protein

Black Seed: From King Tut to Now

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The seed of the Nigella Sativa plant, commonly referred to as “black seed,” is a powerhouse for health and wellness—however, very few people in the western world have even heard of it. In the East, this little seed has been in use since time immemorial. Black seed oil was even discovered in the tomb of Tutankhamen (King Tut), which dates it back some 3,300 years.

According to WebMD, black seed has historically been used for everything from headaches to pink eye to parasites. Today, it’s use is even more varied:

Today, black seed is used for treating digestive tract conditions including gas, colic, diarrhea, dysentery, constipation, and hemorrhoids. It is also used for respiratory conditions including asthma, allergies, cough, bronchitis, emphysema, flu, swine flu, and congestion.

Other uses include lowering blood pressure, lowering cholesterol levels, treating cancer, and boosting the immune system.

That still doesn’t offer a complete list of what this little wonder seed has been used for; some use it as birth control, to help with rheumatism and to ease side-effects of a chemotherapy drug called cisplatin.

With so much to it’s name, it’s not wonder that Muhammad (the Prophet of Islam) declared black seed to be a remedy for everything short of death.

From a more scientific perspective, Amazingherbs.com tells us that its chemical composition is:

very rich and diverse. Aside from its primary ingredient, crystalline nigellone, Black Seed contains 15 amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, both fixed oils (84% fatty acids, including linolenic, and oleic), and volatile oils, alkaloids, saponin, and crude fiber, as well as minerals such as calcium, iron, sodium and potassium. There are still many components in Black Seed that haven’t been identified. But research is going on around the world.

From a cultural standpoint, I’m well versed in the many uses/benefits said to be derived from black seed. From an objective, scientific standpoint, I’m excited to see the scientific community taking note and eager to see what experimentation and study has and will yield from it. As Sayer Ji of GreenMedInfo is quick to note,

Many of black cumin’s traditionally ascribed health benefits have been thoroughly confirmed in the biomedical literature.

Let me close with a quick warning from the folks at WebMD:

Black seed seems to be safe in food amounts during pregnancy. But taking larger medicinal amounts is UNSAFE. Black seed can slow down or stop the uterus from contracting.

Not much is known about the safety of using black seed during breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

To purchase your own black seed oil head over to Amazon!

 

References
Black Seed – ‘The Remedy For Everything But Death’
WebMD: Black Seed
Amazingherbs.com
WebMD: Black Seed Side Effects & Safety

New Cancer Treatment Shows Promising Results in Leukemia Patients

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New cancer treatment trials are shedding light on the ultimate solution for leukemia patients. Leukemia is a type of cancer found in blood cells which originates in the bone marrow that is inside every bone. When mainstream cancer treatments and institutions failed leukemia patents, a group of scientists from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania decided to take those patients in as a last resort.  Using an altered form of the HIV virus, patients were given modified T-cells that directly annihilate cancer cells.

Here is a summary of how this particular cancer treatment works:

Patients’ cells are removed and then undergo the modification process. The T-cells found in the blood sample are reprogrammed to target tumor cells. This reprogramming works through gene modification using an altered form of the HIV virus. It is not deadly, and the only part used is the part that encodes a new protein, called a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), into the T-cells’ surface. This protein then binds to another protein called CD19.

Related Read: Cannabis Cures Cancer and Everything Else

CD19 is a protein that is expressed in all tumor cells, as well as B cells, which are part of the immune system. The patients get a dose of B cells from the docs, so no worry there. The rest of the cells in the body do not have this CD19 protein shown on the surface, so they are ignored. The newly engineered T-cells are infused back into the patient, and start to kill off the tumors. Not to mention, the T-cells also multiply and stay present in the system.

Nine of twelve leukemia patients who received infusions of their own T cells after the cells had been genetically engineered to attack the patients’ tumors responded to the therapy. – http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/news/News_Releases/2012/12/tcell/

This seems really promising. On an even more promising note, there are more scientists tinkering with similar methods to specifically have T-cells target the CD19 protein found on tumor cells. Let us pray that one day this cancer treatment works not only on leukemia, but also on lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, and all other forms of cancer as well.

Related Read: Can Genetically Modified Corn Form Tumors in the Body?

 

Sources:

http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110810/full/news.2011.472.html

http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/news/News_Releases/2012/12/tcell/

 

The Power Of Hemp Seeds

/ esfein / 1 Comment

Did you know that hemp seed is one of the most nutritional and highest/most digestible protein sources that exist?

And the best part? It tastes amazing!

I know what you’re thinking. Either, come on dude, you’re just a hippy who likes to get high and eat at the same time; hemp seed just kills two birds with one stone. Or, c’mon dude, shut up and pass it.

