

Long used as a folk medicine for prostate health, research has shown that pumpkin seed oil can help to reduce the size of an enlarged prostate, especially in the instance of benign prostatic hyperplasia (age-related prostate enlargement). It has been known to protect against prostate cancer, but it’s also great for prostate health in general.

Perhaps the most well-documented aid of pumpkin seed oil for health is its vast effectiveness on maintaining a healthy prostate. A research study published in the Indian Journal of Biochemistry & Biophysics reveals that pumpkin seed oil’s antioxidant properties create a filter for radiation and protect against or prevent small intestinal damage from methotrexate, a treatment for several types of cancer and also rheumatoid arthritis. ( 7)įor those currently being treated for cancer, pumpkin seed oil may also be an answer to common problems. The future is promising for men as well as women - pumpkin seeds may also reduce or inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells. ( 5) Additional research from the University of Rostock’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Germany has found the nutritional value of pumpkin seeds to possibly prevent and treat breast cancer. Pumpkin seeds are one vegetable seed proven to help reduce the risk of breast cancer in post-menopausal women. You read that right! While there is no “cure” for cancer, pumpkin seed oil has been proven in several studies to support the health of cancer patients and/or a reduced risk of cancer. If you’re seeking to live a disease-free life, introducing anti-inflammatory foods and supplements into your diet is one of the key actions you need to take. In fact, a research study in 2015 found that replacing cocoa butter with pumpkin seed oil in the diet of people suffering from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the walls of the arteries) reduced the effects of these diseases on test subjects. Replacing saturated fats with healthy, unsaturated fats makes a deep impact on the amount of inflammation in your body. What is pumpkin seed oil used for? You’re about to find out the many uses and benefits of pumpkin seed oil. Research shows that the oil extracted from pumpkin seeds using cold pressure is “an important source of many healthy components such as antioxidant and antimicrobial agents.” ( 3) Refined oils are made using heat and chemicals and consequently produce less nutritious and healthy final products. The cold-pressed method of extraction is preferable because it allows the oil to retain its beneficial antioxidants that would be lost or damaged due to heat exposure. You want to choose an oil that has been cold-pressed, which means the oil has been extracted out of the pumpkin seeds using pressure rather than heat. The process of extracting pumpkin seed oil can be done more than one way. One is Cucurbita pepo, and the other is Cucurbita maxima. There are two main types of pumpkins from which the oil is obtained, both of the Cucurbita plant genus. Pumpkin seed oil, also called pepita oil, is the oil extracted from the seeds of a pumpkin. In addition to that well-known use, research has shown benefits for people struggling with hair loss, diabetes and even cancer. Thanks to its high content of carotenoids and liposoluble vitamins, pumpkin seed oil has long been considered an ingredient appropriate for illness prevention, especially for prostate diseases. When the oil from these little seeds is extracted just right (not refined), the possibilities are virtually endless!

Packed with tryptophan, unsaturated fatty acids and a high level of antioxidative substances, this silent champion provides a long list of benefits to both men and women. The thought of pumpkins may have you itching for fall, lattes and pie, but you’re about to find out that pumpkin isn’t just for autumn anymore - if you want to fight disease all year long, that is! In fact, p umpkin seed oil is a handy ingredient to keep around and use on a daily basis to improve your metabolic and physiological health, similar to benefit-rich black seed oil.
