Hailed as one of the most nutritional oils on the planet, pumpkin seed oil, also known as pepita oil, is used to treat everything from blurry eyes and hair loss, to overactive bladder, prostate problems and lackluster skin.
Taken as a liquid, or in therapeutic capsule format, pumpkin seed oil is a delicate oil, extracted from pumpkin seeds, also called cucurbita maxima. From being light to dark green to orange-red in color, this nutty flavored oil needs to be stored in a cool, dry place, and is best used raw to preserve all of its nutritional benefits. Highly popular in Austria and Slovenia, Styrian pumpkin seed oil is still the most widely distributed oil world-wide.
Super rich in essential fatty acids and a host of other nutrients, in this post we'll discover why pumpkin seed oil, also famously known as "green gold" is used for internal and external healing the world over.
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Nutritional Properties of Pumpkin Seed Oil
With just the right mix of Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids, a host of vitamins, tryptophan, zinc, rich antioxidants and other potent nutrients, pumpkin seed oil packs a powerhouse of nutritional properties.
Containing an important amino acid called tryptophan, along with its high volume of fatty acids and antioxidants, pumpkin oil provides many helpful healing properties to both men and women. Due to its high carotenoids content, pumpkin seed oil is considered as an excellent oil for disease prevention and can help curb hair loss, protect skin and even potentially prevent cancer.
Also one important point to note is that although the pumpkin fruit and it's seeds contain carbohydrates, the oil contains none, making pumpkin oil carb-free, with a glycemic index (GI) of zero.
Why Good Fats are Essential
Wondering how supplementing with a fat-filled capsule will help promote your health?
For this we need to take a closer look at the fats in pumpkin seed oil. A large percentage of the fats in pumpkin seed oil belong to a group called polyunsaturated fats, the kind of fats you'll find in fatty fish, seeds, nuts, plant-based oils and seed oils.
Known as 'good fats,' polyunsaturated fats are essential to the body for absorbing vitamins and providing critical nutrients for your body to function properly.
Two main types of polyunsaturated fats are the essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6. These essential fats play a vital role in brain function, cell rejuvenation, anti-inflammatory activity and more.
But why are these fats especially important?
The body is able to produce all the fatty acids it needs, except for: linoleic acid (omega-6 fatty acid), and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3 fatty acid).
Since your body cannot produce these essential fatty acids, you have to find ways of incorporating them in your diet.
One feature that makes pumpkin seed oil stand out is that it is made up of over 50% linoleic acid (omega-6 fatty acid), and some amount of monounsaturated fats which help promote HDL, or good cholesterol levels.
When substituted for saturated fats, research has shown that both poly and monounsaturated fats can help to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and prevent heart disease, diabetes and even certain types of cancer.
Benefits of Pumpkin Seed Oil
Since pumpkin seed oil is brimming with rich antioxidants, essential fatty acids, vitamins, antioxidants and trace minerals, making the oil part of your daily diet and supplementing with it provides amazing health benefits.
Below we'll take a closer look at some of the incredible health benefits of pumpkin seed oil:
1. Pumpkin Seed Oil for Prostate Health
Perhaps the most well-researched benefits of pumpkin seed oil is its ability to support prostate health. In fact the oil was "commonly used in folk medicine for treatment of prostatic hypertrophy," better known as age-related prostate enlargement.
There are several research studies supporting pumpkin seed oil's effectiveness to combat prostate enlargement and improve urination frequency and difficulty. One of the reasons for this is partly due to the zinc content in the oil which benefits the prostate, as the prostate holds the highest concentrations of zinc found in the body.
In a 2011 lab study, the oil showed positive results in decreasing the size of an enlarged prostate, medically known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), in Wistar rats. BPH is a common age-related condition where the prostate enlarges causing pain and difficulty urinating.
