KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) positively impact human and animal health in a variety of systems, including the cardiovascular and neurological
• Essential fatty acids (EFAs) cannot be produced by animals and must be obtained through the diet
• Linoleic and alpha-linoleic acid (omega 6 and 3, respectively) are essential to the well being and enhanced health of both humans and companion animals
• This study concluded that hempseed oil has a content of over 80% in PUFAs and is exceptionally rich in omega 6 and 3
• The ratio of omega 6 to 3 in hemp seeds is the optimal one and the one associated with little heart disease prevalence
• The protein profile of hempseed oil is equally beneficial, containing some of the essential amino acids  
• The study proved that the claimed healing and therapeutic properties of hempseed oil are supported by its nutritious profile 
• Hempseed oil is an excellent source of nutrition and has been effectively demonstrated as an useful addition to animal diet 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Hypercholesterolemia (HC) is the presence of high levels of cholesterol; it’s a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases that, in turn, are the major cause of mortality
• In dogs, high cholesterol levels are rather common and underdiagnosed; it is uncommon for it to lead to heart diseases, but it does put pets at risk for a series of negative conditions
• Hypercholesterolemia in dogs may lead to: vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and distention, decreased appetite, anorexia, pancreatitis, fat deposit on the cornea or eye (which in turn lead to white patches on the surface of the eye, inflammation or even blindness), skin abnormalities (itching and hair loss) and seizure activity
• In cats, HC can cause cutaneous lesions and peripheral neuropathies (nerve disease)
• Hempseed is abundant in healthy fatty acids, proteins, fiber, vitamins and has an optimal ratio of omega 6:omega 3
• The study put into evidence the antioxidant capacity of hempseed
• The hempseed diet was able to decrease the levels of cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides and increase the HDL levels
• In regard to the ameliorative effect of hempseed on hypercholesterolemia, the hempseed diet was able to reduce the aorta thickness (cause by a high fat diet), indicating that hempseed administration prevents the development of atherosclerotic changes as indicated by lesser intimal damage, lipid deposition, and and lesion surface area
• Finally, hempseed demonstrated protection from certain pathological indicators of cardiovascular insults that were present in rats that were fed a high-fat diet
• The anti-hypercholesterolemic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of hempseed were well documented in the current study and it therefore proposes the therapeutic potential of hemp in HC-associated diseases

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are essential and extremely important for the well-being and healthy development of dogs
• Apart from its direct benefits, the presence of n-3 PUFA in the diet allows obtaining other benefits such as anti-inflammatory. 
• Linolenic (n-6) and α-linolenic (n-3) acid cannot be produced by dogs and are therefore fundamental in a dog’s diet
• The study showed that the hempseed cake supplement had a higher crude protein and fiber content than the compared animal lipid source 
• The hempseed supplement showed a healthier fatty acid profile, with a higher concentration of PUVA, linolenic and α-linolenic acid and in a ratio ideal for dogs’ health and optimal for reduction of certain diseases, like cancer and sudden cardiac death 
• After 1 month of diet supplementation with hempseed cake, dogs experienced a reduction in liver and renal markers 
• Improvement of other hematological parameters, such as cholesterol, after the hempseed diet, confirmed that the addition of hempseed cake is safe for dogs to consume