Pumpkin Seed Oil Review
Although olive and coconut oil tend to get all the attention, there’s been a greater amount of interest in Pumpkin Seed Oil over the past few years.
According to some research, Pumpkin Seed Oil may have several previously unknown benefits when taking orally.
Pumpkin Seed Oil Benefits
However, don’t just go and throw away your olive oil yet. Due to pumpkin seed oil’s fat composition, it cannot be cooked with. It can however be taken orally or added to salad dressings, which is how we recommend you use it.
So what exactly are the benefits of pumpkin seed oil?
Pumpkin Seed Oil and BPH
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition that causes the prostate gland to become enlarged, leading to urination problems and discomfort.
According to some research, beta-sitosterol, a type of phytosterol, blocks the production of a hormone known as dihydrotestosterone, which is the main cause of BPH. It also contains a steroid called delta-7-sterine, which essentially competes with DHT in the prostate and may help prevent prostate cell replication.
When used to treat BPH, pumpkin seed oil is said to reduce the pain and symptoms of BPH along with eliminating BPH all together.
Hair Loss and Pumpkin Seed Oil
Dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, is also the main cause of hair loss in men as well. Since pumpkin seed oil helps to suppress this hormone, it is also useful for treating hair loss in men.
Some research shows that pumpkin seed oil can slow – if not completely halt hair loss in men. This does depend on the severity of hair loss, but even men with the most severe cases of male pattern baldness saw an improvement.
While some men recommend adding pumpkin seed oil directly to the scalp, we recommend you drizzle it over a salad or simply take a spoonful.
Pumpkin Seed Oil and Heart Health
Pumpkin seed oil has several fatty acids and high levels of phytosterols, which are said to reduce LDL cholesterol by lowering the body’s ability to produce it. Other research not directly related to pumpkin seed oil has found that phytosterols can potentially reduce cholesterol and may help reduce the risk of heart disease.
There is no however no research on whether or not pumpkin seed oil affects blood pressure. The only published research shows minor improvements in cholesterol levels after taking pumpkin seed oil for a month and longer.
Arthritis Relief
Pumpkin seed oil is one of the most popular supplements used by those who suffer from arthritis. It is commonly used in conjunction with a prescription arthritis drug when the prescription drug just isn’t enough.
Some research even suggests that pumpkin seed oil has the same level of effectiveness as Indomethacin, one of the most popular arthritis medications.
Pumpkin seed oil provides arthritis relief because it contains several antioxidants, fatty acids, and other compounds that reduce inflammation in the joints and help to strengthen the joints. These compounds also help to reduce joint pain and may improve overall joint mobility.
Other Benefits
The benefits of pumpkin seed oil don’t stop there. Pumpkin seed oil may provide relief for those that suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It may also be useful to eliminate internal parasites, which can be a difficult problem to eliminate.
Other research suggests that pumpkin seed oil may help support healthy eyesight, ease the symptoms of osteoporosis, and may even treat kidney stone problems.
Pumpkin seed oil may not have the popularity or quite the effects of olive or coconut oil, but it’s certainly got its’ fair share of benefits. It may not be something to take every day, but pumpkin seed oil is certainly something to add to your arsenal of supplements and take when needed.