Research coming out of Hungary documented that when thirty patients with age-related prostate enlargement or BPH were administered pumpkin seed oil for 8 weeks, nighttime urination improved by 66% and difficulty urinating improved by 86%. In about a third, or 33%, of patients prostate size also reduced.
If you or someone you know has problems with their prostate, pumpkin seed oil supplementation can be a highly effective and safe alternative treatment to help improve one's quality of life.
2. Pumpkin Seed Oil for Menopause
Want to find relief from menopausal symptoms?
Naturally high in phytoestrogens, or plant oestrogens, pumpkin seed oil has shown to be effective for perimenopausal or postmenopausal women.
A 2011 pilot study showed promising results in 35 postmenopausal women administered with 2g/day of pumpkin seed oil for 12 weeks. The study revealed "a significant improvement in the menopausal symptom scores," including "a decrease in severity of hot flushes, less headaches and less joint pains." Women taking the oil also showed a significant increase in their 'good' cholesterol levels (HDL), along with lower blood pressure levels.
The study concluded that "pumpkin seed oil had some benefits for postmenopausal women and provided strong evidence to support further studies."
A 2013 study highlighted that the oil's phytoestrogens and "pumpkin seed's lignans" may actually play a role in "breast cancer prevention and/or treatment."
If you suffer from menopause related hot flashes, headaches and joint pain, adding pumpkin seed oil to your daily regimen may help to control symptoms.
3. Pumpkin Seed Oil for an Overactive Bladder
Are you struggling with an urgency to go to the bathroom?
When it comes to having an overactive bladder, pumpkin seed oil can help.
Pumpkin seed oil has shown to be highly effective for relieving issues of the urinary tract.
In a 2014 study, 45 participants with urinary disorder in human overactive bladder (OAB), were administered orally with 1000mg of pumpkin seed oil per day for 3 months. Urinary function was evaluated halfway through and at the completion of the study. Participants experienced a considerable improvement in their bladder symptoms as well as nighttime bedwetting.
The study concluded that "pumpkin seed oil extracts from C. maxima as well as from C. pepo are effective for urinary disorders such as OAB in humans."
Previous clinical trials involving 2000+ male subjects with benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH), have shown that pumpkin seed oil "significantly improved their urinary dysfunction."
As we age, pumpkin seed oil can be a natural solution for treating urinary issues and controlling an overactive bladder.
4. Pumpkin Seed Oil for Eyes
Want to improve your vision naturally?
Resembling the natural shape of eyes, pumpkin seeds can help to protect them as well!
Cold-pressed pumpkin seed oil contains a high concentration of zeaxanthin, a carotenoid that can help protect eyes from UV rays and blue light.
Carotenoids are what gives pumpkins their warm, orange hue and help to strengthen and protect vision.
In fact research shows that carotenoids can help to protect against a variety of conditions including "cardiovascular diseases, several types of cancer or neurological, as well as photosensitive or eye-related disorders."
Zeaxanthin in pumpkin seed oil acts as a powerful antioxidant, and may actually help to prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition that affects your visual acuity as you age, causing blurred vision, failure to see in dim light or even partial or complete vision loss.
Research shows that, "dietary antioxidants and anti-inflammatories may provide benefit in decreasing the risk of age-related eye disease." Pumpkin seed oil supplements are a concentrated source of all the beneficial vitamins found in the seeds, such as vitamins A and C, as well as powerful antioxidants and minerals that can be highly beneficial in improving vision.
5. Pumpkin Seed Oil for Skin
Adding pumpkin seed oil to your diet is not just great for making you feel good on the inside, but is also excellent for making you look good on the outside!
Rich in zinc, vitamin E, omegas 3 and 6 fatty acids and antioxidants, pumpkin seed oil is excellent for combating free radicals, improving skin tone, and giving your skin a youthful, glowing appearance.
Its high essential fatty acid content helps to hydrate and deeply moisturize skin, and its zinc content helps to boost immune function, leading to fewer breakouts and improved acne control.
