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Pumpkin Seed Oil Can Increase Hair Growth By 40%? Not True.
Is pumpkin seed oil an effective hair loss treatment? In 2014, the answer was yes. Today, we’re not so sure.
2014 was the year a team of Korean researchers published a study on pumpkin seed oil and its effects on pattern hair loss. The study’s results made hair loss headlines across the world.
After 24 weeks of treatment with pumpkin seed oil, patients with mild to moderate pattern hair loss saw a significant increase in self-rated hair growth and satisfaction scores compared to the placebo group.
Most impressively, the pumpkin seed oil group saw a 40% increase in hair count. And when it comes to human hair loss studies, a 40% increase in hair count over 24 weeks is amazing.
For example, a 40% increase in hair count is four times higher than the hair count increases observed in this study on men using 1mg of Finasteride (Propecia) over 48 weeks. That’s 4x the hair count increase, in half the number of weeks!
So does this make pumpkin seed oil the new miracle hair loss supplement?
Not exactly.
What Everyone Missed About The Pumpkin Seed Oil-Hair Loss Study
When we read between the lines, the Korean study states that patients were treated with a health supplement containing pumpkin seed oil… and many other ingredients. In other words, the study wasn’t done on pumpkin seed oil by itself.
This begs the question: how much hair regrowth can we attribute to pumpkin seed oil? How much hair regrowth can we attribute to the supplement’s other ingredients? And is pumpkin seed oil really that effective at reversing hair loss?
This article uncovers the answers. We’ll break down everything you need to know about pumpkin seed oil and hair loss.
First, we’ll dive into the real findings of the pumpkin seed oil-hair loss study (hint: it’s not that pumpkin seed oil regrows hair).
Secondly, we’ll uncover the mechanisms by which pumpkin seed oil might reverse hair thinning (and compare its side effects against those of Finasteride).
Finally, we’ll take into consideration all the evidence and determine whether we should include pumpkin seed oil (topically or internally) in our hair loss regimen.
What is Pumpkin Seed Oil?
Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) is a cultivar of the squash plant and is native to North America. While most people in the US consume pumpkin seasonally during Winter, pumpkin seeds are often accessible in health stores year-round and considered a “healthy” snack.
Pumpkin seed oil is usually extracted by pressing roasted seeds of the Styrian pumpkin, a variety of pumpkin native to Austria. This thick oil is green or red in color and has a nutty taste often used in salad dressings, desserts, or even cooking oils.
Only recently have researchers started studying the science behind pumpkin seed oil and how it may improve our health, heart, and hair.
But are pumpkin seed oil’s hair benefits you read about on other sites real… or overstated?
The Real Results Of The Pumpkin Seed Oil-Hair Loss Study
Let’s dig deeper into that 2014 pumpkin seed oil-hair loss study.
The design: the study’s investigators performed a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study in which 76 male patients with mild to moderate pattern hair loss were divided into two treatment groups.
One group received a placebo, and the other group received 400mg of pumpkin seed oil daily. These two groups were followed for 24 weeks and the researchers evaluated during which the researchers examined four outcomes of scalp hair growth:
- Standardized clinical photographs of the scalp
- Patient self-assessment scores
- Scalp hair thickness
- Scalp hair counts
The results: a 40% increase in hair count for the pumpkin seed oil group versus only a 10% increase in hair count for the placebo.
Even the photos show, at a minimum, signs of increased hair density.
But when we take a closer look, we can’t actually attribute all this regrowth to pumpkin seed oil.
In fact, it’s uncertain whether we can attribute any of this regrowth to pumpkin seed oil.
The Pumpkin Seed Oil Study Didn’t Actually Study Pumpkin Seed Oil… It Studied A Supplement Called “Octa-Sabal Plus”
Octa-Sabal Plus isn’t pumpkin seed oil. It’s a Korean health supplement.
One capsule of Octa-Sabal Plus contains 100mg of pumpkin seed powder – not oil. Additionally, Octa-Sabal Plus also contains a proprietary blend of:
- Octacosanols (derived from vegetable powder)
- Gamma linolenic acid (derived from evening prim rose powder)
- Polyphenols (derived from red clover powder)
- Lycopene (derived from tomato powder)
- Corn silk extract (from corn silk powder)
These ingredients aren’t just fillers. Just like pumpkin seed oil, they target the myriad triggers of pattern hair loss.
For instance, red clover polyphenols may help reduce excess estrogen (a hormone associated with early onset baldness in men). Lycopene and gamma linolenic acid may decrease certain signaling proteins that increase arterial inflammation (inflammation that typically leads to arterial calcification and even hair loss).
In other words, these “extraneous” ingredients are important. We can’t just ignore them and say their effects are negligible, or that pumpkin seed oil (or powder) was doing all the hair growth heavy lifting.
But that’s not what this study did.
The Study’s Major Flaw: No “Pumpkin Seed Oil Only” Test Group
In order to test pumpkin seed oil’s effectiveness against hair loss, we need to isolate pumpkin seed oil from all other ingredients. No gamma linolenic acid, no red clover polyphenols, no lycopene, and no corn silk extract.
And while the title of the study: “Effect of Pumpkin Seed Oil on Hair Growth in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia…” might lead you to believe the researchers did this, they didn’t.
Instead, they tested 400mg of pumpkin seed powder packaged inside a proprietary blend of other hair loss-fighting compounds. Then they attributed all the treatment group’s hair growth to pumpkin seed oil.
But without a “pumpkin seed oil only” test group, we have no way of knowing how much regrowth was due to pumpkin seed oil, how much regrowth was due to this proprietary blend, or even if these ingredients created hair regrowth synergies and the supplement’s sum is greater than its parts.
It’s important to recognize this. Why? It nullifies the headline, “Pumpkin Seed Oil Increases Hair Count By 40%” – which I’ve read on far too many websites in the last three years.
But beyond the confounding ingredients, there’s something more shocking about the pumpkin seed oil-hair loss study…
Hair Thickness Increased 350%… In The Placebo Group!
In 24 weeks, the pumpkin seed oil group saw hair thickness increase ~360%. And the placebo group? 350%.
It’s an odd finding, and it suggests two things:
- The power of the placebo effect (this is very real).
- Seasonality. Since both groups saw nearly the same hair thickness increase, it’s possible this has to do with seasonality – the same seasonality highlighted in our teardown of the rosemary oil hair loss study.
The Placebo Group: Hair Thickness And Hair Count Increased, But Hair Loss Worsened
Despite the placebo group’s 10% increase in hair count and 350% increase in hair thickness… investigators still assessed the placebo’s hair loss as worsening over the 24-week period.
See this graph – which represents the change in investigator’s clinical assessment of each group’s hair loss on a 7-point scale before and after treatment:
It’s a peculiar finding – one that we wouldn’t expect from a group that saw such dramatic increases to hair count and hair thickness.
