INFECTIOUS DISEASES - Blackherbals.com

Continued from page 17 – Hemp SeedHemp is not unique in having all the essential aminoacids in its embryonic seed. Flax seeds also contain allthe essential amino acids as do many other seeds in theplant kingdom. What is unique about hemp seed proteinis that 65% of it is globulin edistin. That is the highestin the plant kingdom.Globulins are one of seven classes of simple proteins.Simple proteins are constructed from amino acids andcontain no non-protein substances. Globulins are inseeds and animal blood. Edistins are found in seeds;serum globulin is in blood. Edistins are plant globulins.And globulins along with albumins are classified asglobular proteins. All enzymes, antibodies, manyhormones, hemoglobin and fibrogin (the body convertsfibrogin into non-soluble, fibrin, a blood clotting agent)are globular proteins. They carry out the main work ofliving.Albumin, globulin and fibrogin are the three majortypes of plasma proteins. Plasma is the fluid portion ofblood that supplies nutrients to tissues. And the threeprotein types: serum albumin, serum globulin andfibrogin, compose about 80% of plasma solids. Theseplasma proteins serve as a reservoir of rapidly availableamino acids should any body tissues be in need.Plant seeds contain albumin and globulin but nofibrogin. Albumin is the nutritive material that fills thespace in the seed between the embryo and the seedcoat. The embryo needs albumin to fuel its initialgrowth until photosynthesis begins. Globulin edistinswithin the embryo guarantee this new life has theenzymes necessary for metabolic activity.Globulin is the third most abundant protein in thehuman body. Globulins perform many enzymatic(causing reactions to take place) functions within theplasma itself. More importantly, they are responsiblefor both the natural and acquired immunity a person hasagainst invading organisms. The body uses globulinproteins to make antibodies which attack infectingagents (antigens) that invade the body. Globulins likegamma globulin are absolutely essential to maintain ahealthy immune system. They neutralize alienmicroorganisms and toxins.Globulins are divided into three classes: alpha, beta andgamma globulins. Alpha and beta globulins operate astransport vehicles by combining with other substancesand carry protein from one part of the body to another.They haul the materials needed to build new andreplace worn or damaged bodily structures. Gammaglobulins are divided into five classes of antibodiescalled immunoglobulins. All are formed to combatspecific cell invading antigens. They comprise thebody's first line of defense against disease and infection.Immunoglobulins are produced by B lymphocyte (whiteblood cells) plasma cell clones located in lymph systemnodes. Infecting antigens normally must pass through thelymph system before entering the blood stream.Regarding human protein requirement: "Qualitively, it isconsidered desirable to secure amino acids similar to thoseof human tissues, both as to kinds and relative quantities ofthe various kinds." [Textbook of Anatomy and Physiology,Kimber, Gray, Stackpole, 1943]During digestion proteins in food are broken down intoamino acids. The amino acids are then taken into the bodyand reassembled into human proteins according to need andthe availability of the amino acids necessary to makespecific proteins.The body needs the necessary kinds of amino acids insufficient quantity in order to make proteins such as theglobulins. Proper quantities of the right kinds may not beavailable to the body much of the time. So even though thebody has enough essential amino acids available to preventdeficiency diseases, it may not have enough to buildquantities of immunoglobulins necessary for the immunesystem to repel infection.The best way to insure the body has enough amino acidmaterial to make the globulins is to eat foods high inglobulin proteins. Since hemp seed protein is 65% globulinedistin, and also includes quantities of albumin, its proteinis readily available in a form quite similar to that found inblood plasma. Eating hemp seeds gives the body all theessential amino acids required to maintain health, andprovides the necessary kinds and amounts of amino acidsthe body needs to make human serum albumin and serumglobulins like the immune enhancing gamma globulins.Eating hemp seeds could aid, if not heal, people sufferingfrom immune deficiency diseases. This conclusion issupported by the fact that hemp seed was used to treatnutritional deficiencies brought on by tuberculosis, a severenutrition blocking disease that causes the body to wasteaway. [Czechoslovakia Tubercular Nutritional Study, 1955]ANTIBODIESAntibodies are globulin proteins programmed to destroyantigens (any substance eliciting a response fromlymphocytes: bacteria, viruses, toxins, living and deadtissue, internal debris, etc.). Circulating in blood plasmalike mines floating in a harbor antibodies await contact withthe enemy, then initiate a cascade of corrosive enzymes thatbore holes in the antigen surface causing it to break apart.Antibodies are custom designed to neutralize or disintegrateone specific type of antigen. White blood cells called B celllymphocytes seek out and lock-on to antigenic proteins or-18- Traditional African Clinic December 2006Continued on page 19