Hemp as Health Food - Ashley Koff Approved

AT HOME
health & nutrition
NEWS YOU CAN USE
Hemp as Health Food
By Liz Robins
The Declaration of Independence was
drafted on it. Abraham Lincoln used its seed
oil to fuel lamps in his home. Henry Ford even
built a car body with the fiber as an experiment due to its incredible strength.
Industrial hemp has a rich history in
American culture, and it’s no wonder, given
the sustainable and versatile nature of this
long-cultivated plant. But federal policy
enacted in the late 1950s—which doesn’t
distinguish between industrial hemp and
drug varieties—has since prohibited its
growth in the United States. Currently,
hemp fiber and food-grade seed and oil are
imported from Canada and other industrialized nations where it can be grown legally.
Hemp advocates are hoping that attitudes
and U.S. federal policy will change, and
Hemp History Week (hemphistoryweek.com;
May 2nd to 8th) is one way they’re building
awareness of the plant’s history and
myriad benefits.
Health benefits are among them, thanks
to the impressive nutritional profile of hemp
seed and its oil. “Hemp seeds are considered
a ‘complete’ protein, as their amino-acid
profile includes all the essential ones, in good
quantities and well-absorbed forms so that
it can be a stand-in for animal protein
sources,” says Hemp History Week Endorser
and Spokesperson Ashley Koff, R.D., also an
author and health and lifestyle contributor.
Hemp-seed oil on its own also has a lot
to offer, nutritionally speaking. It provides an
ideal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids
(4:1 or 5:1), says Koff, which contribute to
heart and brain health, immunity, and more.
“This need to consume more omega-6
than omega-3 for optimal health may
surprise people because of how much we
hear about the need to get in omega-3 fatty
acids,” says Koff. “But the current diet is so
out of balance, with ratios anywhere from
10:1 to estimates of 25:1 in those consum-
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Organic Spa Magazine | March–April 2011
ing nutrient-poor diets. Thus, protocol has
been to replete omega-3 to correct this imbalance. While this is necessary for many,
those consuming a healthy diet and looking
at preventive health want to aim for the more
desirable ratio (4:1), which hemp offers.”
Koff points out that the quality of omega-6
fatty acids varies significantly from whole
organic food sources to highly processed,
poor-quality food ingredients. “Someone
adding omega-3-rich foods into their diet—
wild fish, soybeans, walnuts, chia seeds—
should look to hemp oil to help ensure sufficient intake of quality omega-6 fatty acids,
she recommends. “Some omega-6s are
pro-inflammatory, but GLA (gamma-linolenic
acid)—the omega-6 in hemp—has [been]
shown to be anti-inflammatory.”
GLA and SDA, or stearidonic acid, are
both polyunsaturated fatty acids in hemp oil
that contribute to skin, hair, nail, and hormonal
health, says Koff. SDA also helps convert
dietary omega-3 fatty acids into forms the
body can use.
“One of the challenges we often hear
about vegetarian sources of ALA (like flax
seed) is that it doesn’t readily convert to the
needed EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and
DHA (docosahexaenoic) fatty acids in the
body, or that some bodies convert it better
than others,” explains Koff. “So the presence
of SDA in hemp, especially for a non-fish
eating vegetarian or a vegan, is significant.”
A growing array of hemp foods on the
market—many of them organic—makes it easy
to incorporate this nutrient powerhouse into
the diet. “And don’t worry about looking for
THC content (the stuff that gets you ‘high’),”
assures Koff. “Hemp-seed varieties sourced
don’t contain significant amounts, even with
daily routine consumption.”
Liz Robins is the Contributing Editor of Health
& Nutrition at Organic Spa Magazine.
Reap the Benefits!
HEMP MILK: Pour it on cereal or
make a smoothie with frozen fruit and
hemp protein powder for a morning or
post-workout pick-me-up.
HEMP OIL: Drizzle on salads or add
to soups and sauces (It’s not recommended for high-temperature cooking or frying, as the nutritional value
diminishes at temperatures over 350
degrees Fahrenheit.)