So… Should We Dismiss The Pumpkin Seed Oil Study Results Entirely?
Not necessarily. In fact, there’s a lot this study did right.
Firstly, the study was conducted on humans – not rats. Far too often everything seems to regrow hair on rats, but rarely do these effects carry over to humans. It’s always encouraging when we see tangible, physical results from human hair loss studies – mostly because they’re much rarer.
Secondly, this study was the first to utilize a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design in evaluating the long-term effects of pumpkin seed oil on pattern hair loss. This type of study design is considered the gold standard when it comes to clinical research. And despite the contradictory assessments of the placebo group (especially given their increased hair count and thickness), the assessors never knew which group they were evaluating.
Finally, this study is the first evidence in human trials that pumpkin seed oil (among other ingredients) may actually slow, stop, or even reverse pattern hair loss.
And when we dig into the supporting evidence, things get even more encouraging.
Boiling Down the Science: Pumpkin Seed Oil’s Hair Regrowth Mechanisms
Pumpkin seed oil is rich in micronutrients – like zinc and manganese – and tocopherols (vitamin E), phytosterols (plant sterols), and unsaturated fatty acids (linoleic acid).
And through these constituents, pumpkin seed oil may help improve pattern hair loss through several mechanisms:
- Lowering androgen activity (reducing DHT)
- Reducing inflammation
- Decreasing atherosclerosis in blood vessels
- Repleting trace elements necessary for hair growth
Let’s take each one-by-one.
1. Pumpkin Seed Oil Reduces Androgen Activity
The DHT-Hair Loss Connection
Most of us have heard about the connection between hair loss and a male-related hormone known as DHT.
DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is an androgen responsible for a variety of male functions – from sexual development to nervous system functionality. Unfortunately, there’s also a relationship between DHT and hair loss.
Pattern hair loss is association with elevated DHT levels in balding scalp tissues, and many studies show that DHT is at least partially responsible for the miniaturization or “shrinking” of our hair follicles in the scalp.
Testosterone, DHT, And The 5-Alpha Reductase Enzyme
Testosterone is converted to DHT by an enzyme called type II 5-alpha reductase. This enzyme is also found in prostate and scalp tissues.
Type II 5-alpha reductase is what allows DHT to bind to our prostate and scalp tissues. And if we stop this enzyme from activating, DHT can no longer bind to prostate or scalp tissues (which might help prevent more hair thinning).
In fact, inhibiting the type II 5-alpha reductase enzyme is the precise mechanism by which the medication Finasteride (Propecia) works to stop hair loss.
And since the same enzyme (and hormone) are implicated in prostate enlargement, Finasteride is also used to reduce prostate size and improve symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate).
Unfortunately, Finasteride is also associated with a host of undesirable side effects – such as decreased sexual drive and impotence. This is because when we reduce DHT levels in the body beyond a certain point, we begin to shut down the very functions that DHT directly controls (for example – our ability to get and maintain an erection). And people worried about these side effects tend to avoid using Propecia to treat their hair loss.
Pumpkin Seed Oil Decreases 5-Alpha Reductase Activity (And Thereby DHT) – And Might Be A Safer Alternative To Finasteride (Propecia)
The evidence is clear: pumpkin seed oil appears to reduce tissue DHT levels, and without inducing the sexual side effects of Finasteride (Propecia).
One study induced prostatic hyperplasia (an enlarged prostate) in rats by injecting them with testosterone under the skin. The investigators found that pumpkin seed oil prevented prostate enlargement in rats treated with testosterone, likely due to the inhibition of type II 5-alpha reductase. And this study reached a similar conclusion when investigating the effect of pumpkin seed oil on testosterone/drug-induced prostate growth.
The same results hold true in human studies. These researchers evaluated the effects of pumpkin seed oil on symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (again: an enlarged prostate). They determined that 320mg/day of pumpkin seed oil reduced prostate symptoms and improved quality of life after three months of treatment. And all without the sexual side effects.
But why not? If pumpkin seed oil reduces DHT, shouldn’t it also be susceptible to causing sexual problems?
A Paradox: If Pumpkin Seed Oil And Propecia Both Reduce DHT, Why Isn’t Pumpkin Seed Oil Associated With The Same Sexual Side Effects As Propecia?
Let’s review what we know about pumpkin seed oil, Finasteride, and 5-alpha reductase:
- Pumpkin seed oil reduces DHT – likely by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha reductase
- Finasteride (Propecia) is an FDA-approved hair loss drug that inhibits 5-alpha reductase
- Finasteride is associated with sexual side effects. Pumpkin seed oil isn’t.
But if pumpkin seed oil and Propecia both reduce DHT, and DHT reduction can cause sexual side effects, then why is only Propecia associated with sexual side effects?
The answer is probably two-fold:
- Pumpkin seed oil might just be less effective at inhibiting 5-alpha reductase than Propecia.
- Pumpkin seed oil might inhibit 5-alpha reductase in a different way than Propecia.
Let’s explore that second point for a moment.
5-Alpha Reductase Inhibition: Direct Vs. Indirect
Finasteride is a synthetic compound that acts as a direct 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. In other words, Finasteride – once metabolized inside the body – directly inhibits 5-alpha reductase at the cellular level.
In contrast, pumpkin seed oil might not directly inhibit 5-alpha reductase. Rather, pumpkin seed oil might indirectly inhibit 5-alpha reductase through another mechanism: reducing inflammation.
The explanation is as follows:
In sites of inflammation, damaged tissues release signaling proteins which send inflammatory cells to an injury. This begins the healing process. Hormones (like DHT) are also involved in healing. How? Well, when these signaling proteins signal inflammatory cells to arrive at damaged tissue – we sometimes also see a higher expression of the hormone DHT (and the 5-alpha reductase enzyme) at the same sites. This suggests that 5-alpha reductase and DHT are responses to the inflammatory process.
And by that logic, if we 1) reduce inflammation, or 2) turn off the pro-inflammatory signaling proteins that send inflammatory cells to our damaged tissues, we may also indirectly reduce 5-alpha reductase expression and thereby DHT. Why? Because if there aren’t any signaling proteins turning on 5-alpha reductase, testosterone won’t convert into DHT in those tissues.
This difference – direct versus indirect 5-alpha reductase inhibition) – is probably why pumpkin seed oil users don’t report the same sexual side effects as those using Propecia… Despite the fact that both reduce 5-alpha reductase expression and thereby DHT levels.
Finasteride Directly Inhibits 5-Alpha Reductase. Pumpkin Seed Oil Indirectly Inhibits It. This Probably Explains Why Pumpkin Seed Oil Doesn’t Cause Sexual Side Effects.
