates, regulates and stabilises enzymes. One such enzymatic reaction is metabolism, helping the body break down and synthesise fatty acids and proteins. Magnesium is also purported to reduce symptoms of inflammation, support muscle and nerve function to aid muscle relaxation, and is involved in energy production. As well as being another element of hemp seed oil that may have the potential to support heart health, as it is linked with helping to potentially regulate the heartbeat, and possibly impact coronary heart disease. 

It is clear to see magnesium has an extensive list of essential roles and purported benefits to our health and well-being. Therefore, when the body is deficient, it reportedly can also lead to various health concerns.  

Impacting Our Iron Intake

Consuming enough iron is vital to maintain human health, growth, and development, as it supports the production of a protein in red blood cells called haemoglobin. Haemoglobin carries oxygen around our bodies, and is linked to brain function and supporting the immune system. Therefore, it is reported that the consumption of hemp seed oil may help us to increase our iron levels to impact our energy and focus.

The Structural Role of Calcium

Calcium is another core element of our nutritional needs, famous for its structural influence in promoting healthy teeth and bones. However, calcium is also needed for many other essential bodily functions, including muscle movement and nerve impulses between the brain and the rest of the body. Therefore, the purported benefits of consuming calcium also include being an essential mineral to support our heart, muscles, and nervous system. 

A Rich Source of Dietary Fibre

Hemp seed oil is also known to be a rich source of dietary fibre, containing approximately 1.2 g in three tablespoons of hemp seeds. Fibre serves many purposes, including promoting gut and digestive health, weight management, reducing appetite, and stabilising blood sugar levels. 

Fibre is also another nutrient within hemp seed oil known for its potential anti-inflammatory properties. For example, studies have provided evidence to support the possible role of fibre in reducing the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, as well as being purported to impact various conditions that may affect gut health.  

Sourcing Essential Fatty Acids

There are some fats out there that our body needs in order to source essential fatty acids; these are called healthy fats. As our bodies cannot produce essential fatty acids naturally, we rely on sourcing them through the foods we eat. Fortunately, hemp seed oil is an excellent source of essential fatty acids - keep reading to find out why! 

The Optimal Ratio For Human Health

Hemp seed oil is known to provide us with the optimal consumption of fatty acids for human health, at the ‘perfect’ omega-6 to omega-3 ratio of 3:1. This makes hemp seed oil an excellent substitute for those who do not consume fish or eggs, as it provides a concentrated source of healthy fats, including Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids. Therefore, it is particularly desirable for health-conscious individuals, and those looking to nutritionally supplement their diets, such as vegans and vegetarians. 

Hemp seed oil’s inclusion of omega fatty acids is also known to potentially promote cardiovascular health, maintain healthy cholesterol levels, regulate metabolism, as well as support the immune system and cognitive health functions. The potential ability to strengthen cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol levels is thought to possibly help prevent serious health concerns, including heart disease. Whilst the efficacy of these claims requires further research, the inclusion of essential fatty acids in hemp seed oil remains anecdotally proven to have the potential to benefit our overall health and well-being.     

The Potential Anti-Inflammatory Role of Fatty Acids

As mentioned, hemp seed oil contains essential fatty acids, including Omega-6. Whilst this is beneficial in itself, it has also been found to contain gamma-Linolenic acid (GLA), which is purported to have potential anti-inflammatory effects. A study on the impact of GLA on rheumatoid arthritis reported over 75% of participants reported a reduction in their pain after receiving 2.8 g of GLA daily for 12 months. GLA’s potential anti-inflammatory properties are also believed to potentially influence heart disease and possibly improve general cardiovascular health.

Hemp Seed Oil and The Building Blocks of Protein

Seeds of the hemp plant used to create hemp seed oil are protein-packed, containing approximately 9.46 g of protein in 3 tablespoons of hemp seeds. For protein lovers out there, it may interest you that hemp seed oil is highly regarded as a rare plant-based “complete protein”, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and cannot be naturally sourced by the body, making hemp seed oil highly desirable for those looking to increase their protein intake. In fact, it is extremely rare to find a complete source of protein that is plant-based, giving hemp seed oil an excellent unique selling point, especially for vegans and vegetarians who wish to supplement their diet. 

In particular, arginine is an amino acid found in significant quantities in hemp seed oil. Arginine produces nitric oxide, which is purported to reduce blood pressure and improve heart health. Therefore, amino acids such as arginine have been found to contribute to hemp seed oil’s possible effectiveness in lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease and adds to the reported benefits of potentially improving and maintaining heart health. The inclusion of arginine may also help maintain healthy blood vessels. This is why hemp seed oil reportedly may help to relax and dilate blood vessels, potentially reducing the risk of heart disease by lowering blood pressure.

