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and the housing industry generates a large proportion of the country's domestic carbon dioxide output. A large-scale change in building methods would facilitate our compliance with targets such as, or preferably exceeding, Kyoto Protocol levels. The doomsayers may claim that compliance with the Protocol would harm the economy, but a large-scale transition to hemp-based paper, textiles and building industries would provide a massive economic stimulus, creating quality employment and export opportunities—unlike the short-sighted consumer-based stimulus strategies currently in use. and the housing industry generates a large proportion omega-3 for each three parts of omega-6 (1:3). The of the country's domestic carbon dioxide output. A industrialisation of the western diet and the large-scale change in building methods would facilitate | consumption of mass-marketed canola and other our compliance with targets such as, or preferably — inferior oils—which have little omega-3 content in any exceeding, Kyoto Protocol levels. The doomsayers may case—have had the critical effect of seriously reducing claim that compliance with the Protocol would harm the _ the omega-3 intake whilst at the same time dramatically economy, but a large-scale transition to hemp-based __ increasing the omega-6 intake. paper, textiles and building industries would provide a The body maintains homoeostasis by a dynamic massive economic stimulus, creating quality balance between opposing forces; for example, the employment and export opportunities—unlike the musculoskeletal system balances opposing flexion and short-sighted consumer-based stimulus strategies extension muscles to maintain posture. Biochemically, currently in use. the body maintains its interior homoeostasis by delicately balancing pro-inflammatory and anti- Hemp Seed in Health and Medicine inflammatory effects. The body mus In the areas of health and medicine, be able to mount an effective he use of hemp could lead to inflammatory response to repe dramatic improvements in society. microbial invaders and as an adjunc Hemp seed is one of the richest There are two in wound healing, but it must then be sources of ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), 9 able to down-regulate this he plant-based form of the essential essential fatty inflammation to prevent unwanted atty acid omega-3. ALA has an 18- acids: omega-3 collateral damage to adjacent tissue. carbon backbone, which is elongated In general terms, the omega-6 fatty in the body to a 22-carbon chain to and omega-6. acids and their derivatives are pro- orm DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and They are referred inflammatory, whilst the omega-3s EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). In this 7 2 produce mediators which down- orm, omega-3 is incorporated into the to as "essential regulate the inflammatory response. brain, forming a critical part of the With a predominance of omega-6 and neuronal membrane. because they a deficiency of omega-3, the body cannot be synthesised by the body but must be obtained from food. is in a permanent state of excess inflammation. The release of inflammatory cytokines initiates the process of tissue damage which, if the process continues long enough, manifests as illness such as vascular disease, loss of vision and dementia. When the synovial joints are affected, ostoeoarthritis results, causing much pain and suffering for a large proportion of the Omega-3 from marine sources occurs as DHA and EPA, and taking omega-3 in this form bypasses the need for the conversion. However, ALA has beneficial effects itself, and using marine-derived omega-3 places a severe strain on the aquatic environment. Further, omega-3 is a very reactive molecule, and the harsh industrial conditions used in the extraction and deodorisation of the oil leave it with less than optimal activity, with detectable levels o population. contaminants including mercury and polychlorinated Like knights in shining armour, the pharmaceutical biphenyls (PCBs) found in many commercial samples. corporations offered their response: the non-steroidal Fortunately, most individuals can readily convert ALA __anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These chemicals are to DHA and EPA in sufficient quantity for optimal brain based on aspirin but have been modified to exhibit a development. Luckily, two groups with particular need more rapid effect, better analgesic properties or some for DHA and EPA—pregnant women and young _ other characteristic to give their product a marketable children—are particularly efficient at this conversion. | edge over the competition. NSAIDs have generated an The enzymes responsible for the conversion can be _ industry with multibillion-dollar sales annually, despite impeded by an excess of saturated fats, so for optima the fact that they are responsible for the deaths of results these must be reduced in the diet. hundreds of thousands of people globally. As a spin-off There are two essential fatty acids: omega-3 and advantage for the corporations, the most frequent side omega-6. They are referred to as “essential” because _ effect of the NSAIDs is gastric irritation, often leading to they cannot be synthesised by the body but must be — ulceration. To the NSAIDs billions were added the obtained from food. The ideal ratio for optimal health billions of dollars from the sales of antacids like between the intake of omega-3 and omega-6 is one par Zantac® and more recently the proton pump inhibitors. essential fatty acids: omega-3 and omega-6. They are referred cannot be synthesised by the body but must be obtained from food. “son id ie ~- ane population. Like knights in shining armour, the pharmaceutical corporations offered their response: the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These chemicals are based on aspirin but have been modified to exhibit a more rapid effect, better analgesic properties or some other characteristic to give their product a marketable edge over the competition. NSAIDs have generated an industry with multibillion-dollar sales annually, despite the fact that they are responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people globally. As a spin-off advantage for the corporations, the most frequent side effect of the NSAIDs is gastric irritation, often leading to ulceration. To the NSAIDs billions were added the billions of dollars from the sales of antacids like Zantac® and more recently the proton pump inhibitors. NEXUS « 19 There are two to as "essential" because they OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2010 www.nexusmagazine.com