To sum up: pumpkin seed oil likely doesn’t directly suppress the 5-alpha reductase enzyme. Instead, pumpkin seed oil likely decreases inflammation by decreasing the expression of inflammatory signaling proteins. And in the absence of those signaling proteins, our bodies express fewer 5-alpha reductase in inflammatory sites. The net result: lower DHT in sites of inflammation.
This is a good thing, because inflammation and hair loss are closely connected… And pumpkin seed oil actually fights inflammation in a variety of ways.
2. Pumpkin Seed Oil has Anti-inflammatory Properties
The Inflammation-Hair Loss Connection
Chronic scalp inflammation is closely linked to hair loss. In fact, it may even be causative.
Chronic inflammation promotes the formation of arterial plaque (atherosclerosis) in the vessels supporting our hair follicles. Over time, this arterial plaque can build up and lead to scarring and arterial calcification.
This calcification also occurs in the blood vessels supporting our scalp hair follicles. The end effect: reduced blood flow and oxygen delivery to the scalp hair follicles – causing our hairs to miniaturize, shrink, and eventually disappear.
If we want to prevent (or reverse) hair loss, we absolutely need to reduce arterial plaque build-up in our blood vessels. Fortunately, pumpkin seed oil might help do this.
Pumpkin Seed Oil’s Antioxidants May Help Reduce Inflammation
Pumpkin seed oil contains antioxidants (substances that prevent the oxidation and degradation of our cells and tissues). Specifically – the antioxidants tocopherols (vitamin E)… And tocopherols are associated with decreasing oxidation and inflammation in certain body tissues.
For instance, a study on rats showed pumpkin seed oil reduces inflammatory mediators similarly to indomethacin (a non-steroidal drug used for arthritis), especially in the chronic phase of inflammation. And this study shows that 100 IU’s / kg of alpha-tocopherols was enough to lower the expression of transforming growth factor beta-1 and oxidative stress – two biomarkers closely linked to inflammation and hair loss.
Pumpkin Seed Oil’s Fatty Acids May Also Reduce Inflammation
Beyond its tocopherol content, pumpkin seed oil is also abundant in unsaturated fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid. And evidence shows that linoleic acid (when it’s not oxidized) has strong anti-inflammatory effects.
For instance, research shows that conjugated linoleic acid inhibits a pro-inflammatory enzyme known as cyclooxygenase (COX-2), and that it’s even as effective at reducing arthritis severity and inflammatory signaling proteins as the popular joint pain drug celecoxib.
Moreover, a recent human study evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of conjugated linoleic acid in young male subjects performing exhaustive exercise. The subjects who received conjugated linoleic acid showed a significant reduction in inflammatory markers – such as matrix metalloproteinase, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor.
Unsurprisingly, all of those signaling proteins are associated with the onset of calcification – the same kind of calcification we see in the scalps of men and women with pattern hair loss.
Which brings us to our third mechanism of action…
3. Pumpkin Seed Oil Reduces Atherosclerosis
We know that chronic, systemic inflammation can lead to the buildup of arterial plaques (atherosclerosis), and that atherosclerosis can lead to arterial calcification, reduced blood flow to hair follicles, and hair loss.
And it’s no wonder there’s a correlation between pattern hair loss and cardiovascular disease. Why? The chronic inflammation that triggers arterial plaque in our scalp blood vessels is also the same chronic inflammation that triggers arterial plaque everywhere else in our bodies – including the heart.
The takeaway: if we want to preserve our heart (and hair) health, it’s critical we prevent arterial plaque build-up.
So can we tie the anti-inflammatory effects of pumpkin seed oil to a reduction in arterial plaque?
Yes!
This is exactly what a group of investigators sought to accomplish when they studied rats that were switched from a diet high in saturated fat to a diet rich in unsaturated fat. The findings: the rats eating a diet richer in unsaturated fatty acids decreased both fatty liver disease and atherosclerosis. What’s more, these outcomes were attributed to the anti-inflammatory effects of unsaturated fatty acids and the phytochemicals in pumpkin seed oil.
Numerous studies have confirmed the anti-inflammatory actions of conjugated linoleic acid in arteries and have demonstrated that linoleic acid not only prevents the progression of atherosclerosis, but also induces atherosclerotic regression.
In other words, these fatty acids are pro-heart and pro-hair. And these fatty acids are also carriers of pumpkin seed oil’s rich mineral content – minerals that are required for proper metabolism, cell function, and even hair growth. Which brings us to our final mechanism of action for pumpkin seed oil.
4. Pumpkin Seed Oil Repletes Minerals Necessary for Hair Growth
The Zinc-Hair Loss-Pumpkin Seed Oil Connection
Skin has the third highest abundance of zinc in all body tissues. In fact, zinc is required for the proliferation and differentiation of the cells in the outermost layer of our skin – epidermal keratinocytes. And interestingly, evidence shows that epidermal keratinocytes are partially responsible for hair follicle proliferation. So it’s no surprise that deficiencies in trace elements such as zinc, magnesium, and calcium are associated with a rare form of hair loss called alopecia areata – and may also be involved in the pathogenesis of pattern hair loss.
One study showed that zinc deficiency is associated with patchy and diffuse forms of hair loss in children. And a recent meta-analysis found that people with alopecia areata had lower serum zinc levels compared to healthy individuals.
While the zinc-alopecia aerata connection isn’t totally understood, it highlights the importance of trace minerals for the support of metabolism, hormone synthesis, and even our hair.
The good news: pumpkin seed oil is abundant in these very minerals: zinc, magnesium, iron, and calcium. As a result, consuming it regularly may have a protective effect against nutrient deficiency-driven hair loss.
Pumpkin Seed Oil And Hair Loss: What We Don’t Know (And Why It’s Important)
A lot of people are hyping up pumpkin seed oil up to be a hair loss cure-all. But the evidence is really limited.
For instance, when we delve into the details of the aforementioned Korean study, we find that the supplement they used wasn’t pumpkin seed oil; it was Octa Sabal Plus – a supplement that contains many ingredients (one of which is pumpkin seed oil). And while the regrowth results were promising, these confounding factors make it impossible to tell ow much regrowth to attribute to the pumpkin seed oil, and how much regrowth to attribute to the supplement’s other ingredients.
Additionally, although the authors postulated that pumpkin seed oil’s benefits for reversing pattern hair loss are related to the inhibition of 5-alpha reductase, they never actually confirmed this mechanism of action. That’s a problem. Why? We might be assigning the hair regrowth to the wrong mechanism.
What We Need To Know: Unanswered Questions About Pumpkin Seed Oil And Hair Loss
Future studies on pumpkin seed oil and hair loss should answer the following:
What are pumpkin seed oil’s effects on blood-level and tissue-level DHT? This will give us an idea of pumpkin seed oil’s effects on 5-alpha reductase.