Hemp Seed Oil and Antioxidants

Hemp seed oil is naturally full of antioxidants, including phenolic compounds, tocopherols, and phytosterols. Antioxidants play a vital role in maintaining our health by protecting the body from free radicals. This means antioxidants may help ward off certain diseases, from mild to potentially more severe. As well as this, they may also play a role in cardiovascular health, lipid metabolism, immunomodulatory effects, gastrointestinal disorders, and dermatological diseases. 

Consuming Hemp Seed Oil for Nutrition

To potentially benefit from hemp seed oil’s nutrients, many choose to consume it alongside (or incorporated within) a meal to digest as an oral food supplement. The raw use of the distinctive nutty oil includes as a replacement for olive oil, either to drizzle as a salad dressing, as a dip, or in beverages such as smoothies.  

However, if you wish to incorporate hemp seed oil into your meals, it is vital to tread carefully when cooking with the oil. This is because hemp seed oil is considered to have a low smoke point, at which its possible nutritional benefits are broken down and destroyed at high temperatures. For this reason, hemp seed oil is unsuitable for frying. 

Perhaps a more prevalent and efficient way of consuming hemp seed oil is through hemp seed oil capsules, which are to be consumed daily. At CBII, you will find a range of premium Hemp Seed Oil Capsules designed to suit a range of lifestyles and individual needs. These capsules allow you to consume hemp seed oil effortlessly in its raw form to receive all its natural nutrients that are essential for a healthy and balanced diet, just as nature intended.

Finding skincare products that actually work can be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. You only need to look at the back of the label to see how many chemicals they contain, many of which most of us would have a hard time even trying to pronounce. The concerns over the use of such chemicals on our skin have led to movements towards finding natural skincare solutions. Therefore, it is of little surprise that hemp seed oil, which is teeming with potential botanical benefits, is the new must-have product for organic skincare lovers. 

Let’s explore some of the reasons why hemp seed oil has been taking over the organic skincare aisles in recent years.

Is Hemp Seed Oil the Answer to Superior Hydration?

Bursting with essential fatty acids like Omega-3 and Omega-6, hemp seed oil is purported to deliver superior hydration to our skin. Acting as a humectant, hemp seed oil not only provides moisture but also helps to lock it in by forming a seal. This allows hemp seed oil to potentially provide the skin with long-lasting, superior moisturisation.

Hemp Seed Oil’s Possible Interaction With Acne

Alongside keeping skin moisturised, hemp seed oil has also been anecdotally found to help deal with acne. The reason for this is that hemp seed oil is able to modulate the skin’s production of sebum, its natural oil. When the skin produces too much sebum, this excess can combine with dead skin cells to block pores and follicles, and is one of the leading causes of acne. Hemp seed oil may work as an anti-acne compnoud to combat this by modulating the production of the skin’s natural oil, to keep pores unclogged whilst still providing superior moisturisation, making it suitable for all skin types.

A Possible Natural Anti-Inflammatory

Hemp seed oil is also reported to include potential anti-inflammatory properties. Its rich content of essential Omega fatty acids are believed to be behind this potential, which may possibly include the ability to lower skin inflammation and irritation whilst keeping skin nourished and moisturised. This makes hemp seed oil potentially beneficial for those who deal with skin conditions that cause red and inflamed skin.

Hemp Seed Oil and Essential Oils

When using hemp seed oil topically, there is also the open opportunity to use it in combination with essential oils. Using hemp seed oil as a carrier for essential oils dilutes the terpenes, making them suitable for direct skin use. This results in possible synergistic benefits, combining both the moisturising and nutritional elements of hemp seed oil with the calming nature of essential oils.

The vitamins and minerals found in hemp seed oil might also make it a superior option for hair care. Taking the beauty industry by storm, hemp seed oil’s unique benefits are reported to include everything from promoting a healthy scalp, to strengthen hair and growth. 

Ideal for use as both an oral supplement or to be applied topically to the hair and scalp. Anecdotal evidence and research into hemp seed oil and hair and scalp care show the potential benefits of the supplement may include: 

• Nourishing and moisturising the hair and scalp
• Strengthening and improving hair density  
• Adding shine and elasticity
• Stimulating growth
• Reviving damaged hair and protecting against further breakage
• Preventing against some causes of hair loss

To better understand the ways in which hemp seed oil delivers these purported benefits, let’s now look at some of these interactions in greater detail. 