HEMP GRANOLA: Top off your favorite cereal with a small serving, or add to
organic yogurt for a crunchy boost of
healthy fats and other nutrients for
sustained energy.
SHELLED HEMP SEEDS: Sprinkle
on yogurt or salads, add to baked
dishes, or eat a small handful as a satisfying, protein-rich snack.
HEMP BREAD AND BAGELS:
Give your sandwich a nutty, nutritious
kick by subbing in these tasty varieties
for your typical slices. Toasting really
brings out the flavor.
AT HOME
Detox Download
No options, no problems
By Liz Robins
When it comes to getting and staying
healthy, there are plenty of decisions to
make: What to eat each meal of the day;
which kind of exercise to do and for how
long; how to avoid reaching for that third
cookie or cocktail at a party; and on and
on. Having choices can be a great thing,
but sometimes having so many options
only complicates matters—and leaves
open the possibility of making less-thanhealthy choices.
Enter The Ranch at Live Oak Malibu, a
recently opened luxury boot camp located
on an organic ranch in the Santa Monica
Mountains, above the beaches of Malibu.
This fitness, health and wellness retreat
employs a “no-options” approach to help
guests meet their weight-loss, detox, fitness,
and nutrition goals. The 10 hours of daily
low-impact, moderate exercise—hiking,
weights, and yoga, for starters—and strict,
calorie-restricted vegetarian diet—no
caffeine, alcohol, or processed sugars—
are mandatory, so there really aren’t any
unhealthy choices to make. (Prior to
arrival, guests prepare with a 30-day
program provided by The Ranch, so they
Beyond shedding pounds, cleansing
the system and regaining mental clarity,
Ranch-goers head back out into the world
of endless options knowing just how
rewarding making healthy choices, and
changes, can be. (Check out page 62 for
more on this property.) $5,600; six nights,
all-inclusive, theranchmalibu.com
don’t enter into it cold turkey.) Much of
the food served throughout the weeklong
program comes from The Ranch’s own
sustainable, organic farm, so it’s fresh and
flavorful, as well as artfully prepared.
Another aspect of detoxing at The Ranch
is reducing reliance upon electronics, says
Mark Alabanza, Program Director. “For
some the hardest part is taking off their
watch and letting the present just be the
present,” he says. With no distractions and
decisions to make, guests are free to focus
on themselves and their health, both
psychologically and physically—a rare
opportunity for most.
ALTERNATELY
Herbal Cleanse at Exhale Spas
Speaking of options, a more affordable
detox one that doesn’t require a week
away (for those living in cities with flagship Exhale Spa locations, anyway) is this
seven-day herbal cleanse offered yearround. Designed for those relatively new
to cleansing, the program includes Blessed
Herbs colon-cleansing products, nutrition
wellness coaching, an Acu-Organ Detox
treatment with an acupuncturist, and a
60-minute Fusion Massage, along with
unlimited mind-body classes.
$610; $510 for members, exhalespa.com
RANCH AT LIVE OAK PHOTO: MAR K ADAMS PICTU R ES
WORKSHOPS & WELLNESS HAPPENINGS
MARCH 6–13
APRIL 2–3
APRIL 24–27
Healthy Nutrition; Healthy Sleep
Golden Door (Escondido, California)
Fresh Start: Choosing your relationship
with food, one day at a time
The Resort at the Mountain (Welches, Oregon)
Discovery and Rediscovery of the Kitchen
with Chef Deborah Madison
Rancho La Puerta (Tecate, Mexico)
Nourish body and mind during this two-day session that includes exploring food as medicine,
juicing classes, raw cuisine, pantry planning,
and more with Rev. Steven Bailey, ND, and his
wife, Susan, at one of the Pacific Northwest’s
premier resorts. (Don’t miss the spa.)
Ramp up your kitchen skills and learn to
prepare wholesome, tasty foods with ease.
Award-winning chef, writer, cooking teacher,
and James Beard Hall of Fame member
Deborah Madison leads this intensive, four-day,
hands-on workshop covering everything from
knife skills and salt tasting to making soups and
working with vegetables.