What are pumpkin seed oil’s effects on prostate-specific antigen in their subjects? This will also help us determine whether pumpkin seed oil acts on 5-alpha reductase – or through secondary 5-alpha reductase inhibiting mechanisms (like reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine expression).
How does pumpkin seed oil compare to DHT inhibitors like Finasteride? In the beginning of this article, we did a crude cross-comparison between hair count studies on pumpkin seed oil and Propecia. But that wasn’t very scientific. It’s likely that the major difference in hair counts between studies are due to different counting methods and assessors. We need an actual study to compare the two together.
If pumpkin seed oil inhibits 5-alpha reductase, how does it do it? Again, there might be a big difference between direct versus indirect 5-alpha reductase reduction – which could explain why pumpkin seed oil testers aren’t reporting any sexual side effects.
Is topical pumpkin seed oil as effective as oral pumpkin seed oil for regrowing hair? It’s possible pumpkin seed oil’s linoleic acid and tocopherols might be more effective when applied directly to the scalp. But without a study, we can only take guesses.
Summary: Should We Use Pumpkin Seed Oil?
Based on the evidence, pumpkin seed oil may be a promising hair loss treatment. And its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-androgenic properties may be the key its hair-regrowing capabilities. But should we actually include it in our hair loss regimen?
Maybe.
Pumpkin seed oil probably has a protective effect against more hair thinning, since it’s been shown to reduce chronic inflammation and atherosclerosis. These conditions eventually trigger fibrosis and calcification – so anything that can prevent them will help with our hair health.
Moreover, the constituents in pumpkin seed oil such as linoleic acid, phytosterols, and tocopherol may also improve cardiovascular health. And its trace elements such as zinc, magnesium, and calcium – are critical to preventing hair loss due to nutritional deficiencies.
In addition, the phytosterols in pumpkin seed oil have shown to have inhibitory actions on 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT. High DHT levels in scalp tissue are correlated with pattern hair loss; therefore, pumpkin seed oil may be a natural DHT blocker with pro-hair effects.
And even though pumpkin seed oil might be anti-androgenic, it doesn’t seem to harbor any sexual side effects. This makes it a potentially better option for anyone concerned about (or even experiencing) the effects of Finasteride on their sex drive.
How To Use Pumpkin Seed Oil For Hair Thinning
There are no strict guidelines on the proper use of pumpkin seed for hair loss. But the majority of studies focus on oral pumpkin seed oil intake. Knowing this, let’s only look at dosages for human subjects.
The study demonstrating the benefits of pumpkin seed oil on enlarged prostates used doses of 325mg daily and found favorable results after 3-6 months of treatment. Similarly, the 2014 Korean study used doses of 400mg daily for six months of treatment – and these dosages were split throughout the day: two 100mg capsules 30 minutes before lunch and dinner.
It is common to find 1000mg pumpkin seed oil tablets at nutritional stores and pharmacies. Since pumpkin seed oil is well tolerated without major adverse effects, a dose between 400mg and 1000mg per day is likely to be within the safe range.
If you’re going to try pumpkin seed oil, try it for at least 6 months to observe any appreciable increase in hair growth.
And most importantly, if you’re going to try pumpkin seed oil, make sure you’re buying from brands that are refrigerated and cold-processed. Doing so will minimize the oxidation of its unsaturated fatty acids – which will make these acids even more effective.
Rob English is a researcher, medical editor, and the founder of perfecthairhealth.com. He acts as a peer reviewer for scholarly journals and has published five peer-reviewed papers on androgenic alopecia. He writes regularly about the science behind hair loss (and hair growth). Feel free to browse his long-form articles and publications throughout this site.
Hi Rob
Great article.
I take two capsules a day for pumpkin seed oil orally. Apparantly the seed targets DHT via the Liver.
However I noticed positive results in month 4 of the regimen along with your book. Im now half way through month 5 with temple regrowth.
However i used pumpkin seed oil along with saw palmetto and androgen supplements.
My theory is as follows.
I totally agree with the factor of pumpkin seed oil not having the same detrimental side effect of finesteride , due to indirect inhibiting.
Im sure that Fin also contains chemical compounds which are agressive and also target the prostrate. I cant think of any other reason why it would harm sexual health , other than being engineered to remove DHT and not the real culprit.
Oral consumption may be the better option if mechanincal stimulation is in process. I totally beleive that topical application is less efficient without any break down of calcification and fibrosis.
Could it be that 5 alpha reductuse is vulerenable to fatty acids more than we beleive ?
Ie Omega 3 ect seem to also have an impact on hair quality. I also included omega 3 in diet.
I think fatty acids may have a larger role than we think in preventing hair loss.
Hey Praz,
Thank you. And to answer your question – there are apparently several differences between 5-AR inhibitors that are food-derived (saw palmetto, pumpkin seed oil, etc.) versus synthetic- or steroid-derived (Finasteride, Dutasteride).
I’m finishing an article on this and will have it posted by next week. It’s a fascinating subject matter and I haven’t seen the topic explored anywhere else. I look forward to reading your thoughts when it’s done.
And yes – certain fatty acids from food-derived 5-AR inhibitors may be more helpful than we think – and not just for 5-AR inhibition, but also for anti-inflammation.
Hi Rob,
thanks for another informative article.
Personally, I eat a couple of pumpkin seeds a day (usually in between meals in order not to risk the malabsorption of other minerals) and sometimes enjoy some quality pumpkin seed oil for salad dressings (expensive stuff). However, I generally try to keep my intake of oil, nuts and seeds at a low level because I’ve noticed that a higher intake of omega-6 fatty acids definitely leads to more inflammation in my body. In my case, it leads to acne outbreaks. I’ve been doing that for about 3 months now and my acne is basically gone. Do you think that sort of inflammation may at all be related to scalp health?
Also, you mention that atherosclerosis can trigger hair loss. From what I know, it would generally be advisable to reduce one’s consumption of meat, eggs and dairy as these foods contribute to atherosclerosis considerably. I’m not trying to push a vegetarian/vegan agenda here, just saying that the general scientific consensus on that matter appears to be “eat more fruit and veg”.
I’d like to ask what your personal recommendations are at this point. Focus on mechanostimulation/lifestyle/diet or try to incorporate things like pumpkin seed oil, saw palmetto and rosemary oil? To my understanding, your latest research inquiries do not change the fact that the scalp massages are still the most effective treatment. Is that correct?
Hey Manuel – all great points. I think excessive (and oxidized) omega 6 fatty acid production can create problems for the scalp, and that if you find you’re sensitive to too much omega 6, it’s best to minimize your consumption.