Due to its high concentrations of Vitamin E and carotenoids like beta-carotene, and being "especially rich in antioxidants " pumpkin seed oil also helps to reduce the signs of aging and protect the skin from damage. Being a natural anti-inflammatory it can also help with skin conditions like eczema, dry skin and psoriasis.
6. Pumpkin Seed Oil for Hair
Suffer from hair loss, or thin, lifeless hair?
Several studies have shown that pumpkin seed oil is excellent for treating hair loss in men and also equally good for both men and women looking to strengthen their hair and enjoy thicker, fuller hair growth.
Loaded with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and vitamins A, E and K, it's no surprise that pumpkin seed oil helps to combat hair loss. Since the oil also contains high levels of zinc, which is essential for cell growth, repair and protein synthesis, supplementing naturally with zinc can help reduce hair shedding, without any added side effects.
A 2014 study showed amazing results for men with androgenetic alopecia, better known as male-pattern hair loss. Seventy-six men were administered 400mg of either pumpkin seed oil (PSO) or a placebo for 6 months. At the end of the study those who consumed PSO reported hair growth by an average of 40%, with no side effects.
Since the oil is also known to block the action of an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, which slows down hair growth, by incorporating pumpkin seed oil in your diet you can potentially control hair loss and enjoy thicker, more voluminous hair.
7. Pumpkin Seed Oil for Inflammation
Research has constantly shown that inflammation is the root cause of many illnesses. Introducing natural anti-inflammatory supplements or food into your daily diet is a great way to help the body fight inflammation and prevent disease.
One of the first steps to combat inflammation is to reduce the consumption of unhealthy saturated fats and replace with healthier unsaturated fats.
A 2015 research study discovered that when participants suffering from arterial plaque build-up (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) replaced cocoa butter with pumpkin seed oil the "phytochemical-rich virgin pumpkin seed oil exerts additional anti-inflammatory effects resulting in more pronounced health effects."
Pumpkin seed oil has also shown promise in treating arthritis, a painful condition that causes inflammation and stiffness of the joints. In fact another study documented that the oil was actually "safer and more effective" than anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat arthritis.
For anyone looking to reduce inflammation and prevent disease, pumpkin seed oil is an excellent supplement to add to your diet.
8. Pumpkin Seed Oil for Heart and Liver Health
As discussed earlier, pumpkin seed oil is a "good" form of fat", and can actually promote cardiovascular health and support the liver.
Apart from its high content of essential fatty acids, it's also an excellent anti-inflammatory, rich in antioxidants and phytoestrogens, which are known to support heart and liver health and increase high-density lipoproteins or HDL, the 'good' cholesterol responsible for removing bad cholesterol from the body. This was demonstrated on postmenopausal women who experienced a significant increase in HDL levels after being administered with the oil for 3 months.
A 2015 lab study conducted on mice demonstrated that the "phytochemical-rich" properties of pumpkin seed oil were not only an effective anti-inflammatory but also assisted in lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.
Another study revealed that through a mechanism that generates nitric oxide, "pumpkin seed oil exhibits an antihypertensive and cardioprotective effects," which means it can potentially help protect from heart disease and heart attacks.
9. Pumpkin Seed Oil for Diabetes
Did you know that the prevalence of people with diabetes will go up from 117 million in the year 2000 to a whopping 366 million by the year 2030?
This will not only adversely affect individuals, families, and workplaces but will place a tremendous burden on the health and financial systems of nations worldwide.
With the right diet and supplementation both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can be well-controlled.
Pumpkins are brimming with "biologically active ingredients," such as, "polysaccharides, para-aminobenzoic acid, fixed oils, sterol, proteins, and peptides."
Compounds found in both the pulp and seeds have shown to have hypoglycemic properties, and aid in "maintaining glycemic control," meaning they help to control blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.
