Pumpkin seeds oil

The sum of myristic and palmitic acid (cholesterogenic saturated fatty acids) content ranged from 12.8 to 18.7%. The total unsaturated acid content ranged from 73.1 to 80.5%. The very long chain fatty acid (> 18 carbon atoms) content ranged from 0.44 to 1.37%.

Pumpkin Seed Oil Nutrition

One cup of unsalted pumpkin seeds nutrition contains (7):

11.9 grams protein
11.8 grams dietary fiber
6.6 milligrams zinc (44 percent DV)
168 milligrams magnesium (42 percent DV)
588 milligrams potassium (16.8 percent DV)
52.1 milligrams iron (11.7 percent DV)
9 milligrams phosphorus (5.9 percent DV)
35 milligrams calcium (3.5 percent DV)

Health Benefits of Pumpkin

Heart Health
You may know that saturated fats aren’t good for healthy hearts. But it can still be confusing to know which fats are OK to eat. Pumpkin seed oil is actually an unsaturated fat, meaning it’s the “good” kind of fat. Unsaturated fats like pumpkin seed oil can actually promote a healthy heart.

One animal study found that pumpkin seed oil not only helped lower cholesterol, but it also had anti-inflammatory effects. The oil has also been shown to lower blood pressure in mice.

Eye Health

Alongside its beneficial fatty acids and other antioxidants, cold pressed pumpkin seed oil usually contains high levels zeaxanthin.

Zeaxanthin is a antioxidant carotenoid that has been shown to protect our eye’s retina from both UV and blue light damage. Because of this, it may help reduce the risk of macular degeneration, a very common problem for older people, and improve visual acuity in general.

Cures Prostate Problems

In certain instances, pumpkin seed oil may be a natural treatment for specific prostate problems when used in conjunction with conventional medicine. Elise Marie Collins, author of “An A-Z Guide to Healing Foods,” notes that studies indicate pumpkin seed oil relieves various symptoms of benign prostate enlargement. Also called BPH or benign prostatic hyperplasia, enlarged prostates generally develop as men age and may lead to problems such as repeated urinary tract infections and bladder stones, according to the Mayo Clinic, so don’t attempt to treat this potentially serious condition solely with pumpkin seed oil. Talk to your doctor about using pumpkin seed oil alone or in combination with other natural remedies, such as saw palmetto, for relieving certain symptoms of BPH.

ANTI-PARASITIC

Cucurbitin is an amino acid that has shown anti-parasitic activity in vitro. Human studies conducted in China have shown pumpkin seeds to be helpful for people with acute schistosomiasis, a severe parasitic disease occurring primarily in Asia and Africa that is transmitted through snails. Preliminary human research conducted in China and Russia has shown pumpkin seeds can assist with resolving tapeworm infestations.

Mineral Support

Plants that have a close relationship to the soil are often special sources of mineral nutrients, and pumpkin (and their seeds) are no exception. Our food rating process found pumpkin seeds to be a very good source of the minerals phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and copper and a good source of the minerals zinc and iron.

Pumpkin seeds have long been valued as a special source of the mineral zinc, and the World Health Organization recommends their consumption as a good way of obtaining this nutrient. To get full zinc benefits from your pumpkin seeds, you may want to consume them in unshelled form. Although recent studies have shown there to be little zinc in the shell itself (the shell is also called the seed coat or husk), there is a very thin layer directly beneath the shell called the endosperm envelope, and it is often pressed up very tightly against the seed coat. Zinc is especially concentrated in this endosperm envelope. Because it can be tricky to separate the endosperm envelope from the shell, eating the entire pumpkin seed—shell and all—will ensure that all zinc-containing portions of the seed get consumed. Whole roasted, unshelled pumpkin seeds contain about 10 milligrams of zinc per 3.5 ounces, and shelled roasted pumpkin seeds (sometimes called pumpkin seed kernels) contain about 7-8 milligrams. So even though the difference is not huge, and even though the kernels still remain a good source of zinc, the unshelled version of this food is going to provide you with the best mineral support with respect to zinc.

Fighting male hair loss

Men get to enjoy another great benefit specifically just for them in that pumpkin seed oil is known to help fight hair loss. Hair loss is linked to an increase in an androgen hormone known as diHydroxy Testosterone, which means that by managing hormones through a healthy diet, you can actually spot or even reverse the process. You can thank its high levels of zinc once again for this much-wanted effect as the mineral is known to help balance hormones, therefore encouraging hair growth rather than loss.

Younger looking, healthier skin

The oil, as mentioned earlier, isn’t just good for your insides, but your outsides too. Because it’s rich in fatty acids and an outstanding anti-inflammatory, it helps to calm and soothe redness in the skin as well as keep it hydrated and firm. It encourages cell turnover and aids in maintaining collagen levels, which results in more youthful looking skin. Vitamin E, in particular, is found in high levels in pumpkin seed oil, and combined with its beta-carotene content, they work together to help protect the skin from damage and reduce the signs of aging.