The data on diet and atherosclerosis gets more and more complicated by the day. One thing we’re noticing is that not all diets work for every individual, and that it’s best for each person to test to see how their bodies perform on a vegan, vegetarian, paleo, or moderation-based diet. The evidence condemning meat and eggs as contributors to atherosclerosis is actually very mixed. But when it comes to dairy, you’re right: the data suggests that pasteurized and homogenized dairy can increase pro-inflammatory cytokines and create low levels of inflammation which may express as acne, oily skin, or possibly even hair problems.
My personal recommendations for diet / lifestyle are currently undergoing revisions (in reality, I’m always revising them because I’m always reevaluating the evidence). I’m no longer as harsh on all omega 6 fatty acids as I used to be. As far as supplementing with herbal / natural DHT reducers – some people are having tremendous success combining these with the massages. If you find your body can handle them well, it might not hurt to combine both approaches. But in general, I still think that mechanical stimulation alongside a diet / lifestyle that naturally reduces DHT conversion is the best approach.
Thanks for your reply Rob!
I’ll stick to the plan then and possibly add rosemary oil in a couple of months.
Regarding atherosclerosis: Dr. Greger has many excellent videos on that topic, taking into account hundreds of scientific articles. 🙂
https://nutritionfacts.org/?fwp_search=atherosclerosis&fwp_content_type=video
Hi rob, I used a combination of saw palmetto, pumpkinseed oil ,biotin and lipogaine for three months and saw hairs growing on my scalp and my hair was thicker it actually worked.
That’s great Francis! Thanks for sharing. Pumpkin seed oil in combination with other treatment options can yield effective results. Please keep us posted with your progress!
Hi Rob!
Have you seen this video about hair regrowth with Octa Sabal Plus? Not sure if its real, can’t understand what they’re saying lol… On the other hand, I wonder if these people are the ones who participated in the study??
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDfziqUlPK4
There however seems to be clear results.
There’s also something fascinating I got from this study… it’s that I don’t think they have changed their diet. Which means its actually possible to regrow ones hair without going into a strict diet!
I know you’re pretty much against supplementation most of the time but I think this is going to be very helpful for those people who can’t follow the diet in your book to a tee.
I know diet is still important but there are just days where one can do nothing but just cheat. Like if there’s an event you must attend and the restaurant doesn’t offer anything you could eat. At least with supplementation, I think it could act as a buffer in case I end up cheating.
There are country and culture differences as well when one can easily follow the diet. (In my case, going Paleo or GF is still considered a fad in my country). Have to end up cooking my own food and stopped eating out with my friends most of the time.
Only thing that sucks though is that I can’t find Octasabal Plus for sale. T_T
The ingredients you mentioned above however seems to be easy to find in Amazon.
I wonder if you think it would be a good idea to purchase all of these supplements/ingredients you mentioned?
Pumpkin Seed
Octacosanols (derived from vegetable powder)
Gamma linolenic acid (derived from evening prim rose powder)
Polyphenols (derived from red clover powder)
Lycopene (derived from tomato powder)
Corn silk extract (from corn silk powder)
Hey Ray,
Thanks for sharing the video! I hadn’t seen it before. Those results are impressive!
One note– beyond the hair regrowth, it looks like the facial structure of some of these men have changed. For instance, look at the man at 7:15 and then his facial structure at 7:52 just three months later. We can see a softening of his male facial features, a slight widening of his face, and maybe even more fat deposited evenly around his face (giving the appearance of a slightly fuller, more swollen face). Interestingly, you can notice this in almost all of the featured participants.
Interestingly, this has been a reported side effect of Propecia (another type II 5-alpha reductase inhibitor).
http://www.propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=9303
This all leads me to believe that Octa Sabal Plus is probably a more powerful 5-AR inhibitor than we thought (maybe on par with Finasteride, maybe not).
In terms of making Octa Sabal Plus yourself — you can certainly try it! Those ingredients are available on Amazon (as you mentioned). If you experiment with this, please keep us posted with what happens.
Best,
Rob
You might be interested in this as well as it actually includes the raw materials and % use for Octasabal Plus.
https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ko&u=http://m.blog.daum.net/hyp7779/4&prev=search
Translation above is a bit wonky so I tried to translate the materials 1 by 1 instead and this is what I have come up with.
Pollen (crude protein 18% or more) 40%, Pumpkin seed oil powder (pumpkin seed oil 90%, maltodextrin 10%) 12%, Mixed edible oil (45% of evening primrose oil, 45% of pumpkin seed oil), Olive oil 7%, sunflower oil 1%, palm oil 2%) 12%, Mixed lactose (lactose 95%, dextrin 5%) 12%, Beer dry yeast 8%, red shamrock powder 6%,
Corn beard powder 4%, 3% magnesium stearate,0.6% of carboxymethylcellulose calcium, Zinc oxide 1.2%,Vitamin E 50%1% of powder (DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate 50%, starch 24.5%, xtrrin 24.5%, silicon dioxide 1%),Tomato extract powder (tomato extract powder 75%, gum arabic 21%, rosemary extract powder 4%) 0.5% – Calcel base: gelatin Acetic acid, glycerin, titanium dioxide, synthetic coloring
As you can see, 40% of its ingredients is actually pollen. From what I can gather, pollen is actually anti-inflammatory.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4377380/
Only about 12% is attributed to pumpkin seed oil.
The thing is I don’t know where they are deriving octacosanol from… they said its from mixed vegetable oil/powder but from my google research it seems only olive oil has it.. so its not really mixed.
Additionally, I am not sure if beer dry yeast(brewer’s yeast) would be problematic.
I am actually planning to replicate this and keep you guys posted. I do have a question though Rob…
Pumpkin Seeds have horrible Omega3 and Omega 6 ratio. I think I remember you said in the book that too much Omega 6 can cause inflammation.
Additionally I found Red Clover Extract to be actually estrogenic.
So I am not quite sure why some of these people are actually getting results, despite taking these ingredients daily that’s suppose to worsen their condition?
Hey Ray,
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing this. So it appears that Octa Sabal Plus (if it’s the same supplement as the one listed in your link) contains even less pumpkin seed oil than anticipated! Please keep us posted with how you progress on this. I’m looking forward to hearing about it!
In terms of omega 6:3 ratios–
This has become a bit of a hot topic lately. But without getting into too much science — it appears that a high omega 6:3 ratio is associated with atherosclerosis and a series of other precursors to fibrosis / calcification — but only under the condition that the majority of omega 6 (or omega 3) consumed is oxidized. So if you’re avoiding oxidized vegetable oils and oxidized supplements — you shouldn’t need to worry too much about this. Just buy your pumpkin seed oil cold-pressed, sealed in a dark container, and from a reputable manufacturer… and be sure to refrigerate it!
