Resource: https://www.healthline.com/health/mens-health/pumpkin-seeds-and-prostate#TOC_TITLE_HDR_1
Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD — By Chaunie Brusie — Updated on December 19, 2016
Effects on mental health
Traditionally, pumpkin seed oil and pumpkin seeds in general have been said to boost mood and ward off depression. Past findings from the British Journal of Psychiatry, for example, showed positive results from giving pumpkin seeds to children with depression.
Effects on hair and skin
Pumpkin seed oil has been linked to positive effects on hair growth, especially in men. One studyTrusted Source found that men who took 400 milligrams of pumpkin seed oil every day for 24 weeks actually had 40 percent more hair growth than men in the placebo group. No adverse effects were found.
Effects on heart health
You may know that saturated fats aren’t good for healthy hearts. But it can still be confusing to know which fats are OK to eat. Pumpkin seed oil is actually an unsaturated fat, meaning it’s the “good” kind of fat. Unsaturated fats like pumpkin seed oil can actually promote a healthy heart.
One animal studyTrusted Source found that pumpkin seed oil not only helped lower cholesterol, but it also had anti-inflammatory effects. The oil has also been shown to lower blood pressure in mice.
Check out: Good fats, bad fats, and heart disease »
Effects on prostate health
Pumpkin seed oil, along with palmetto oil, has shown promising results as an alternative therapy for benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH). BPH is a common condition where the prostate becomes enlarged. This can be extremely painful and block the flow of urine.
A studyTrusted Source of Korean men with BPH found that pumpkin seed oil may act as an effective alternative medicine with no adverse reactions. Participants in the study saw an improvement in symptoms, including better urinary flow. Researchers found that optimal results occurred when pumpkin seed oil was paired with palmetto oil.
Effects on urinary health
In general, pumpkin seed oil seems to have a positive effect on the urinary tract. This tract is made up of the kidneys, the bladder, and the urethra, which connects the bladder to the urinary opening.
Researchers in a small studyTrusted Source gave participants between 500 and 1,000 milligrams of pumpkin seed oil. The participants saw a drastic improvement in their overactive bladder symptoms, including wetting themselves at night.
Effects on menopause
In one studyTrusted Source, pumpkin seed oil was found to help relieve some of the symptoms of menopause. This included a decrease in hot flashes, joint pain, and headaches. The women taking pumpkin seed oil also had an increase in their HDL levels, which is the “good” cholesterol.
How can I get pumpkin seed oil?
Like flax seed, pumpkin seed oil can be taken in a liquid or concentrated pill form. This can be purchased in health stores or through an online health retailer. Most of the time, people take pumpkin seed oil in the pill form. This is generally because it’s more convenient and is easier to swallow. It’s commonly sold in 1,000-milligram capsules, but you can find it in different dosages.
Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD — By Chaunie Brusie — Updated on December 19, 2016
Can Pumpkin Seeds Improve My Prostate Health?
Many men have problems with their prostate as they age. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that produces semen.
Pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas, are the edible seeds of a pumpkin. Whether you enjoy them raw or in the form of pumpkin seed oil, they are packed with nutrition and may support prostate health. Because of this, pumpkin seeds are a popular folk remedy for men’s health issues.
What the research says
According to a 2014 studyTrusted Source, both pumpkin seed oil and a combination of pumpkin seed oil and saw palmetto oil may improve benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms. Researchers concluded that pumpkin seed oil and saw palmetto oil are safe and effective alternative treatments for BPH.
An earlier study found that pumpkin seed oil could block certain types of prostate growth. The study looked at rats induced with testosterone and the alpha-blocker drug Prazosin. Testosterone is thought to play a role in the development of BPH, although it’s not completely clear why.
One theory is that dihydrotestosterone, a powerful metabolite of testosterone, builds up in the prostate and causes it to grow. The phytochemicals in pumpkin seeds may reduce the effects of dihydrotestosterone on the prostate. They may also block the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone.
Zinc is critical to normal prostate function. In fact, a normal prostate has the highest levels of zinc in the body. Results of a 2011 studyTrusted Source showed that malignant prostate tissue and prostate tissue from men with BPH had significantly less zinc than normal prostate tissue. The study also found an increase in urinary zinc excretion.
