How Does Pumpkin Seed Oil Help
Pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc, carotenoids and phytosterols â compounds thought to support prostate health.
There is more zinc in a healthy prostate than in any other area of the body, but levels are lower in men with BPH or prostate cancer. Whatâs more, a carotenoid-rich diet has been found to reduce the risk of BPH, whilst phytosterols can help relieve the symptoms of BPH.
Potential Health Benefits Of Pumpkin Seed Oil
Pumpkin seed oil is a rich source of vitamins and minerals. However, the same thing that makes pumpkin seed oil so potent can also create complications for people with certain medical conditions.
Research has found a number of potential health benefits to consuming pumpkin seed oil:
Prostate Health
Pumpkin seed oil may help improve benign prostate hyperplasia, which is an enlarged prostate. In a randomized trial, pumpkin seed oil eased symptoms of enlarged prostate and improved participants quality of life over a three-month period.
Topical pumpkin seed oil has also safely and non-invasively treated chronic nonbacterial prostatitis, a bacterial infection common in older men.
Hair Growth
For people trying to grow hair, pumpkin seed oil may be a helpful supplement. One study tested the success of pumpkin seed oil in men with mild to moderate hair loss. Those in the pumpkin seed oil group grew 30 % more hair than those in the placebo group.
Research On Prostate Supporting Compounds Like Cucurbitin
In traditional folk medicine, pumpkin seeds were used as a remedy for various conditions of the urinary system in addition to the prostate.
Two of the major components investigated are cucurbitin and cucurbitacin E. Cucurbitin is standardized for most seed extracts, and cucurbitacin E is an anti-inflammatory and triterpene common to pumpkin and gourd species.
In an earlier study, pumpkin seed extracts containing the pumpkin seed-derived compound curbicin showed usefulness for issues like benign prostatic hyperplasia, an age-related prostate enlargement condition that can cause difficulty with urination. Likewise, in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on middle-aged men, pumpkin seed oil was used in combination with saw palmetto oil and again demonstrated to be helpful for BPH.
In another 12-month study, the actual pumpkin seeds were identified to have medicinal potential and “led to a clinically relevant reduction in IPSS compared with the placebo.”
Other evidence additionally indicates that pumpkin seeds and pressed oils also contain constituents that can prevent the body from converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, which can contribute to prostate enlargement.
In some research, pumpkin seed oil supplementation over a 24-week period was shown to have a positive anabolic outcome for men with mild to moderate male androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness.
Read Also: How To Shrink Prostate Mayo Clinic Naturally
How Dht Causes Hair Loss And Prostate Problems
If youre a man, regularly producing too much dihydrotestosterone in your body can cause hair loss and eventually male pattern baldness.
Scientists believe DHT causes hair loss by attaching to your hair follicles and shortening their anagen phase. Over time, hairs become progressively weaker and finer, until they simply stop growing altogether.
In the case of prostate problems, DHT is known to promote cell proliferation in the prostate gland. This can result in an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia .
BPH is a painful condition that leads to a constriction of the urethra and discomfort and problems urinating. It is a growing problem for older males in the USA and other Western countries.
It is normal for men to have some DHT in our bodies, but the increase in prostate problems and early-onset male pattern baldness in recent decades, would seem to suggest our modern lifestyles and diets are producing too much of it. Environmental xenoestrogens are also another possible cause.
Regardless, most men would be likely to both feel better and have less health problems, like enlarged prostates and thinning hair, if less of their natural testosterone was converting to dihydrotestosterone.
What Causes Prostate Problems
Itâs not clear what causes the prostate to grow as men get older, but hormonal changes as you age could be to blame. Another theory is that too much DHT stimulates prostate cells, causing them multiply.
However, research shows that pumpkin seed oil blocks the actions of 5-alpha reductase, one of the enzymes involved in the conversion of testosterone into DHT. This could help prevent prostate cells multiplying.
Read Also: How To Reduce Prostate Swelling Naturally
How To Choose Pumpkin Seed Oil Supplements
What are the key factors to consider when buying pumpkin seed oil supplements?
Not all pumpkin seed oil supplements are created equal. Preserving the integrity of the seed is essential to lock in all the nutrients to reap its amazing health benefits.
