- Incorporating into a diet
- Method of use
- Contraindications
Losing significant amounts of weight and volume is a multifaceted process that requires several approaches to be applied simultaneously. Products that improve metabolic processes can potentially yield good results.
Incorporating into a diet
Pumpkins gained significant fame not only because they turned into a carriage in a well-known fairy tale. These fruits contain countless beneficial components: fiber, vitamins, and impressive amounts of minerals. Nutritionists sometimes lament that pumpkins are completely absent from the diets of many people, and with good reason.
Pumpkin seed oil can be called a concentrate of everything this fruit has to offer. The product is rich in B vitamins as well as A and E. It also contains vegetable and fatty acids, phospholipids, flavonoids, and carotene (which gives many varieties of pumpkins their characteristic orange color).
What properties allow pumpkin seed oil to be used in weight loss diets? Some believe that this product (when eaten) breaks down the subcutaneous fat layer and then eliminates the excess from the body. This assumption may seem appealing, but it is incorrect. In actuality, this is what happens:
- The pancreas improves in its function;
- Digestive processes are stimulated;
- The body more effectively eliminates waste products.
Scientific fact. As a rule, the subcutaneous fat layer breaks down only when muscles are actively working, i.e., during active physical activity. The simultaneous stimulation of metabolic processes creates favorable conditions for weight reduction.
A healthy diet is another important condition. If the diet is full of processed fats and “fast” carbohydrates, pumpkin seed oil will do little more than slow the formation of new subcutaneous fat deposits.
Method of use
How should pumpkin oil be taken for weight loss? Keep in mind how new foods are introduced into a child’s diet. Usually, they start with minimal amounts. The same approach is used here.
It is recommended to start eating the product at a level of one teaspoon. Add this amount of oil to a salad, a ready-made sauce, a slightly cooled portion of porridge, or soup (but only if the kind you eat cold). Any dish that is appropriate for use with vegetable oil without heat treatment will suffice.
Important! Do not heat pumpkin seed oil, as this process removes almost all of its beneficial properties. It is also important to follow the storage conditions: in a dark place at a temperature not exceeding 25˚C.
It is recommended to introduce this specific kind of product into your diet on a trial basis and in a tranquil setting. One should never discount the possibility of allergic reactions or individual intolerances. This applies even to those who eat pumpkin with pleasure and experience no discomfort whatsoever during digestion.
Another factor that must be considered is possible increased intestinal motility. If this occurs in moderation, such an effect is welcomed. However, diarrhea is also possible, for which sorbents, a large quantity of liquid, and a short pause will offer relief.
Has the body accepted the new product without issue? If desired, the “dosage” can be slightly increased. However, one should not completely replace all other vegetable oils in diet with pumpkin seed oil. The maximum allowable amount is no more than three tablespoons per day. A larger amount can negatively impact the function of the pancreas.
If there are no issues with tolerance, another option can be attempted: drinking pumpkin seed oil for weight loss in its pure form. The method is simple: a teaspoon an hour before each meal, up to three times per day. The ideal method will be determined by the body’s reaction. It is possible that a single daily dose may be enough to achieve the desired effect.
The smell and taste should be addressed. Opinions vary significantly on these characteristics. Some praise the specific flavors and aromas, while others are not pleased, to put it mildly. Do you fall into the latter camp? The unpleasant (to some) taste can be masked by chasing the oil with a few sips of natural juice. It is not advisable to drink water for this purpose. Another option is to eat a small cracker (oat, buckwheat) or a rusk. It should be noted that crackers themselves stimulate the intestines, and one must carefully observe the body’s reaction to such combinations of products.
Did this oil not provide the results you hoped for? Do not lose heart! There are other equally interesting options: sea buckthorn, castor, black cumin, and coconut.
Contraindications
The main contraindications are diseases of the pancreas and gallbladder, especially when stones are present. In second place are gastrointestinal ailments such as gastritis and ulcers.
Use of pumpkin seed oil requires mandatory medical approval due to the following diseases/conditions:
- Pregnancy/breastfeeding;
- Diabetes mellitus (all types);
- Dysfunctions of internal organs.
Rational use of pumpkin seed oil for weight loss allows for improved results when combined with a diet and reasonable, acceptable amounts of physical activity.