Lead researchers of a study coming out of Shanghai, China suggest that pumpkin extract can be beneficial to those who are pre-diabetic or already have diabetes, as it helps to regenerate pancreatic cells in diabetic rats, elevating insulin levels. The research suggests that treatment using the extract could significantly reduce the need for insulin injections.
This study is supported by a Japanese study that discovered that pumpkin paste concentrate could help glucose tolerance and improve resistance to insulin.
All of this extensive research confirms that pumpkin seed oil could be highly effective in controlling blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, and should be a valuable addition in the daily diet of any diabetic patient.
10. Pumpkin Seed Oil for Cancer
For those presently being treated for cancer, pumpkin seed oil offers hope. Several studies have shown the oil's ability to support or reduce cancer risk.
Research shows that extracts from pumpkin seeds have "demonstrated radical scavenging activity," with the higher the phenolic content (level of antioxidants), the stronger the activity.
Antioxidants are known to protect cells from damaging free radicals, which are also attributed to increasing cancer risk. Pumpkin seed extract's ability to scavenge radicals, makes it a powerful contender in treating and reducing the risk of cancer.
For women, consumption of pumpkin seeds has also shown promise in "reduced postmenopausal breast cancer risk," and the phytoestrogen content in pumpkin seed extract could contribute towards "breast cancer prevention and/or treatment."
There's also hope for men as well. Pumpkin seed extract may inhibit the growth of cells that cause prostate cancer and is safe and recommended for treating prostate issues such as benign prostate hyperplasia.
11. Pumpkin Seed Oil for Depression and Anxiety
Pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed oil have long been known to boost mood and alleviate the symptoms of depression. Also, those who suffer from mental health issues commonly have certain nutritional deficiencies such as a lack of essential fatty acids, amino acids, and certain vitamins and minerals.
Amino acids such as tryptophan, are the precursors for neurotransmitters such as serotonin, the "feel good" hormone important for regulating mood. On its own serotonin does not cross the blood-brain barrier, however tryptophan does, which is found in proteins, but competes with other amino acids for absorption.
Consuming foods "that have a high tryptophan to total protein ratio," such as pumpkin seeds are excellent for boosting serotonin levels and improving the symptoms of depression.
Research has shown that participants suffering from social phobia, who consumed pumpkin seeds showed "significant improvement" in their anxiety levels.
Another ground-breaking animal study concluded that "natural medicines" such as pumpkin seeds have almost no side effects and could help to reduce depression with results "similar to that of standard drugs."
These studies are excellent validation that pumpkin seed oil is great for alleviating depression and anxiety symptoms.
12. Pumpkin Seed Oil for Sleep
Being a rich source of the amino acid, tryptophan, which is converted to serotonin and then to the sleep hormone, melatonin, studies have shown that pumpkin sleep oil can help with sleep problems and treat insomnia.
Pumpkin seeds are also rich in magnesium, a mineral lacking in many Western diets, and associated with better sleep quality.
Pumpkin seed oil supplements contain tryptophan to produce both serotonin for boosting mood and melatonin for improving sleep, and are great for anyone wanting to feel good and improve their sleep habits.
13. Pumpkin Seed Oil for Gastrointestinal Issues
Pumpkin seed oil may be beneficial in helping treat issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition that affects the colon or large intestine, causing bloating, abdominal pain, and a change in bowel habits including diarrhea and constipation.
This could be due to its high content of essential fatty acids, omegas 3 and 6 ,which help to reduce inflammation of the GI tract.
These fatty acids also help to soothe the gastrointestinal tract and enable better absorption of nutrition from food.
Pumpkin seed oil is also known to help eliminate intestinal worms and parasites, and has shown to be effective against tapeworm attacks, for which it is often recommended as it has no adverse effects.
14. Pumpkin Seed Oil for Bone Health
Pumpkin seed oil has over 50% linoleic acid (omega-6 fatty acid), an essential fatty acid with excellent anti-inflammatory properties that supports bone health.
