As recently as a decade ago, most people were unfamiliar with the term “omega-3s,” but now we’re more likely to know, at least, that they’re something good for us.
- Vitamins are organic molecules, (meaning they contain carbon), and are very susceptible to heat – overcooking breaks them down.
- Minerals are stable chemical elements. They do not break down as easily as vitamins do. Plants absorb the minerals they find in the soil and use them to produce vitamins. Humans cannot do that, although if we have a healthy digestive system, some of those little organisms in our gut manufacture small amounts of vitamins for us.
While ultra-processed foods contain carbs, proteins, and fats, many lack essential micronutrients.
Nutrients are absolutely critical in at least five ways:
- to build your brain and enable to function efficiently
- to make energy molecules
- to modulate your DNA expression and keep your genes healthy
- to fight inflammation, and
- to protect you from toxins.
The list of nutrients known to contribute to brain function is summarised as:
- The same minerals needed by our soil to be healthy: Boron, calcium, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, lithium, magnesium, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, lithium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, vanadium, and zinc.
- All the vitamins produced by crops grown in soil: Vitamins A, B2 through 12, C, D, E, and K.
- The essential fatty acids: Particularly omega-3s
- All the phytonutrients that healthy plants package along with the above, currently estimated to be approximately 10,000.
- All the proteins and amino acids produced by healthy crops – there are about twenty-two amino acids.
Hemp seed protein
Hemp seed fats
Like proteins, there are some “essential” fats that your body cannot produce and must be obtained from food. Omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids, which are found in hemp seeds, are important for good health.
A typical “Western” diet is high in omega-6 fats. This throws off the body’s balanced ratio of omega-6s to omega-3s. This is why there are so many recommendations for consuming more omega-3 fats through food sources or supplements. In fact, studies reveal that omega-3 EPA appears to be the most significant nutrient for mental health disorders like depression and anxiety.
There is a lot of misinformation out there about omega-6s, but the key point to understand is the RATIO. Omega-3s and omega-6s are both necessary. That is why hemp seed fats are so unique! They have the ideal 3:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids.
Hemp seed minerals
We recently wrote a whole series on just a few of the many minerals found in hemp seed. Most notably and found in very high quantities are; Magnesium, Potassium, Iron, Zinc and Manganese.
You can review the article here.
- Buy real food, avoid ultra-processed food.
- Increase the variety in your diet by adding new fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds that you perhaps haven’t tried before. Make sure your diet is fresh and colourful and get adventurous!
- Try a new and easy recipe every week
- Remember that dark, leafy greens are a great source of some of those B vitamins you need
- Meat, fish, and eggs are good sources of protein, helping to regulate blood sugar and appetite as well as providing bioavailable iron and zinc.
- If following a vegan diet, hemp is a valuable plant-based addition
There is no one-size-fits-all nutrient! For good brain health, all nutrients are necessary. Although other lifestyle elements such as exercise and a fulfilling emotional life are vital, it is critical to provide your brain with all the nutrients it requires for optimal metabolism.
The doctor of the future will no longer treat the human frame with drugs, but rather will cure and prevent disease with nutrition. – Thomas Edison