Hemp Therapies Wiki / Hemp Oil & Hemp Seed Oil

Hemp Oil Nutritional Profile

Hemp seed oil carries a distinct nutritional profile built around polyunsaturated fat, complete protein, and a naturally occurring omega-6-to-omega-3 fatty acid ratio.

Calories and Macronutrients

A three-tablespoon serving of hemp oil is reported to contain approximately 166 calories, 14.6 g total fat, 5 g carbohydrate, 9.5 g protein, 0 mg cholesterol, and around 1.5 g sodium. Hemp seed oil supplies all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete-protein source. Fat composition is predominantly polyunsaturated, with reported breakdowns ranging from roughly 70–90% polyunsaturated fat, 5–11% monounsaturated fat, and 5–7% saturated fat, depending on the source cited. Whole hemp seed, as distinct from the pressed oil, is reported to be composed of approximately 25–30% oil, 25–30% protein, 30–40% fiber, and 6–7% moisture, with meaningful variation across cultivars.

Essential Fatty Acids

Hemp oil contains both omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids, with an omega-6 to omega-3 ratio commonly reported at approximately 3:1. Reported fatty-acid breakdown includes linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) at roughly 50–70% of total fatty acid content, alpha-linolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid) at approximately 17%, gamma-linolenic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) at approximately 3%, and stearidonic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid) at approximately 2%. Saturated fatty acids present include approximately 5–9% palmitic acid and 2–3% stearic acid.

Gamma-Linolenic Acid

Hemp oil is a source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid, reported at approximately 0.5–6% of total fatty acid composition, depending on the source cited.

Vitamins, Minerals, and Amino Acids

Hemp oil is reported to contain vitamin C, calcium, iron (at approximately 17% of a daily reference value per serving), magnesium, and B vitamins, along with the amino acid arginine. Tocopherols, also known as vitamin E, are reported in hemp seed oil at approximately 76.4–92.1 mg per 100 g of oil.

Summary

Hemp seed oil’s nutritional profile centers on polyunsaturated fat, complete essential-amino-acid protein, and a roughly 3:1 omega-6-to-omega-3 ratio, alongside measurable vitamin E, vitamin C, and mineral content.