Best,
Rob
First I would like to say, this is a fantastic by article by Rob, breaking down the scientific experiment making it easy for everyone to understand.
And secondly for Ray, did you follow through and make the “Octasabal Plus” supplement yourself by purchasing the ingredients individually. It sounds like a lot of work to try and blend the ingredients correctly. I would love to know if it had a positive/negative effect on you. I was also thinking of doing the same.
It does seem peculiar that the “Octasabal Plus” supplement has not received more attention or been advertised with these fantastic results? Even though its only had a partial concentration of Pumpkin Seed Powder (Not Oil).
It would be great be great to hear a response from Ray and Rob on his thoughts on the validity of the experiment. I am also looking into your book Ray.
Thanks David!
There’s certainly a lot the Octasabal Plus-hair loss study did right, and if you do try to buy the ingredients and test — please let me know. A few readers have anecdotally reported great hair regrowth with just consistent oral intake of pumpkin seed oil / saw palmetto. While that’s not the case for everyone, this study certainly helps to partially validate those anecdotes.
Best,
Rob
The link you provided does NOT mention pollen.
Where did you see that ?
Great article. I wantes to include this on my regime since I am already doing tuw things in your program.
However, I can’t find pumpkin seed oil in Mexico.
What other oils do you think could work? One quick search made me think that sesame oil could be a substitute
Hey Ricardo, possible alternatives include castor oil, sesame oil, emu oil, olive oil, and even coconut oil. If you decide to use any fat-based topical, I’d recommend sticking to the guidelines in this article (cold-pressed, etc.) to minimize oxidation before application.
Rob, I was wondering more about oral intake. Other oils are, like coconut, seem quite different than pumpkin seed oil
For oral intake substitutes for pumpkin seed oil, you can certainly experiment with something like borage oil, sesame oil, or castor oil. They’re closer in fat composition profiles to pumpkin seed oil than coconut or emu oil, so they’ll probably be your best bet.
Best,
Rob
I see you mentioned the Korean study used a supplement with an entire proprietary bland of other ingredients. Could anyone please link the name of the product as I am very interested in taking it.
How is it possible to have an increased hair count and increased hair loss at the same time? That’s just flat out contradicting and impossible (referring to the “But Hair Loss Worsened” statement).
Unless “hair loss worsening” means that the losing of hair deteriorated.
I totally agree! How is it that the placebo group experiences an increase in hair count and hair thickness, and at the same time, two independent double-blind evaluators suggest that their hair loss worsens (at least from a visual evaluation)?
I still can’t make sense of that one.
Best,
Rob
Great article, thanks for putting that together.
So this Octa Sabal Plus seems to be having good results. Whats the status of this I wonder? I saw on Alibaba that you can purchase a ton for around 600 bucks. Seems very expensive and also no way of verifying trust from the supplier, so I would personally stay away. How come so little about it online too. Seems strange.
I will be adding pumpkin oil supplement capsules and also pumpkin oil dressing for my salads (it tastes great) to my natural regime.
Hey Jooper,
Great points. The challenge with Octa Sabal Plus is sourcing — as you pointed out. I’m typically wary of anything coming from Alibaba, and the $600 commitment for a minimum order — for me — isn’t worth the gamble. With that said, if it is a legitimate source, $600 for a ton of Octa Sabal Plus will last you a lifetime, and you can probably package and resell it if it’s the same quality as the product in the study (and if the company allows it).
In the meantime, I’d recommend just taking oral + topical pumpkin seed oil — so long as the source is cold-processed and refrigerated.
Best,
Rob
been eating a handful of raw pumpkin seeds daily for about a month.
my PSA went down by 58% in a blood draw a week ago. (i have prostate cancer).
from 120 to 88 ng/ml.
amazing drop and the only thing different between last 2 PSA readings was the pumpkin seeds.
Thanks for sharing, John! It’s amazing what changes to diet can do for our health. Please keep us posted with your treatments and recovery.
All my best,
Rob
Can i use both saw palmetto and pumpkin seed oil at a time on daily.if we can use.how much dosage is good and how many months needs to use
Hey Srinivas — I’d adhere to the pumpkin seed oil dosages referenced within the above article.
You can certainly try PSO and saw palmetto simultaneously. For more information about saw palmetto dosages, please see this article:
https://perfecthairhealth.com/5-natural-dht-blockers-for-hair-loss/
Best,
Rob
Here is what seems to be working for me.. in 3 months I have seen more hair on my head than I have had in 30 years. It started with an enlarged prostate problem. Saw palmetto seems to help, along with that I take flaxseed with lignans and trace minierals and licorice chewable tablets and biotin and nettle root .so I see very visible hair growth within 3 months now . And I mean I was a cue ball. Now I see new hair follicles on my head everywhere. They started like peach fuzz and now have darkened and new follicles can be seen on my scalp we’re there was nothing before. I’m very pleased I now actually have the dark shade on top of my head from the new hair follicles. Dark shade being the look of someone who shaved their head. Let’s see how this goes.
Congrats Dan! That’s great to hear. Keep us posted on your results! And if you’re up for it, I’m sure readers here would love to see photos if you’ve taken any!
Youre lucky. That did nothing for my hair loss
Maybe you have different alopecia causes. You need to do DNA test for androgenic alopecia.
I’m seeing the most hair on my head in 30 years. 3 months into this I already have a shade on top of my head fro new follicles and hairs .
I use flaxseed with lignans
Biotin
Nettle root
Trace minerals
Chewable licorice tabs
Not only is hair coming back but I can go wee again.
Hey is there any particular brand that you recommend. I’m new to the supplements so i’m not sure what you mean by cold-pressed. What brand did you find worked for you. Thanks in advance!
Hey Kumar,
There’s not a particular brand that I recommend — but just a few boxes that need to be checked in order to know that the supplement or oil is of better quality. For a topical, cold-pressed is one of those boxes. Refrigerated shipping is also pretty important — as a significant amount of oxidization can occur in hot shipping beds. A darker bottle is also up there — to help prevent oxidation after pressing. Whole Foods typically has a few brands in their refrigerated aisle that cover these bases.
Best,
Rob
Hi Rob,
What are your thoughts on this potential product (link to ingredients below)?
http://hairmetto.com/ingredients.html
Thank you,
Gil
Hey Gil,
They look potentially helpful, and have a little overlap with the ingredients in the Octa Sabal Plus supplement. At the end of the day, what’s most important is sourcing. Unless these ingredients are constantly third-party tested, that castor oil could be rancid, the saw palmetto could be processed incorrectly, etc. That’s where choosing a supplement gets complicated.
Best,
Rob
Hey Rob,
Nice article, just trying to see where you found out the actual content of the pills they took.
I read the abstract and the study sunmary I could find and they were pretty thorough, but did not me tion anything about additional supplements.
