Hemp Power: Plant-Based Antioxidants for Health and Cell Protection

Free radicals are unstable oxygen-containing molecules because they lack an electron in their chemical structure. To become complete again, they attack an inactive body molecule, for example, in the cell membrane, in proteins, or in DNA, to steal the needed electron through oxidation. The stolen molecule now also lacks an electron, it becomes a free radical itself and commits another electron theft, leading to dangerous chain reactions that can harm us sustainably: Cell membranes are attacked and become non-functional, or cells divide uncontrollably due to DNA damage, which can lead to cancer. Body proteins are no longer produced sufficiently, or receptors on cell surfaces are destroyed, which are important docking sites for hormones, enzymes, and other substances. When free radicals attack collagen in cartilage tissue, this can lead to joint complaints such as arthritis. Therefore, our body needs antioxidants, which act as powerful "radical catchers" to interrupt this destructive cycle and protect our body cells! They are present before free radicals can steal electrons and give them one of their own electrons. In doing so, they do not become a harmful radical themselves, as they are immediately returned to their antioxidant form. The most well-known antioxidants are vitamin C and E, which work together as a perfect team in the fight against free radicals. When a vitamin E molecule has inactivated one, it is restored to its original state by vitamin C and can act as an antioxidant again. The regeneration of the short-lived vitamin E radicals is one of the most important tasks of vitamin C.

Nutrition and Antioxidants: How We Protect Our Cells

Our modern diet based on grains, dairy products, and meat provides us with plenty of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, while it tends to lack valuable antioxidants. The indispensable defenders for our body, on the other hand, come from the whole variety of vegetables, fruits, sprouts, unrefined oils and fats, as well as oilseeds and nuts, which must not be missing from our menu! And...

Vitamin E and Gamma-Tocopherols: Cell Protection for Skin, Heart, and Immune System

Hemp oil and hemp seeds are among the outstanding sources of vitamin E, alongside other plant oils such as wheat germ, sunflower, and olive oil. The recommended daily intake of vitamin E according to the German Nutrition Society (DGE) is 12-14 mg and can already be covered with about 15 g of hemp oil per day! Pregnant and breastfeeding women, smokers, and people with weakened immune systems, heart diseases, or in stressful life situations have an increased need. Vitamin E protects our cells very powerfully. It can prevent inflammatory reactions and arteriosclerosis, is considered a fertility vitamin, protects our memory, and strengthens our immune system by stimulating the production of antibodies. It promotes the formation of hormones, enzymes, and proteins and keeps red blood cells healthy.

Cell Protection for Our Largest Organ – Our Skin

That is why vitamin E is used in many skincare products. There, it can increase the moisture content of the skin and accelerate wound healing, protect against the sun, slow down aging processes, and also have anti-inflammatory effects. There are different groups of vitamin E, one of which is the so-called "tocopherols," with their most well-known representative being "alpha-tocopherol". However, the "gamma-tocopherols" are particularly effective radical catchers, of which hemp contains five times more compared to the alpha form! Studies have shown that adequate supply of gamma-tocopherol can lower the risk of cancer. Preventive protection is assumed not only against breast and prostate cancer but also shows effects in the intestine. By reducing the formation of mutagens that arise during the oxidation of fecal fats and can alter genetic material, gamma-tocopherol lowers oxidative stress and the susceptibility of intestinal epithelial cells.

Our Body Produces Free Radicals Itself!

To gain energy, our cells constantly consume oxygen. During the oxidation reactions that occur, free radicals are automatically generated, and the higher our energy demand, for example in stressful and illness situations or during exercise, the more there are.
Our immune system even produces them specifically to protect against diseases, as they not only attack healthy body cells but also destroy aggressive viruses and bacteria and can contain acute inflammatory processes. But: the amount matters. When too many harmful influences from the outside are added, the number of free radicals becomes too high, and our organism experiences oxidative stress. Additional burdens include, among others, chemicals and solvents, air pollution, artificial additives in food, residues from pesticides, harmful radiation, cigarette smoke, or alcohol, - and medication consumption.

Hemp for Skincare: Moisture, Protection Against Aging and Inflammation

Because besides vitamins E and C, many other vitamins and minerals abundantly present in this plant have antioxidant effects. The trace elements selenium, zinc, and iron fight against free radicals as components of enzymes, and with a variety of antioxidant phytochemicals such as pigments in flowers, leaves, and fruits, we benefit from natural substances that plants use to protect themselves against fungal and insect infestations and UV radiation!

Cannabidiol (CBD) in the Fight Against Oxidative Damage

Cannabidiol is an extremely powerful antioxidant with a 30-50% stronger effect than vitamins C and E. The World Health Organization (WHO) also highlights these positive properties of the cannabinoid in its Critical Review Report on cannabidiol. Therefore, CBD and permissible hemp extracts are increasingly used in cosmetics.

Sources:

Meidinger, Werner: Naturally Healing with Cannabis. Kopp Verlag; 2019
Simonsohn, Barbara: Hemp Oil and Hemp Seeds; Schirner Verlag; 2018
Campbell, S. et al.: “Development of gamma (gamma)-tocopherol as a colorectal cancer chemopreventive agent,” in: Crit Rev Oncol Hermatol. 2003 Sep; 47(3): 249-59, doi: 10.1016/s1040-8428(03)00042-8.
Hampson, A. J. et al.: “Cannabidiol and (-): D9-tetrahydrocannabidiol are neuroprotective antioxidants,” in: Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 1998, 95(14): 8268-8273; doi: 10.1073/pnas.95.14.8268.
WHO: Cannabidiol, Critical Review Report, Expert Committee on Drug Dependence, Fortieth Meeting. Geneva, 4-7 June 2018

Image source: © 2020 Tabea Walch