Well hear me out happening hipster, because hemp seed might just end up blowing your traditional diet right out of the cosmos. First, hemp seed will not get you high. Industrial hemp itself contains extremely little THC (.05% – 1%), the compound that destroys food pantries and makes CSPAN hilarious. Most commercial hemp products, like Nutiva brand hemp seed, contain no THC at all. As a comparison, ‘marijuana’ has a THC content of somewhere between 3% and 20% (depending on if your dealer is James Franco or your cousin’s smelly roommate). Although marijuana and hemp are both cannabis plants, they are only relatives. To say they are the same is like saying a grey hound and a shih tzu are the same dog. The bottom line is that no matter how much hemp seed you pour down your gullet, it won’t make you high, just healthy.

And speaking of health, hemp seed is downright full of it!

Here is a list of what makes hemp seed so great, found on this fantastic site here:

Hemp contains:

* All 20 amino acids, including the 9 essential amino acids (EAAs) our bodies cannot produce.
* A high protein percentage of the simple proteins that strengthen immunity and fend off toxins.
* Eating hemp seeds in any form could aid, if not heal, people suffering from immune deficiency diseases. This conclusion is supported by the fact that hemp seed has been used to treat nutritional deficiencies brought on by tuberculosis, a severe nutrition blocking disease that causes the body to waste away.
* Nature’s highest botanical source of essential fatty acid, with more essential fatty acid than flax or any other nut or seed oil.
* A perfect 3:1 ratio of Omega-6 Linoleic Acid and Omega-3 Linolenic Acid – for cardiovascular health and general strengthening of the immune system.
* A superior vegetarian source of protein considered easily digestible.
* A rich source of phytonutrients, the disease-protective element of plants with benefits protecting your immunity, bloodstream, tissues, cells, skin, organs and mitochondria.
* The richest known source of polyunsaturated essential fatty acids.

And guess what? It gets better!

Hemp seeds are 25% protien, second only to soy in the plant kingdom.  The reason hemp is preferred over soy is because soy contains a high amount of phytic acid, an anti-nutrient that prevents your body from absorbing certain minerals.  Hemp seeds contain NO phytic acid! (phytic acid is actually a really interesting compound.  It has a great amount of health benefits and detriments, and is a source of controversy regarding its proper level of intake in my own mind. For more information start here.)

Furthermore, hemp seeds contain vitamin E, phytosterols (cancer fighting), fiber, magnesium, iron, zinc, and potassium.

This article has even more amazing information. It states that because hemp protein is 65% globulin edistin, and also contains albumin, it is very similar to the blood plasma already coursing through our bodies. This makes it the most easily digestible source of protein that we have ever found.

Why is that so great? It means less waste and greater efficiency. You can eat less and get even more out of what you put into your system.

The article explains that:

“Hemp is not unique in having all the essential amino acids in its embryonic seed. Flax seeds also contain all the essential amino acids as do many other seeds in the plant kingdom. What is unique about hemp seed protein is that 65% of it is globulin edistin. That is the highest in the plant kingdom.

Globulins are one of seven classes of simple proteins. Simple proteins are constructed from amino acids and contain no non-protein substances. Globulins are in seeds and animal blood. Edistins are found in seeds: serum globulin is in blood. Edistins are plant globulins. And globulins along with albumins are classified as globular proteins. All enzymes, antibodies, many hormones, hemoglobin and fibrogin (the body converts fibrogin into non-soluble, fibrin, a blood clotting agent) are globular proteins. They carry out the main work of living.

Albumin, globulin and fibrogin are the major types of plasma proteins. Plasma is the fluid portion of blood that supplies nutrients to tissues. And the three protein types: serum albumin, serum globulin and fibrogin, compose about 80% of plasma solids. These plasma proteins serve as a reservoir of rapidly available amino acids should any body tissues be in need.”

Here’s the break down chap:

The Hemp Formula

hemp seed= healthier cells= healthier tissue= healthier body= healthier + happier YOU!

To wrap this up, I’d like to share a list of information provided by the North American Industrial Hemp Council found here. I’m not 100% positive how accurate all of this information is, but it is interesting nonetheless and worth further investigation.

I would also like to add to this list, and to your ideas for further investigation, that hemp oil has been showing a great deal of results in not only preventing many forms of cancer, but also curing it. Here are some great sites and videos to get started: 1…2…3…4

The Power Of Hemp Seeds: Behold Powerful Nutrition

/ esfein / 10 Comments
Did you know that hemp seeds are one of the most nutritional and highest/most digestible protein sources that exist?

And the best part? It tastes amazing!

I know what you’re thinking. Either, come on dude, you’re just a hippy who likes to get high and eat at the same time; hemp seed just kills two birds with one stone. Or, c’mon dude, shut up and pass it.

