![]() ![]() ![]() “Pumpkin seed oil may be beneficial for heart health due to its unique combination of nutrients, including antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and phytosterols,” she explains. Subjects who received a 1,000 milligram (mg) pumpkin seed oil supplement (in addition to a prescription for a healthy diet and lifestyle habits) experienced a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol and diastolic blood pressure, as well as an increase in HDL (aka “good”) cholesterol, compared with controls who received only healthy diet and lifestyle guidance.ĭraayer says the “why” behind these effects likely has to do with the oil’s unique nutritional matrix. A study published in July–September 2020 in SciELO Brazil, a medical journal out of Brazil, examined the effects of PSO supplementation on people with varying degrees of medical conditions that affect heart health, including dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Like its more well-known counterpart olive oil, pumpkin seed oil might support cardiovascular health. Pumpkin Seed Oil May Support Heart Health Additionally, the mechanisms behind how PSO affects hair growth are not yet fully understood.” Draayer encourages speaking with a board-certified dermatologist before trying pumpkin seed oil for hair growth. “Many of the trials have small sample sizes and lack diversity in their participants. “It's important to note that the studies on PSO for hair loss have some limitations,” Drayer says. Still, the oil might not be a magic bullet for full, flowing tresses. The study’s authors concluded that pumpkin seed oil had a promising role to play in treating female-pattern hair loss. After three months of treatment, both groups had improved measures of hair shaft diversity. A study published in September 2021 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology compared the efficacy of pumpkin seed oil with minoxidil 5 percent topical foam, a medication used to treat hair loss, in women with female-pattern hair loss. Other research has examined the oil’s effects on women. The group administered PSO saw a significant increase in hair count compared with the placebo group. Draayer points to one study wherein 76 men with mild-to-moderate androgenetic alopecia, which is a common form of hair loss, took PSO supplements or a placebo daily for 24 weeks. Several studies have investigated the effects of the oil on hair loss. “PSO is rich in nutrients like fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.” Theoretically, these may support hair growth and health, though research proving those results is limited. “There is potential for pumpkin seed oil (PSO) to be an effective treatment for hair loss,” says Kristin Draayer, RDN, of Nutrition by Kristin in Kalamazoo, Michigan. ![]() The internet is awash with claims that a daily dose of pumpkin seed oil will help you grow (or regrow) a lush head of hair - but is the hype justified? Some experts are hopeful. ![]() “You can also use it in marinades, sauces, or dressings.”Īlthough quality research is lacking, here are five possible health perks of pumpkin seed oil that researchers are investigating. “You can drizzle pumpkin seed oil on salads, pasta dishes, bread, or any other items where you'd typically use another oil,” says Amy Brownstein, RDN, of Nutrition Digested in Oakland, California. And, if you’re on TikTok, you might be familiar with its most on-trend purported use: treating hair loss.Īlthough pumpkin seed oil is often sold in supplement form (such as in capsules or serums), it’s also a versatile cooking oil. Its phytoestrogens may also help hormone-related issues like menopause symptoms and prostate enlargement. Like many plant-based oils, pumpkin seed oil contains unsaturated fats that may promote heart health, as well as antioxidants that could tame inflammation and reduce the risk of various chronic diseases. Pumpkin seed oil, also called pepita oil, is made by heat- or cold-pressing the oils out of pumpkin seeds, typically those from Styrian pumpkins native to central Europe. The truth is that certain seed oils - such as pumpkin seed oil - are associated with numerous potential health benefits, as Harvard University and Consumer Reports note. There isn’t solid research to support that notion, though. In recent years, seed oils have received some unpopular attention on social media, with naysayers arguing that consuming any oil from seeds can worsen health. ![]()
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