A powerful antioxidant that is often overlooked or forgotten is Pumpkin seed oil. The benefits of Pumpkin seed oil are amazing. Pumpkin Seed oil is cold pressed from pumpkin seeds and offers a variety of uses from culinary and cosmetic to the ability to heal wounds and help with hair growth. Pumpkin seeds are high in antioxidants and are said to boost moods and fight off depression. The list of benefits from consuming or using pumpkin seed oil are quite impressive.
Skin and Hair benefits:
Pumpkin Seed oil has been linked to an increase in hair growth, especially for men. A study published in 2014 on a group of men suffering from mild to moderate androgenetic alopecia was given 400 mg a day and showed positive hair growth after 24 weeks. Pumpkin seed oil is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and zinc which are all essential nutrients for healthy hair growth. Omega-3 fatty acids help to nourish the scalp and hair follicles, keeping them healthy and promoting hair growth. magnesium strengthens the hair shaft and prevents breakage and Zinc helps to keep the scalp healthy and promotes hair growth.
Effects on Heart Health:
Pumpkin Seed Oil is a unsaturated fat which is really good for your heart. It combats risk factors for heart disease by lowering cholesterol and reducing blood pressure. Anti-inflammatory properties were also observed when studied.
Urinary Health:
In a study done on people with Human Overactive Bladder Syndrome published in 2014, forty-five subjects were given an extract of pumpkin seed oil from C. maxima (10 g of oil/day) orally for 12 weeks. After 6 and 12 weeks urinary function was evaluated and found that Pumpkin seed oil from C. maxima significantly reduced the degree of Overactive Bladder Syndrome. The results from our study suggest that pumpkin seed oil extracts from C. maxima as well as from C. pepo are effective for urinary disorders such as overactive Bladder in humans.
Other Benefits:
Pumpkin seed oil has also been shown to improve prostate health, mental health, and relieve some of the symptoms of menopause.
How to use:
There are a number of different ways you can add Pumpkin seed oil to your daily regimen. You can get it in capsule or liquid form. Most studies had the subjects taking it twice a day but it is best to check the directions on the bottle because the mg varies for different products. Of course, you can always just eat pumpkin seeds as well. However, the liquid or capsule forms are more concentrated so you are able to take the right amount needed to show positive results. You can also put the oil directly on your scalp and leave it on for 12-24 hours with NO cap or covering to allow the oil to breathe.
Here are some links to products:
Liquid form: https://amzn.to/40X5P5d
Capsule form: https://amzn.to/3XfxcEd
Conclusion:
Pumpkin seed oil is a powerful antioxidant that can help with many different ailments. It is a natural alternative that has been proven to be highly effective. It is always best to follow the directions on the bottle and speak to your healthcare professional if you have any underlying medical issues.
Sources:
Cho, Young Hye, et al. “Effect of Pumpkin Seed Oil on Hair Growth in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : ECAM, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2014, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4017725/.
Nishimura, Mie, et al. “Pumpkin Seed Oil Extracted from Cucurbita Maxima Improves Urinary Disorder in Human Overactive Bladder.” Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Jan. 2014, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4032845/.
“Pumpkin Seed Oil: Is It Good for You? Pros, Cons, Nutrition, and More.” WebMD, WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/diet/pumpkin-seed-oil-good-for-you#:~:text=Pumpkin%20seed%20oil%20can%20improve,to%20saturated%20and%20trans%20fats. “Six Benefits of Pumpkin Seed Oil for Hair.” Harley Street HTC, 22 Jan. 2023, https://www.harleystreethairtransplant.co.uk/six-benefits-of-pumpkin-seed-oil-for-hair/#:~:text=Pumpkin%20seed%20oil%20is%20rich,hair%20shaft%20and%20prevents%20breakage.
“Six Benefits of Pumpkin Seed Oil for Hair.” Harley Street HTC, 22 Jan. 2023, https://www.harleystreethairtransplant.co.uk/six-benefits-of-pumpkin-seed-oil-for-hair/#:~:text=Pumpkin%20seed%20oil%20is%20rich,hair%20shaft%20and%20prevents%20breakage.
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