Well hear me out happening hipster, because hemp seeds might just end up blowing your traditional diet right out of the cosmos. First, hemp seeds will not get you high. Industrial hemp itself contains extremely little THC (.05% – 1%), the compound that destroys food pantries and makes CSPAN hilarious. Most commercial hemp products, like Nutiva brand hemp seeds, contain no THC at all. As a comparison, ‘marijuana’ has a THC content of somewhere between 3% and 20% (depending on if your dealer is James Franco or your cousin’s smelly roommate). Although marijuana and hemp are both cannabis plants, they are only relatives. To say they are the same is like saying a grey hound and a shih tzu are the same dog. The bottom line is that no matter how much hemp seeds you pour down your gullet, it won’t make you high, just healthy.

And speaking of health, hemp seeds are downright full of it! Hemp seeds are one of the most nutritionally beneficial substances known to man.

Here is a list of what makes hemp seeds so great, from an article in Body Ecology:

Hemp seeds contain:

* All 20 amino acids, including the 9 essential amino acids (EAAs) our bodies cannot produce.
* A high protein percentage of the simple proteins that strengthen immunity and fend off toxins.
* Eating hemp seeds in any form could aid, if not heal, people suffering from immune deficiency diseases. This conclusion is supported by the fact that hemp seed has been used to treat nutritional deficiencies brought on by tuberculosis, a severe nutrition blocking disease that causes the body to waste away.
* Nature’s highest botanical source of essential fatty acid, with more essential fatty acid than flax or any other nut or seed oil.
* A perfect 3:1 ratio of Omega-6 Linoleic Acid and Omega-3 Linolenic Acid – for cardiovascular health and general strengthening of the immune system.
* A superior vegetarian source of protein considered easily digestible.
* A rich source of phytonutrients, the disease-protective element of plants with benefits protecting your immunity, bloodstream, tissues, cells, skin, organs and mitochondria.
* The richest known source of polyunsaturated essential fatty acids.

And guess what? It gets better!

Hemp seeds are 25% protien, second only to soy in the plant kingdom.  The reason hemp is preferred over soy is because soy contains a high amount of phytic acid, an anti-nutrient that prevents your body from absorbing certain minerals.  Hemp seeds contain NO phytic acid! (phytic acid is actually a really interesting compound.  It has a great amount of health benefits and detriments, and is a source of controversy regarding its proper level of intake in my own mind. For more information take a look at Healthy Eating Politic’s article on Phytic Acid.)

Furthermore, hemp seeds contain vitamin E, phytosterols (cancer fighting), fiber, magnesium, iron, zinc, and potassium.

This article has even more amazing information. It states that because hemp protein is 65% globulin edistin, and also contains albumin, it is very similar to the blood plasma already coursing through our bodies. This makes it the most easily digestible source of protein that we have ever found.

Why is that so great? It means less waste and greater efficiency. You can eat less and get even more out of what you put into your system.

The article explains that:

Hemp is not unique in having all the essential amino acids in its embryonic seed. Flax seeds also contain all the essential amino acids as do many other seeds in the plant kingdom. What is unique about hemp seed protein is that 65% of it is globulin edistin. That is the highest in the plant kingdom.

Globulins are one of seven classes of simple proteins. Simple proteins are constructed from amino acids and contain no non-protein substances. Globulins are in seeds and animal blood. Edistins are found in seeds: serum globulin is in blood. Edistins are plant globulins. And globulins along with albumins are classified as globular proteins. All enzymes, antibodies, many hormones, hemoglobin and fibrogin (the body converts fibrogin into non-soluble, fibrin, a blood clotting agent) are globular proteins. They carry out the main work of living.

Albumin, globulin and fibrogin are the major types of plasma proteins. Plasma is the fluid portion of blood that supplies nutrients to tissues. And the three protein types: serum albumin, serum globulin and fibrogin, compose about 80% of plasma solids. These plasma proteins serve as a reservoir of rapidly available amino acids should any body tissues be in need.

Here’s the break down chap:

The Hemp Formula

hemp seed= healthier cells= healthier tissue= healthier body= healthier + happier YOU!

To wrap this up, I’d like to share a list of information provided by the North American Industrial Hemp Council found here. I’m not 100% positive how accurate all of this information is, but it is interesting nonetheless and worth further investigation.

I would also like to add to this list, and to your ideas for further investigation, that hemp oil has been showing a great deal of results in not only preventing many forms of cancer, but also curing it. Here are some great sites and videos to get started: 

National Health Federation: Hemp Oil and Cancer

Cannabis Culture: Run From The Cure: How Cannabis Cures Cancer And Why No One Knows

Documentary: What if Cannabis Cured Cancer?

 

 

Direct Links to the Sources:

Nutiva Hemp Seed on Amazon Nutritional Information

Nutrition and Metabolism: The Cardiac and Haemostatic Effects of Dietary Hempseed

Body Ecology: Hemp: Is this Nutty Food Source with a Questionable Reputation Good for You?

Healthy Eating Politics: Phytic Acid: Helpful or Harmful?

National Health Federation: Hemp Oil and Cancer

Cannabis Culture: Run From The Cure: How Cannabis Cures Cancer And Why No One Knows

Documentary: What if Cannabis Cured Cancer?