Hemp Seed Oil’s Purported Role in Hair Growth and Hair Loss

Among many of hemp seed oil’s nutritional components, there lies a rich supply of essential fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6. When hemp seed oil is consumed orally, these essential omega fatty acids are anecdotally believed to be beneficial to the hair, purported to promote hair growth and potentially protect against hair loss.  

A study conducted in 2015 researched the impact of orally consuming omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids on hair, and found improvement in participants’ hair’s diameter and density. They also found that, when combined with antioxidants (just like in hemp seed oil!), these essential fatty acids may have helped to prevent hair loss. These findings demonstrate the potential value of consuming the nutrients found in hemp seed oil, possibly significantly impacting our hair growth and protecting against hair loss. 

The best way to benefit from the nutrients found in hemp seed oil is to run the oil directly through the strands of your hair, adding both moisture and shine to your locks.

The Power of Antioxidants

Hemp seed oil is also a plant-based source of antioxidants, which are believed to prevent hair loss by protecting the body’s cells from damage through oxidative stress and free radicals. It is also thought to potentially help improve the scalp’s circulation of blood, which is another way hemp seed oil may help stimulate hair growth.   

Your Hair Needs Nourishment! 

Vitamins and minerals play a huge role in hair health, and lucky for us hemp seed oil is bursting with them! To expand on this, nourishing our hair with the vitamins and minerals present in hemp seed oil potentially helps to support the growth of stronger, thicker, healthier hair, and the possibility of helping to prevent hair loss. Therefore, the vitamins and minerals found in hemp seed oil are believed to significantly contribute to the purported benefits of its consumption.  

Specifically, the inclusion of Vitamin E is believed to possibly help promote elasticity and shine by protecting the hair from damage from external elements. Simultaneously, its inclusion of essential omega fatty acids is also thought to make it ideal for curly, coarse hair. This is because these fatty acids have a hydrophilic end that promotes water retention, and a hydrophobic end to help add shine - a win-win for your hair!  

Therefore, when consumed orally, we have learned that hemp seed oil may not only play a significant role in our overall health by supplying our bodies with essential nutrients it needs, but it may also help us to achieve our dream hair!

Can Hemp Seed Oil Prevent Hair Damage? 

Another precious element of hemp seed oil is its protective qualities, which may possibly help prevent damage to dry and brittle hair.  

The main issue with our hair is that it is very porous, especially when it comes to hair that has been subject to over-styling and other forms of damage. When hair is wet, it is also at greater risk of breakage.

For this reason, hemp seed oil is an essential step to stop too much water from entering the hair shaft, as well as to lubricate the hair shaft to reduce friction and force when combing and brushing wet hair, minimising any damage that may occur. By applying hemp seed oil directly to your hair and scalp, you may also benefit from its purported protective qualities, by preventing such substances from entering the hair shaft. 

In contrast, significant breakage can also happen when our hair loses its moisture. By delivering moisture to our hair strands and scalp, hemp seed oil may potentially help to reduce water loss. This is particularly beneficial for those who live in drier climates, as the hair is subject to losing its moisture at a faster rate. Whatever your hair type, hemp seed oil can potentially help to prevent future hair damage, promoting the growth of thick, strong, and healthy hair.

Hemp Seed Oil and Scalp Health

As well as promoting our hair’s health, hemp seed oil may also play a key role in our scalp health. When applied topically, the oil may potentially help to minimise the symptoms of dry and inflamed scalps, due to its purported anti-inflammatory properties, as well as the inclusion of omega-3 and omega-6, which are believed to possibly lower symptoms of skin inflammation and irritation.

Inflammatory scalp conditions, such as eczema, folliculitis, and psoriasis can harm hair growth, and (in some severe cases) can even lead to premature balding. Therefore, hemp seed oil’s potential anti-inflammatory properties are reported to have the potential to reduce inflammation of the scalp, which may protect against hair loss. As well as soothing the scalp, it also helps deliver hydration, and act as a natural regulator of sebum, the scalp’s natural oil. 

Although, at first glance, we associate the unique, nutritious content of hemp seed oil with maintaining a healthy diet, it is also an excellent addition to our hair and skin routine - earning its triple-threat status. With strong anecdotal evidence suggesting promising results in all three areas, hemp seed oil is becoming the go-to natural supplement for our health and well-being, both inside and out.

Whether consumed as a nutritious food supplement in the form of Hemp Seed Capsules or used topically, hemp seed oil's purported properties could be the answer to finding hair care and self-care routines grounded in nature.