Drs. Wendy and Jason Bazilian will show you
how to maximize nutrition with colorful produce
and create a better sleep environment and
routine during this week-long program. They’ll
also cover “East-Meets West” techniques to
boost metabolism and immune function and
lower stress.
$7,750 (includes accommodation, fitness,
daily spa treatment, meals and more);
goldendoor.com/escondido
$290, plus $89 for lodging; theresort.com
$545, plus tax; www.rancholapuerta.com
—L.R.
www.organicspamagazine.com
Organic Spa Magazine | March–April 2011 27
AT HOME
health & nutrition
The Spa
That Comes
to You
There’s nothing quite like a visit to
legendary Rancho La Puerta fitness
resort and spa in Baja, California, but
a recently launched iPhone app (developed with MacroView Labs and free
to download via Apple’s App Store) is
the next best thing to being there. The
Rancho La Puerta app gives users access
to healthy recipes, instructional fitness
video, news, photos, social networking,
and other content.
Those planning a trip to the resort
can use the app to easily access reservations, travel info, real-time weather
updates and a schedule of events. Once
there, users can find their way around
with interactive maps and instantly
contact housekeeping or anyone else
on staff.
Even if a visit isn’t in your immediate
plans, you can take a virtual spa trip—
meditate or work out at home with videos featuring Ranch instructors, try a
new recipe from the resort’s renowned
cooking school, and get tips on healthy
eating from the Ranch’s nutritionist.
Of course, not everything about the
Rancho La Puerta experience can be
captured by an app, and that’s a good
thing. Just don’t be surprised if the
gorgeous photos entice you to use your
phone to book a flight to Baja.
—L.R.
Beauty
from the
Inside Out
By Liz Robins
Given society’s preoccupation
with superficial beauty, it can
be easy to forget that our skin is
actually a reflection of our overall
health as opposed to an isolated
organ. Considering this, it makes
sense that the same nutrients that
support the rest of your body—healthy fats,
antioxidants, and others—contribute
to skin health.
“Every cell is connected, ultimately, to
every other cell,” explains world-renowned
dermatologist Howard Murad, M.D., FAAD,
founder of Murad Skincare Inc., and author
of The Water Secret (Wiley, 2010). “The
skin is connected to every system in the
body. All must work in synergy for total
body health.”
Maintaining strong cells capable of
retaining water is the key to vibrant health
from the inside out, according to Murad.
Young, strong cells throughout the body
retain water well, but as we age, cell membranes grow thinner and thinner, eventually
allowing intracellular water to leak out. Visible
signs of this include drier skin, cellulite,
fine lines, and wrinkles starting in the late
twenties and early thirties.
There is good news, however: Because
cell membranes are made up of essential
fatty acids and amino acids, boosting
dietary intake of these and other vital
nutrients can make membranes thicker and
healthier, enabling them to retain more water.
Fatty acids are also hydrophilic, or “waterloving,” so they attract water into cells. The
result? Improved overall health, slowing of
the aging process and more beautiful skin
that’s better equipped to handle environmental stresses.
To benefit, Murad suggests eating
three to four servings of healthy fats a day,
including essential fatty acids in a variety
of forms: flax-seed oil, extra-virgin olive oil,
seeds, nuts, and oil from cold-water fish,
among other sources. This is just one of
his recommendations laid out in The Water
Secret. Follow Murad’s advice and you’ll
likely end up looking as good as you feel.
BOOST YOUR FATTY-ACID INTAKE
Some of the latest sources of health-promoting fatty acids are the easiest to swallow:
Barleans Omega Swirl Omega-3 Supplements feature the taste and texture
of a fruit smoothie, making these naturally sweetened, fish- and flax-seed oil
products appealing to the entire family.
Vectomega tablets deliver omega-3s in the phospholipid form in which they
naturally occur in salmon, making them significantly more absorbable than fish oils.
A very small dose is required, and there’s no fishy taste or burping.
Murad’s Firm and Tone Dietary Supplement Pack for Cellulite and Stretch
Mark Management contains convenient, packaged daily doses of a patented
complex (essential fatty acids, multivitamins, and more) that support skin strength.
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Organic Spa Magazine | March–April 2011