Pumpkin seedsTrusted Source are rich in zinc. One cup provides almost half the recommended daily allowance (RDA). More studies are needed to link the zinc in pumpkin seeds to prostate health. But it’s thought that eating a handful of seeds several times a week may help keep your zinc levels optimal.
How to add pumpkin seeds to your regimen
There isn’t a standard recommended dosage of pumpkin seeds to treat prostate problems. Some doctors recommend eating a handful daily for general health benefits.
Commercially prepared raw or roasted pumpkin seeds are available at most grocery stores or natural health food stores. Organic brands are grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.
If you have access to a pumpkin, you can prepare your own pumpkin seeds by following these steps:
Remove the pumpkin seeds from the inside of the pumpkin. Be sure to rinse or wipe off any attached pumpkin pulp.
Spread the seeds in a single layer on a paper bag or on paper towels. Allow the seeds to dry overnight.
If you don’t want to eat the seeds raw, you can cook them. Place them on a cookie sheet and roast them in the oven for about 20 minutes at 170°F (77°C).
For added flavor, toss the seeds with a little olive oil and sprinkle them with sea salt or your favorite seasonings.
Cold-pressed pumpkin seed oil is usually made from shelled seeds, although some manufacturers also use the shells. It may be eaten straight, added to smoothies, or drizzled over salads and vegetables. Pumpkin seed oil goes rancid easily and should be stored in a cool, dark place, or refrigerated to extend its shelf life.
Risks and warnings
Risks
Pumpkin seeds are high in fiber, so eating large amounts may cause gas or bloating.
Eating large amounts of pumpkin seeds at once may cause constipation.
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Most people eat pumpkin seeds in moderation without experiencing negative side effects. You can eat raw or roasted pumpkin seeds and shells. You can also eat hulled pumpkin seeds. Both are available at natural food stores and many grocery stores.
Pumpkin seed shells are chewy. Their edges may also become sharp during chewing. If you have any difficulty chewing food or swallowing, you may want to stick to eating hulled varieties.
Pumpkin seeds are high in fiber. One cup contains almost 12 grams. If you eat too many, you may experience gas and bloating. Fiber helps bulk up stool and prevents constipation in the long run, but eating a lot of pumpkin seeds at once may actually cause constipation.
As you snack on pumpkin seeds, keep in mind they’re high in calories and fat. One cup contains around 285 calories and 12 grams of fat. Regularly eating too many may cause weight gain.
Other health benefits of pumpkin seeds
Benefits
Pumpkin seed oil may treat hair loss.
Virgin pumpkin seed oil has anti-inflammatory properties.
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Pumpkin seed oil may help treat hair loss in men with androgenetic alopecia, according to a 2014 studyTrusted Source. The study followed 76 men with the condition for 24 weeks. Participants were given either 400 milligrams of pumpkin seed oil daily or a placebo. The men who received pumpkin seed oil experienced a 40 percentTrusted Source increase in hair growth.
Pumpkin seeds are a great source of magnesium. Eating just one ounce of pumpkin seeds can give you 74 percentTrusted Source of the RDA. Magnesium helps keep you energetic. It also helps regulate blood pressure, supports muscle and nerve function, and helps keep blood sugar levels stable.
A 2015 studyTrusted Source found that replacing dietary oils that are high in saturated fat with pumpkin seed oil improves cholesterol and triglycerides and their effects. Virgin pumpkin seed oil also showed anti-inflammatory abilities.
Pumpkin seed oil may also help overactive bladder. Results of a small 2014 studyTrusted Source showed pumpkin seed oil significantly reduced overactive bladder symptoms, such as urinary frequency, urgency, and urgency incontinence.
Pumpkin seeds are also a good source of other minerals, including:
potassium
calcium
iron
copper
manganese
Pumpkin seeds also contain small amounts of vitamins that include:
vitamin A
thiamin
riboflavin
niacin
folate
The bottom line
Pumpkin seeds have the potential to be an effective treatment and preventative for prostate problems and other conditions. More research is needed before they become a mainstream complementary treatment.
If you choose to eat pumpkin seeds for prostate health, you may see benefits within a few weeks, but there are no guarantees. Results will depend on your health situation, how often you eat the seeds, and the quality of the seeds. At the very least, you can replace unhealthy snacks with pumpkin seeds and enjoy the bounty of nutrients they offer.