Hey Tyler,
The study mentions testing a supplement called Octa Sabal Plus, which highlights its ingredients here:
http://www.tradekorea.com/product/detail/P291943/Octa-Sabal-Plus-.html
Another reader found out the percentages of each ingredient from this page:
https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ko&u=http://m.blog.daum.net/hyp7779/4&prev=search
Best,
Rob
Dear Rob
I’ve been using finas for last 4 months , I did not notice any side effects till now , but I was seriously worried about future side effects , because I was just 24, so I decided to stop
Thank you Rob
For inspiring me I feel very positive
After going through ur article
I had few doubts regarding octasaba plus .
1)should I take this forever ?
2) what’s the dosage? How many
times per day
Thanks in advance
Hey Dynamo,
To answer your questions–
1) Generally, any supplement / topical must be used indefinitely to keep any results achieved from that supplement / topical. It’s very frustrating! And to make matters worse, topical efficacy can wane over time for each individual. But in any case, many people report enough benefit to continue using products like the above.
2) The study shows that subjects received 400mg of Octa Sabal Plus daily.
Best,
Rob
Dear Rob
Octasabal plus is a oral tablet or some kind of oil???
Please give directions to use octasabal plus
Thanks in advance
Hi Dynamo,
This is covered a few times in the article, but most concisely under the “How To Use Pumpkin Seed Oil For Hair Thinning” summary section. Octa Sabal Plus is an oral supplement. Each pill is 100mg. And the subjects in the study took four pills per day — to total 400mg daily. They took two 30 minutes before lunch, and two 30 minutes before dinner.
Best,
Rob
Hi rob,
Am eating raw pumpkin seeds on regular basis, around 30g/day, will that compensate me from taking them pills ?
Thank in advane
Hey Willi — it’s hard to say! Raw pumpkin seeds have a significant amount of anti-nutrients alongside a completely different nutritional profile (since pumpkin seed oil is just a portion of the total pumpkin seeds, and likely contains fewer nutrients but also fewer anti-nutrients). Keep us posted if you see any improvements!
Hi rob,
I’ve been reading your articles lately and been really enjoying it. I have a couple questions for you . So, I have been consuming a handful of raw pumpkin seeds along with raw almonds, also been taking fish oil (omega 3 -700mg) twice daily. Do you think am consuming too much of fatty acids keeping in mind that I train daily. Also, does the raw pumpkin seed atone me for not taking pumpkin seed oil or does each has its own function. Finally, a bit off topic, what do u think of viviscal pills, and its AminoMar Marine Complex extracted from shark cartilage, is it associated with fatty acids or what are your thoughts about it .
Thank in advance
Hey Robinson,
Thanks for the kind words. In general, I don’t take any supplements — particularly nutrients — for several reasons (some listed here):
https://perfecthairhealth.com/nutrient-deficiency-hair-loss/
I also discuss some potential problems taking seeds / nuts for immuno-compromised individuals (usually stemming from gut dysbiosis) in the book. So depending on the individual, the recommendations vary.
You can certainly try Viviscal or the AminoMar supplement. I always encourage personal experimentation provided each person is tracking their progress correctly. However, I’ve found nearly all food-based supplements marketed toward AGA to be essentially useless, and sometimes counterproductive.
Best,
Rob
Rob, do you see any issue with combining the following regimen together for hair regrowth? propecia, pumpkin seed oil, biotin, Omega 3 Fish & Vitamin D . Anything else that you would suggest ?
Hey Leo,
It’s all person-specific. For instance, Propecia could potentially be a great treatment option, unless you experience the side effects. A vitamin D supplement could potentially be a great treatment option for addressing vitamin D deficiency, unless you’re deficient due to hyperparathyroidism and high calcium levels (in which case, a vitamin D supplement might kill you). A biotin supplement might improve deficiency-induced hair loss, but this is extremely rare in the first world. If you’re interested, here’s more information:
https://perfecthairhealth.com/nutrient-deficiency-hair-loss/
Could we use milled pumpkin seeds instead of pumpkin seed oil
Hey Kieran,
Pumpkin seeds weren’t studied in the original study. It was actually a supplement that contained pumpkin seed oil alongside several other ingredients. While pumpkin seeds technically contain pumpkin seed oil, we can’t say that pumpkin seeds would harbor the same degree of effect on our hair as pumpkin seed oil, and we definitely can’t say that pumpkin seeds will harbor the same effects as Octa Sabal Plus (the supplement). So to answer your question — we’re not sure! If you’re trying to emulate the study results, I’d suggest using all the ingredients inside Octa Sabal Plus. These ingredients are listed within the article and comments, if you’re curious.
Best,
Rob
Hello everyone, I don’t know if trying pumpkin seed oil (cold-pressed, etc.) or going for tablets.
What should be the dosis if ingesting pumpkin seed oil? In the study, the dosis was 400 mg, what would be the equivalent with the oil, maybe one tablespoon daily? It’s kind of expensive where I live…
About supplements, anyone could recommend some brand wich maintains the criteria Rob was addressing (cold-pressed, refrigerated shipment, etc)?
Thanks a lot!
Hi everyone – and thanks Rob for this interesting and very thoughtful article.
I accidentally came across this discussion about efficacy of pumpkin seed & its oil. But I’ve noticed a little bit of uncertainty/confusion about the form that pumpkin produce comes in and their various content/analysis.
Firstly Rob, you say that the study uses pumpkin seed powder – not oil. Then most of the discussion continues around the oil itself. But when I tried to search for pumpkin seed powder (or flour?) it seems that the oil is extracted in the process. Perhaps someone else might know if that is the case with all powders.
Despite the above slight uncertainty of what exactly was the active pumpkin-derived ingredient, it nevertheless appears that the health benefits of pumpkin seed and its oil are well worth pursuing. I noticed that some people were asking about pumpkin seed consumption for the benefits in comparison to consuming pumpkin seed oil or pumpkin seed extract tablets. I can’t give specific breakdowns, but for the information of those wanting to know I’ve come across a website of a pumpkin products producer in Australia who has done the analysis of their wares:
https://pepofarms.com.au/seedanalysis/
https://pepofarms.com.au/pumpkin-seed-oil-analysis/
https://pepofarms.com.au/product/pumpkin-seed-meal/
I imagine that there might be differences in analysis between pumpkin varieties and possibly even due to the growing conditions of pumpkins. Nevertheless, I reckon the above website analysis gives a good indication of the difference in oil content & ingredients between seed vs oil vs flour (powder?). For example, this particular analysis states that 100g of pumpkin seeds produces approximately 35 – 40 ml of oil.
Maybe both topical (oil) and oral treatments would be best for scalp & follicle health. But as usual, individual results may still vary. Even so, I’m pumped now and for the anti-inflammatory benefits (esp. arteries/cholesterol) and scalp/follicle health, so I’m going to give these a go. No harm in trying.
