Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds

Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds


  • Crunchy, delicious pumpkin seeds are high in calories, about 559 calories per 100 g. In addition; they are packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and numerous health promoting antioxidants.
  • Their high caloric content mainly comes from protein and fats. On the positive side, the nuts are especially rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) like oleic acid (18:1) that helps lower bad LDL cholesterol and increases good HDL cholesterol in the blood. Research studies suggest that Mediterranean diet, which is liberal in monounsaturated fatty acids help to prevent coronary artery disease and strokes by favoring healthy blood lipid profile.
  • The seeds contain good-quality protein. 100 g seeds provide 30 g or 54% of recommended daily allowance. In addition, the seeds are an excellent source of amino acid tryptophan and glutamate. Tryptophan is converted into serotonin and niacin. Serotonin is a beneficial neuro-chemical often labeled as nature's sleeping pill. Further, tryptophan is a precursor of B-complex vitamin, niacin (60 mg of tryptophan = 1mg niacin).
  • Glutamate is required in the synthesis of γ-amino butyric acid (GABA). GABA, an anti-stress neurochemical in the brain, helps reducing anxiety, nervous irritability, and other neurotic conditions.
  • Pumpkin seeds are a very good source of anti-oxidant vitamin E; contain about 35.10 mg of tocopherol-gamma per 100 g (about 237% of RDA). Vitamin E is a powerful lipid soluble antioxidant. It prevents tissue cells from the free radical mediated oxidant injury. Thus, it helps maintain the integrity of mucus membranes and skin by protecting from harmful oxygen-free radicals. 
  • Pumpkin kernels are an also excellent source of B-complex group of vitamins such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine) and folates. These vitamins work as co-factors for various enzymes during cellular substrate metabolism in the human body. In addition, niacin helps to reduce LDL-cholesterol levels in the blood. Along with glutamate, it enhances GABA activity inside the brain, which in turn reduces anxiety and neurosis. 
  • Furthermore, its seeds contain very good levels of essential minerals like copper, manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium. Just as in pine nuts, pumpkin seeds too are very rich in manganese (provide 4543 mg per 100 g, about 198% of daily-recommended intake). Manganese is an all-important co-factor for antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. It is therefore, consumption of pumpkin kernels helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful oxygen-free radicals.
Medicinal values of pumpkin seeds.

Research studies suggest that pumpkin seed to have DHEA (Di hydro epi-androstenedione) blocking actions. Thus, it cuts the risk of prostate and ovarian cancers.

In addition, experimental studies suggest that certain phytochemical compounds in pumpkin seed oil may have a role in prevention of diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease).

This Halloween, don't forget to save those pumpkin seeds after you scoop them out. Pumpkin seeds are not only delicious but also provide many health benefits. Here are ten:

Prostate Protection
They promote overall prostate health and alleviate the difficult urination associated with an enlarged prostate.

Improved Bladder Function
In some studies, pumpkin seed extracts improved bladder function in animals.

Depression Treatment
They contain L-tryptophan, a compound naturally effective against depression.

Prevention of Osteoporosis
Because they are high in zinc, pumpkin seeds are a natural protector against osteoporosis. Low intake of zinc is linked to higher rates of osteoporosis.

Natural Anti-Inflammatory
Pumpkin seeds effectively reduce inflammation without the side effects of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Prevention of Kidney Stones
They prevent calcium oxalate kidney stone formation, according to studies.

Treatment of Parasites They are used in many cultures as a natural treatment for tapeworms and other parasites. Studies also show them to be effective against acute schistosomiasis, a parasite contracted from snails.

Great Source of Magnesium
1/2 cup of pumpkin seeds contains 92% of your daily value of magnesium, a mineral in which most Americans are deficient.

Lower Cholesterol
Pumpkin seeds contain phytosterols, compounds that that have been shown to reduce levels of LDL cholesterol.

Cancer Prevention
The same phytosterols that lower cholesterol also protect against many cancers.
Pumpkin seeds contain phytochemicals, or plant chemicals, that may be beneficial for prostate health. They're available as snacks, or you can remove them from pumpkins and roast them at home. Pumpkin seed oil is also available as a dietary supplement. Speak to your doctor before taking pumpkin seed oil or using pumpkin seeds to treat prostate problems.

Pumpkin Seeds and your Prostate

Phytosterols
Phytosterols are plant chemicals that structurally resemble cholesterol. They may slow down the absorption of cholesterol in your digestive tract and reduce your total cholesterol and LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, cholesterol levels. Phytosterols may inhibit the growth of breast or prostate cancer or reduce your risk of these cancers. They may also reduce the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Foods high in phytochemicals include unrefined vegetable oils, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds such as pumpkin seeds.

The Prostate

The prostate is part of the male reproductive system. It's a walnut-shape gland that surrounds the upper part of the urethra. Urine and semen are carried out of the body through the urethra. Prostatic fluid is forced through tiny ducts into the urethra during ejaculation, where it mixes with sperm and other fluids to form semen.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as BPH, is enlargement of the prostate. The prostate generally gets larger as men grow older, so elderly males are at greater risk for BPH than younger men. Symptoms of BPH include dribbling after urination, having a weak urine stream and being unable to urinate. Men may also have trouble emptying the bladder or may be incontinent. Waking at night to urinate is a common symptom, and people with BPH may have pain with urination or blood in the urine.

Pumpkin Seeds and BPH

Pumpkin seeds may reduce the symptoms of BPH by inhibiting testosterone, a male hormone that may be involved with the development of BPH. They also work as anti-inflammatory agents. Pumpkin seed oil may be as effective as saw palmetto for treatment of BPH, according to a study published in 2009 in "Nutrition Research and Practice." The researchers found pumpkin seed oil reduced symptoms and improved quality of life as much as saw palmetto and more than a placebo.


Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/521699-pumpkin-seeds-prostate-health/#ixzz29WKd5Smi http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/pumpkin-seeds.html
http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/10-health-benefits-of-pumpkin-seeds.html



 

6 comments:

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