The Great Pumpkin Seed Debate: Benefits for Prostate Health

by | Oct 17, 2017

Pumpkin seeds and prostate health

Fall is upon us, and a season staple is the pumpkin! They’re everywhere. In that spirit, we want to take the opportunity to discuss The Great Pumpkin Seed Debate.

 We have continuous questions regarding potential prostate supplements and ways to keep your prostate healthy. Can pumpkin seeds improve prostate health? What are some other common basic preventative actions you can take?

Here are our answers:

The Truth About Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed oil have become popular treatments for the reduction of prostate enlargement. Pumpkin seeds are packed with nutrition and are proven to support prostate health. This is due to three reasons.

  • They are rich in zinc. Normal prostate function relies on optimal zinc levels. For this reason, a handful of pumpkin seeds a 2-3 times a week can improve your prostate health.
  •  They may limit prostate enlargement. Pumpkin seeds contain phytosterol, which is a protective compound that may be responsible for reducing prostate enlargement.
  • They potentially reduce BPH symptoms. BPH stands for benign prostatic hyperplasia. BPH is caused by changes in hormone balance. Pumpkin seed oil can help prevent the multiplication of overstimulated prostate cells, levelling hormones.

Common Preventative Actions

Some other common basic treatments for an enlarged prostate include:

  • Avoiding certain foods, such as, poultry, caffeine, spicy foods, and alcohol. 

Poultry contains arachidonic acid, which leads to increased inflammation. Caffeine and alcohol contain diuretic properties, which can cause irritation, inflammation, and infections. Any type of spicy food will cause irritation in the prostate.

  • Doctor approved prostate supplements.

Super Beta Prostate contains ingredients that can reduce the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Alpha blockers can also be used to make urination easier by relaxing the muscles in the prostate. Please consult with a medical professional before adding supplements into your diet. 

  • Being more physically active.

Research has shown that men who are more physically active are less likely to suffer from BPH and other prostate-related health issues. This doesn’t mean you have to join a gym. Simply, take a walk outside a few nights a week, or take the stairs at work to create a more active lifestyle.

The Process

  1. Any male who is experiencing symptoms focused around their prostate will need to make an appointment with a urology doctor’s office to begin the discovery process to determine a diagnosis.
  2. The patient will fill out an AVA score. 
  3. They will write down every symptom they are experiencing and rate the pain on a scale of 1-10.
  4. The doctor will then conduct a urinalysis and a rectal exam. Depending on the results of these tests, they will discuss the patient’s treatment options, which can be anywhere from avoiding certain foods to surgery.

If you are experiencing any prostate symptoms, please make an appointment with one of our locations for a prostate check!