Pumpkin Seeds for Hair Loss and Prostate Problems in Men

Pumpkin seeds have beneficial properties for hair loss prevention, hair growth and protecting men against prostate problems.

Here’s why eating raw pumpkin seeds is so good for both keeping your hair and improving your prostate health if you are a man.

BHP, DHT and Pumpkin Seeds 

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, commonly called BPH, is a painful male condition that leads to constriction of the urethra and difficulty urinating.

It is quite common in older men but there are several nutrients in pumpkin seeds that can help by reducing DHT, the primary cause of BHP.

Delta-7-Sterine

The first of these is a mild steroidal compound called delta-7-sterine. Research has found delta-7-sterine directly competes with the much more potent di-hydro-testosterone at the receptor sites in the prostate.

DHT is strongly implicated in prostate cell proliferation, but when delta-7-sterine is present in the diet in large enough amounts, it minimizes the harmful effects of this hormone on the prostate.

Beta-Sitosterol

Pumpkin seeds contain high levels of phytosterols, including the much studied beta-sitosterol. Beta-sitosterol has been shown to block the conversion of testosterone to DHT by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase.

This can have many positive effects, like a reduction in hair loss. Specifically for prostate problems, the less excess DHT in the body to act upon the prostate the better.

In a double-blind placebo-controlled study of treating benign prostatic hyperplasia with phytosterols, BPH symptoms were shown to be ‘significantly improved in the treatment group’ with no side effects noted.

Zinc

The high zinc content in pumpkin seeds is another reason why they are considered so good for guarding against prostate problems.

Zinc is important for proper hormone production, including testosterone. It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and naturally enhances immune response. All of these actions are beneficial for a man suffering from an enlarged prostate.

Zinc is also needed for healthy hair and a deficiency in this mineral is often associated with hair loss as it directly affects the proper functioning of your hair follicles.

Raw and organic pumpkin seeds taste great and are an excellent source of zinc, delta-7-sterine and beta-sitosterol.

Other Nutrition for a Healthy Prostate in Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds also contain other protective factors to help prevent or treat prostate problems, such as good levels of antioxidant carotenoids like beta-carotene, magnesium and essential fatty acids.

The incidence of male prostate problems has been found to be considerably lower in countries where pumpkin seeds are regularly consumed, like Austria and Hungary.

This is hardly surprising with all of the different nutrients in pumpkin seeds. Eating them regularly may help moderate hormone levels, reduce an enlarged prostate, and relieve the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Pumpkin Seeds and Hair Loss

Excessive DHT levels can cause many problems for men, particularly later in life. The same hormone responsible for enlarging the prostate and causing benign prostatic hyperplasia, also contributes to hair loss and eventually male pattern baldness.

It causes hair loss in men by shortening the anagen (growth) phase of the hair follicle. This can lead to progressively finer and weaker hairs that, over time, simply stop growing.

However, the beta-sitosterol in pumpkin seeds has been shown to act as an inhibitor of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. It’s this enzyme that converts testosterone to hair damaging DHT.

Black currant oil is another natural remedy and well worth investigating if you are looking for a natural treatment for hair loss.

For some serious follicle nutrition, that promotes hair growth and combats hair loss and grey hairs, try this new healthy hair smoothie recipe.

Moderating Testosterone Conversion with Pumpkin Seeds

While we are supposed to have some DHT, most men would feel a lot better, and have fewer hair loss and prostate problems, if there were less testosterone conversion happening within their bodies.

Snacking on a handful of raw pumpkin seeds regularly may help minimize hair loss and promote healthy hair growth.

Delta-7-sterine also reduces the damaging effects of excessive DHT by competing with it at hair follicle receptor sites. Many men in online forums have reported a reduction in hair loss when they make pumpkin seeds a regular addition to their diets.

In fact, some people go so far as to apply pumpkin seed oil directly to their scalp before bed. The idea is to allow the delta-7-sterine, beta-sitosterol, essential fatty acids and other beneficial nutrients to act directly on the hair follicles overnight.

With pumpkin seed oil a deep green color, I’ll personally stick with snacking on the seeds. Alternatively, you can enjoy rich tasting pumpkin seed oil by the spoonful or mixed into food as a concentrated way to maintain healthy hair.

Pumpkin Seeds Hair Growth Benefits in Summary

• Pumpkin seeds contain beta-sitosterol which inhibits the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT. Excessive levels cause hair loss and male pattern baldness by attaching to hair follicles and reducing their growth phase.
• The delta-7-sterine compound found in pumpkin seeds also competes with this hormone at receptor sites in the body. This action makes for a second way that pumpkin seeds are a DHT blocker.
• Pumpkin seeds also promote hair growth with their high levels of zinc, magnesium, essential fatty acids, antioxidants and other nutrients.

While pumpkin seeds are especially beneficial for men concerned about hair loss, maintaining a healthy prostate and avoiding BHP, they are also a healthy superfood for women with their high levels of nutrition.

I’ve also written about a more unusual benefit of these tasty green seeds – using pumpkin seeds for parasites next.