It all starts by the way the oil is extracted. At GoodLifeProvision we use only the best cold-pressed pumpkin seed oil , derived from hand-selected pumpkin seeds and made in the USA.
Cold-pressed means to use pressure to extract the oil and is the BEST way to retrieve the delicate oil, unlike heat extraction which causes precious nutrients and antioxidants to be damaged and lost due to being exposed to heat in the extraction process.
Top reasons to choose GoodLifeProvision pumpkin seed oil include:
- Cold-pressed – locks in nutrients and antioxidants
- 100% pure – no added additives
- Suitable for men & women
- 1000mg Formula = 1 Month Supply
- Fanatical One-on-One Support!
Our pumpkin seed oil supplements are the REAL DEAL. Order now!
Pumpkin Seeds And Prostate
For centuries pumpkin seeds has been one of the first options for prostate disease in traditional medicine in many countries around the world. They are rich in zinc, carotenoids and phytosterols, substances that appear to be beneficial for prostate health.
Men with benign prostatic hyperplasia appear to have low levels of zinc in prostate fluid, so this is an element they need to increase in their diet. In addition, a carotenoid-rich diet has been found to reduce the risk of BPH, while phytosterols relieve the symptoms .
The intake of zinc and phytosterols through diet or supplements appears to help reduce an enlarged prostate .
Read Also: Prostate Cancer Perineural Invasion Radical Prostatectomy
What Should You Be Snacking On To Help Ease Your Symptoms
Suffering from prostate symptoms? Perhaps it’s time you take a look at what you’re eating. While many wouldn’t immediately equate their diet to their enlarged prostate symptoms, what you eat may be very beneficial. In this blog, I take a look at what you should be snacking on and how it can help to ease your symptoms.
Dr. Jen Tan
About Pumpkin Seed Oil
The oil from pumpkin seeds is sometimes pressed and used as a type of dietary oil. Quality pumpkin seed oil is always cold pressed and derived from raw pumpkin seeds, not roasted. This is to avoid destroying polyunsaturated fats and other nutrients.
Pumpkin seed oil is a source of carotenoids, phenolic compounds, vitamin E , fat soluble minerals and the essential fatty acids, Omega-6 and Omega-3. There is, however, a far greater ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 at about a 35:1 ratio. So, it isn’t a particularly good source of Omega-3 or alpha-linolenic acid like many manufacturers claim.
Again, to preserve nutritional value it is best consumed in its raw state, in dressings or drizzled over foods, not used as a cooking oil. Pumpkin seed oil is popular delicacy utilized in Slovenia and Austria in salad dressing, desserts and added to pumpkin soup.
You May Like: Dangers Of Prostate Massage
Possible Treatment For Metabolic Disease
A study published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture examined the use of pumpkin seed oil on metabolic disease in rats. Scientists found that pumpkin seed oil may be helpful in the prevention or treatment of metabolic disorder in rats who were fed a high-fat diet.
However, rodent studies don’t provide strong evidence that humans will experience the same benefit. These studies simply offer clues to researchers so that further studies can be developed.
How Was Pumpkin Seed Oil Discovered
Modern science is gradually rediscovering the extraordinary therapeutic properties of plants, particularly those which at first appear quite unremarkable. Such is the case with the pumpkin and the oil extracted from its seeds.
This oil has been produced in Europe for over 300 years from the genus Cucurbita pepo, the botanical name for a wide range of cultivars including squash and pumpkin. Ranging in colour from dark green to red, the oil is obtained by pressing the pumpkin’s seeds. It is not suitable for cooking as heating it produces a bitter taste and largely destroys its monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, the source of its therapeutic benefits.
Recommended Reading: What Is Perineural Invasion In Prostate Cancer
Pumpkin Seed Oil Dosage And Timing
Pumpkin seed oil may be both a preventative and useful treatment for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. A 2009 Korean study found statistically significant benefit for a group of men suffering from BPH, given just 320 mg of pumpkin seed oil a day for six months.
In fact, the pumpkin seed oil performed better in the study than saw palmetto oil and better than pumpkin seed oil and saw palmetto oil combined .
Another successful pumpkin seed oil study, involving patients with andrological disorders, used Peponen , at a dosage of three 300 mg capsules twice a day for the first month , then three 300 mg capsules once a day for the remaining months .
