Pumpkin Seed Oil Supplementation improves HDL and LDL cholesterol in Post‐Menopausal Women: A Random Double‐Blind Pilot Study

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effects of pumpkin seed oil supplementation on lipids in post‐menopausal women. Post‐menopausal females with normal lipid concentrations and blood pressure were randomly assigned to 2 groups to receive capsules of 2 g pumpkin seed oil (PSO, n =16) or wheat germ oil (WGO, n=10) daily for 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples were collected and assayed for total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, HDL‐cholesterol and LDL‐cholesterol before and at the end of supplementation period. Changes in the mean (± standard deviation) lipids concentrations were analysed using paired student's t‐test. There was no change in TC for both WGO (5.58 ± 1.43 mmol/l to 5.30 ± 1.32 mmol/l) and PSO (5.93 ±1.38 mmol/l to 5.72 ± 1.71 mmol/l). Triglyceride concentration remained the same for the PSO (1.39 ±0.69 mmol/l to 1.37± 0.64 mmol/l), but an increasing trend was seen in the WGO group (1.27± 0.43 mmol/lto 1.45 ±0.42 mmol/l, P =0.09). HDL –cholesterol significantly increased by 16.38% in the WGO group (P < 0.05) and 18.85% in PSO group (P < 0.01). LDL ‐cholesterol concentrations significantly decreased in the PSO group by 13.42% (P < 0.05) and there was a decreasing trend in the WGO group, though not significant (P = 0.10). These preliminary findings suggest PSO supplementation can improve HDL‐cholesterol and LDL‐cholesterol profile in post‐menopausal women, but further investigations are required.