Thanks again everyone for your good discussion and sharing of info.
Kind regards,
Lyndall
PS – I have no interests to declare. I do not have any association with the above-mentioned website business or any of the people involved.
Hi Rob
40% does not mean four times!
400% mean 4 times..
I think that Math class was hard for You
All the best
🙂
Hey Thomas,
I’m not saying that 40% = four times. I’m saying that 40% is four times greater than 10%.
I’d recommend reading the abstract of the linked study, which says that finasteride increased hair count by ~10%. That was the study to which I made the comparison.
If you still can’t figure it out, I’m happy to clarify.
Best,
Rob
Thanks for your kind response
What you said is true
I owe you an apology
All the best,
Thomas
Hey Doc. I’m 25 going on to 26 soon and I’ve noticed I’ve been suffering from male pattern baldness.
I started losing hair about 2 to 3 years ago and my receding hairline is getting worse as well as my hair thinning on my scalp. I am not sure if it’s genetic as the only person with it is my uncle on my dads side.
Wanted to know how effective combining pumpkin seed oil 1000g tablets with minoxidil is. Would use Finastride but that’s a bit extreme when pumpkin seed oil capsules seem able to reduce dht. What are your thoughts?
Hey Kuben,
I’m not a doctor 🙂 But I can give you advice on what I would do in your position. It’s likely that pumpkin seed oil (as a topical or supplement) + minoxidil is a fine place to start. I’d also recommend targeting scalp tension — mainly through massaging the scalp perimeter muscles. Finally, wounding-related exercises (i.e., dermarolling) can promote growth factors that will help increase anagen hairs and maybe even regrow much of what is lost. All three of these are particularly useful together — especially the microneedling + minoxidil.
Best,
Rob
Great article and great read! Very informative and logic is definitely there from where I am sitting. Good job! I have had mega success in terms if hair growth and also reversing graying. It has not been easy but with lots of trial and error. This is what seems to be working for me based on my own personal experiences. I have been drinking HE SHOU WU tea (super anti oxidant and mega anti inflammatory) twice a day and one Ashgawanda tea later at night before bed. I have been taking 2 pills of saw palmetto daily (I believe 1000 mg total). I take COQ10 enzyme 300mg. I take one B12 tablet and eat a bunch of pumpkin seeds during the day. As a white person 15 minutes of light sun is a MUST also. to throw into the mix (DO NOT BE A FULL ON VAMPIRE) and hydrate well. Stay away from a lot of dairy and drink almond milk and eat almonds and dont be afraid of a little soy and have some green tea. Half an hour of fast walking ie doing laps around a oval I go to stimulates blood flow for me. This is essential also along with a little scalp massage. Since I have been following this routine for 3 months my hair and also my finger nails are growing like Rapunzels on the tower. Yes balding can be hereditary but I now strongly do believe that this gene can be deactivated in a sense.
Rob pertaining my last post I forgot to include one VITAL other things I take daily. They taste gross but I also eat a handful of cocoa nibs daily. They are very concentrated in magnesium! I believe they have also made a big difference. I realize that I am taking quite a bit of stuff on a daily basis but I have experimented with many things over time which has included and excluded certain things in my tests and this list for some reason has given me personally the best results from what I have personally witnessed. Sure it can vary from person to person etc. This is only my own personal experience testimony but I vouch it works in my case anyway. Also logically speaking and from my in depth reading on the matter I have compiled this list to counter different things that can cause hair loss. It pretty much covers and combats most angles. It is also not exactly cheap but all these things also ensure overall health. You will notice this after a while in terms of endurance and strength. I strongly do believe unless there is some other abnormality of course that this will yield very positive results for many if not most people even those with hereditary hair loss.
Hi Rob. Do you know of any supplements that you recommend to fight scarring alopecia?
im at graz, capital city of styria.
there are lot of bald people who likes pumpkin seed and have eaten pumpkin oil since their childhood. it seems that it doesnt affect too much . 🙂
Hey Rob
Great critique of the study. When I read the study I also noticed some of the same issues you pointed out.
You mentioned taking PSO that is refrigerated and cold-processed. Do you know of any cold-processed and refrigerated pumpkin seed oil supplements that can be taken orally?
Thank you for your help
Thanks, Sol! A lot of the brands I’ve seen (in Whole Foods) are sold in liquid form – meaning they’re not encapsulated. So unfortunately, I’m not aware of any brands selling pumpkin seed oil like this.
However, with Octa Sabal Plus, the supplement formulation actually contained pumpkin seed powder (not oil). So, chances are that if you find a supplement containing the same ingredients as that product, it shouldn’t matter if you can only find the pumpkin seed in powder form.
hey ive been taking pso for a while, i had a hair transplant as i was badly gone! and noticed some great results, was taking pso 3000mg daily for about a good year – yeah 3000mg lol, msm a hell of a lot, biotin and a topical.
Anyway my hair looked amazing, i then stopped and its thinned out again, id probably say obv only the transplanted hairs with some native but it has thinned out a bit, anyway one thing i did notice, is that pso can cause erectile problems, i think mainly because i am taking it in such large amounts, i mean now ive started again only 4 weeks prior been taking 1000mg x 3, throughout the day, where before i had a fairly good sex drive and got morning wood, ive recently noticed probably a few days back, sex drive has gone and morning wood is nothing!
However I cant put a timeline on it, but i was taking large amounts before and did recall i had poor erections, but after i came off it was perfectly fine, until i got back on it now.
personally i think finasteride is just much stronger than pso, but you can replicate its effects if you take a high enough dose!
DHT is responsible for sex drive and erections so no doubt it has definitely had some effect on my system with what im experiencing.
its four weeks so plan to taper down to 1000mg per day only now.
Rob – your analysis and work is top notch. Keep it up.
Hi Rob,
I have been looking all over for refrigerated pumpkin seed oil, all that I have seen/researched is sold at room temperature including Whole Foods. Is there such a thing as refrigerated pumpkin seed oil? Should I buy room temperature and then refrigerate when open or should I continue to look for a vendor/online store that sells refrigerated pumpkin seed oil?
Hey Cam,
As long as it’s in a dark bottle (to protect from oxidation), then it’s probably okay to buy a non-refrigerated brand. After you open the bottle and start using it, just be sure to refrigerate it 🙂 This will help to reduce its oxidizing capacity and thereby preserve its “shelf life”.
Hello Rob ,
Can i massage my scalp with the PSO ?
If taking a supplement what ingredients should i look out for ?
Thank you
Emma
Hello, I would like to ask about using warm pumpkin seed oil and apply it for the hair immediately, would it give the same results as the supplements and thanks