It now seems generally recommended to take at least 1000 mg a day as a good pumpkin seed oil dosage and most pumpkin seed oil capsules come in this dosage. Therapeutic doses for specific conditions may be higher, perhaps taking the same or double the dose several times a day.
Regarding timing, pumpkin seed oil would, like most fatty acid supplements, be best taken with a meal. If you were taking it as a preventative only once a day, it would probably be best with breakfast or the evening meal.
In larger therapeutic doses, a 1000 mg capsule or two could be taken with each main meal of the day. There would generally be more value in splitting doses throughout the day, rather than having it all at once.
It should not, however, be used as an oil for frying or in baking as high temperatures can damage its delicate structure.
Pumpkin Seed Oil And Men’s Health
Fall is back! Leaves, pumpkins, food, and family are all associated with autumn, and increasingly, so is mens health. Starting in September with Prostate Cancer Awareness month and peaking in Movember, fall is as much about mens reproductive health as it is about all things pumpkin-spiced.
Other compounds in the oil include healthy fatty acids, and unique DHT blockers. Prostate enlargement and male baldness are believed to be related to an overproduction of DHT so DHT-blocking compounds are very useful for men! The DHT blockers in pumpkin oil include a phytosterol called beta-sitosterol, and a mild steroid called delta-7-sterine. The large amount of beta-sitosterol in the oil stops nice Mr. Jekyll testosterone from turning into evil Mr. Hyde DHT, helping to reduce effects such as prostate gland enlargement, male pattern hair loss, and problematic or painful urination. In at least one study, pumpkin seed oil supplementation reduced the symptoms and pain from symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia without negative side effects.
Studies:
You May Like: Bone Lesions In Prostate Cancer
Pumpkin Seed Oil For Hair Loss And Prostate Health
Excessive levels of the hormone dihydrotestosterone is a common cause of both hair loss and prostate problems for men.
Pumpkin seed oil contains many beneficial health nutrients and two in particular that are believed to provide protection against DHT damage.
Heres how taking pumpkin seed oil regularly can help maintain healthy hair and prevent male prostate enlargement.
Improves Circulation And Hormonal Health
Pumpkin seed oil also has anti-coagulant properties and thus stimulates circulation in the limbs and reduces risk factors for blood clots. The naturally high phytoestrogen content of pumpkin seed oil is the reason it is recommended for menopausal women. It helps reduce hot flushes, headaches, joint pain, menstrual cramps and mood changes, and at the same time increases levels of good’ HDL-cholesterol.
You May Like: How Long Can You Take Lupron For Prostate Cancer
Prostate And Pumpkin Seed Oil
If you are a man over 50 or younger but have already noticed some disorders with your bladder, then pumpkin seed will become your favorite snack! It is a fact that most men after a certain age may experience changes in their prostate size and urination habits.
Pumpkin Seeds For Prostate
“When I was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate, a friend encouraged me to eat pumpkin seeds regularly. Three months later, I no longer wake up in the middle of the night to urinate.” –Adam Gregory, via e-mail
This old remedy seems to be making a comeback, reports Prevention‘s clinical herbal advisor Douglas Schar, DipPhyt, MCPP. “In the early 1900s, pumpkin seed was used to treat enlarged prostate symptoms and other urinary tract complaints,” he says.
More than half of US men over age 50 have problems related to enlarged prostate. Termed benign prostatic hyperplasia , it constricts the urethra, causing discomfort and urinary problems. Today in many parts of Europe, young men start eating pumpkin seeds for prostate protection later in life.
Pumpkin seeds contain protective compounds called phytosterols, which may be responsible for shrinking the prostate, says Schar. They also contain chemicals that may prevent some transformation of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone . High levels of DHT are associated with enlarged prostate.
Yummy Pumpkin Seed Snack
Combine a handful of pumpkin seeds with a handful of sunflower seeds, a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, and a dash each of garlic powder and soy sauce. Stir-fry over medium heat for 5 minutes, or until slightly brown.
Also Check: Female Equivalent Of Prostate
What Are The Side Effects Of Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin and its contents are primarily very safe, and there is little to no risk in consuming pumpkin seeds if consumed in the recommended amount. Side effects of pumpkin products are very rare.