Research shows that polyunsaturated fatty acids such as omega-6 fatty acids "help stimulate skin and hair growth, maintain bone health, regulate metabolism, and maintain the reproductive system."
Since your body cannot produce these essential fatty acids, you must get them through food or a therapeutic grade pumpkin seed oil supplement.
Pumpkin seed oil also contains vitamins A and K and minerals such as magnesium which help to strengthen bones and teeth, and increase bone density.
This can potentially prevent osteoporosis, bone loss during post menopause and also lessen the chance of fractures as we age.
15. Pumpkin Seed Oil for Libido
Yes, you heard that right!
Pumpkin seed oil is brimming with zinc and potent vitamins such as Vitamins B, C, D, E and K that are great for boosting libido for both men and women.
Similar to oysters being known to naturally increase libido due to their high zinc content, pumpkin seed oil contains zinc along with essential fatty acids, which act as precursors to prostaglandins, hormones believed to improve sexual health.
For men, zinc helps to increase testosterone levels which is important for elevating their sex drive. Zinc is also helpful to women as it blocks the enzyme that transforms testosterone to estrogen, leading to greater sex drive.
How to Choose Pumpkin Seed Oil Supplements
What are the key factors to consider when buying pumpkin seed oil supplements?
Not all pumpkin seed oil supplements are created equal. Preserving the integrity of the seed is essential to lock in all the nutrients to reap its amazing health benefits.
It all starts by the way the oil is extracted. At GoodLifeProvision we use only the best cold-pressed pumpkin seed oil (never refined!), derived from hand-selected pumpkin seeds and made in the USA.
Cold-pressed means to use pressure to extract the oil and is the BEST way to retrieve the delicate oil, unlike heat extraction which causes precious nutrients and antioxidants to be damaged and lost due to being exposed to heat in the extraction process.
Top reasons to choose GoodLifeProvision pumpkin seed oil include:
- Cold-pressed - locks in nutrients and antioxidants
- 100% pure - no added additives
- Suitable for men & women
- Non-GMO, Gluten-Free
- Lab-tested, Safety Sealed
- GMP-quality certified facility
- Made in the USA
- 1000mg Formula = 1 Month Supply
- Fanatical One-on-One Support!
Our pumpkin seed oil supplements are the REAL DEAL. Order now!
Key Takeaways
- Extracted from pumpkin seeds, pumpkin seed oil is a nutty, delicate oil that can heal from the inside out
- Brimming with essential fatty acids, the oil is made up of over 50% omega-6 fatty acid that you can only get from your diet or supplementation
- The oil is excellent for treating age-related prostate enlargement, overactive bladder and menopausal issues
- With a high concentration of zeaxanthin, pumpkin seed oil helps protect the eyes from UV rays and blue light
- Rich in free radical fighting antioxidants, the oil helps improve skin tone, alleviates hair loss, and can even reduce the risk of cancer
- Full of essential vitamins and minerals such as zinc and magensium, pumpkin seed oil helps protect the heart and liver and can help control diabetes
- Known as a mood booster, the oil is great for depression, anxiety and sleep issues
- Choosing cold-pressed pumpkin oil supplements ensures critical antioxidants and nutrients are locked in and not lost in the extraction process
Can/Should this product be taken with Omega-3 Fish Oil (1200mg capsules)?
Hi Pat,
unfortunately, it’s not a vegetarian option, but you can find vegetarian options on our website which make a great impact on eyesight as well, please have a look at resveratrol for example https://goodlifeprovision.com/products/resveratrol_transparent.
There are a few more options like spirulina and chlorella which are essential for daily detox. You can learn more about the importance of detox for eyesight here https://goodlifeprovision.com/pages/detoxification-process
Let me know if any questions at support@goodlifeprovision.com :)
Take care,
Kate
Can you take this along with krill oul
Is the capsule made from animal
Hi Elvira, you can take a look here:
https://goodlifeprovision.com/products/pumpkin-seed-oil
Write us a message if any questions, we are here to help!