Hempseeds Good For Heart

Hempseeds, in addition to a cholesterol-enriched diet, cholesterol-induced platelet aggregation returns to control levels, according to a recent study published in the Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology (2008;86(4):153-159). Hempseed is a rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which have been shown to reduce the detrimental effects of cholesterol on platelet aggregation. Male New Zealand white rabbits were fed one of six dietary interventions: regular control diet (RG); control diet + 10 percent hempseed (HP); control diet + 10 percent partially delipidated hempseed (DHP); control diet + 0.5 percent cholesterol (OL); control diet + 0.5 percent cholesterol + 10 percent hempseed (OLHP); control diet + 5 percent coconut oil (CO). After eight weeks, the hempseed-fed animals (HP and OLHP) displayed elevated plasma levels of PUFAs and a prominent enhancement in 18:3 omega-6 gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) levels. The cholesterol-supplemented groups (OL and OLHP) had significantly elevated plasma levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, but platelet aggregation was significantly augmented only in the OL group. The addition of hempseed to this diet (OLHP) normalized aggregation. The direct addition of GLA to the OL platelet samples blocked the cholesterol-induced stimulation of platelet aggregation. Researchers said, “This normalization [of platelet aggregation] is not due to a reduction in plasma cholesterol levels, but may be partly due to increased levels of plasma GLA.”