- Weight increase: Because these tiny seeds are quite high in calories and fats, it may increase your weight if you eat more than recommended.
- Slow down bowel movement: Pumpkin seeds are very high in fiber therefore, they may slow down your bowel movement, and if you eat them too many or too often, then they may cause gaseous distension, bloating, or constipation . Therefore, consuming 30 g without shells daily is recommended to prevent this.
However, there is very little data available regarding the amount to be consumed during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Therefore, stick to the usual food amounts.
Nutritional Properties Of Pumpkin Seed Oil
With just the right mix of Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids, a host of vitamins, tryptophan, zinc, rich antioxidants and other potent nutrients, pumpkin seed oil packs a powerhouse of nutritional properties.
Containing an important amino acid called tryptophan, along with its high volume of fatty acids and antioxidants, pumpkin oil provides many helpful healing properties to both men and women. Due to its high carotenoids content, pumpkin seed oil is considered as an excellent oil for disease prevention and can help curb hair loss, protect skin and even potentially prevent cancer.
Also one important point to note is that although the pumpkin fruit and it’s seeds contain carbohydrates, the oil contains none, making pumpkin oil carb-free, with a glycemic index of zero.
Read Also: Does Enlarged Prostate Affect Ejaculation
Full Of Valuable Nutrients
Pumpkin seeds are also known as pepita a Mexican Spanish term.
Unlike the hard white seeds from a carving pumpkin, most pumpkin seeds bought at the supermarket dont have a shell.
These shell-free seeds are green, flat and oval.
One ounce of shell-free pumpkin seeds has roughly 151 calories, mainly from fat and protein.
In addition, a 1-ounce serving contains :
- Fiber: 1.7 grams
- Fat: 13 grams
- Vitamin K: 18% of the RDI
- Phosphorus: 33% of the RDI
- Manganese: 42% of the RDI
- Magnesium: 37% of the RDI
- Iron: 23% of the RDI
- Zinc: 14% of the RDI
- Copper: 19% of the RDI
They also contain a lot of antioxidants and a decent amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids, potassium, vitamin B2 and folate.
Pumpkin seeds and seed oil also pack many other nutrients and plant compounds that have been shown to provide health benefits .
Summary Pumpkin seeds are rich in antioxidants, iron, zinc, magnesium and many other nutrients. An ounce contains about 151 calories.
May Improve Sperm Quality
Low zinc levels are associated with reduced sperm quality and an increased risk of infertility in men .
Since pumpkin seeds are a rich source of zinc, they may improve sperm quality.
Evidence from one study in mice suggests they may also protect human sperm from damage caused by chemotherapy and autoimmune diseases .
Pumpkin seeds are also high in antioxidants and other nutrients that can contribute to healthy testosterone levels and improve overall health.
Together, all these factors may benefit fertility levels and reproductive function, especially in men.
Summary The high zinc content of pumpkin seeds may help improve sperm quality and fertility in men.
Don’t Miss: Prostate Definition Medical
Although The Percentage Of Cases In Men Is Much Lower Than In Women Male Breast Cancer Accounts For A Por
Here are 10 more facts about prostate cancer. There are a number of different treatments doctors recommend. In fact, most people don’t even know what it does. However, as with other types of cancer,. Prostate cancer is a common type of cancer in men, according to the mayo clinic. If breast cancer is diagnosed at an early enough stage, it’s treatable. Being armed with information is vital to begin the fight. Of course, your specialist is the main person whose advice you should follow but it doesn’t do anyone harm. If your diagnosis is thyroid cancer, you may be able to breathe a bit easier, as it’s one of the most treatable cancers when caugh. These include your blood pressure, heart rate and metab. What can we help you find? The earlier the detection of prostate cancer, the better the patient’s chance of survival is. Understanding liver cancer is important if you want to develop an effective treatment plan and live a long and healthy life.
Is Zinc Good For Prostate Cancer : Pumpkin Seed Oil Benefits Prostate & Heart Health – Dr. Axe : Enter search terms and tap the search button.. However, as with other types of cancer,. Understanding liver cancer is important if you want to develop an effective treatment plan and live a long and healthy life. Enter search terms and tap the search button. Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in men. The hormones that your thyroid gland produces help regulate several of your bodily functions.