Can Pumpkin Seed Powder Help Improve Prostate Health?

Pumpkins aren’t just everyone’s favourite autumn food. They also pack a big nutritional punch that could prevent some serious health scares, especially for men.

Prostate enlargement symptoms will affect one third of men over the age of 50 in the UK. Inflammation or enlargement of the prostate may cause trouble urinating that can keep you awake at night or even prove to be painful.

Read on to learn about how pumpkin seed powder can help improve prostate health.

A man’s prostate has the ability to become enlarged with age. The first time a man’s prostate grows is during puberty when it doubles in size; when he hits 25, the prostate again goes through a grow spurt and continues to grow throughout life.

As the prostate grows, the bladder wall becomes thicker and the enlarged organ may press against the urethra to cause urinary retention. The prostate is essential to man’s ability to reproduce. Its main job is to create the fluid needed for semen.

An enlarged prostate is not only uncomfortable; it can also lead to other health issues. Blockage of the urinary tract may cause the following:

• Kidney and bladder damage
• Urinary tract infections
• Urinary retention
• Blood in the urine
• Bladder stones

Kidney damage and the development of cancer are the most serious risks of an enlarged prostate.

The body relies on the urinary tract to help move toxins out of the body. When an enlarged prostate prevents proper elimination of urine, toxins may build up and contribute to an acidic environment in the body.

For more information about the best source of water for flushing toxins through the urinary tract, see our article about antioxidant alkaline water.

Pumpkin seeds have been shown to provide support for prostate health. According to a 2011 study, pumpkin seeds may be useful in the management of prostate enlargement by reducing the size of the organ.

Another study published in Nutrition Research and Practice stated that pumpkin seeds were a safe and effective way to treat prostate enlargement. The study found that men with enlarged prostates who consumed pumpkin seed improved their prostate system score, quality of life, and their urinary flow rate returned to normal. Quality of life was improved after three months of taking the pumpkin seeds and urinary flow returned to normal after six months.

Most recently, a 2016 study found that pumpkin seeds were effective in cell growth inhibition of the prostate, which may otherwise rapidly develop into a tumour. Pumpkin seeds were also shown to be safe for the treatment of an enlarged prostate.

In addition to improving prostate health, pumpkin seeds contain almost 12 grams of protein per serving and have powerful anti-inflammatory benefits. They may be also have the ability to improve mood, reduce insomnia, prevent hair loss in men, support heart health, treat an over-active bladder and prevent diabetes.

Powdered foods are a brilliant way to get the nutrition you need without the fuss. They can be added to smoothies, sprinkled over salads or incorporated into baked recipes.

Good-quality pumpkin seed protein powders contain all the amino acids and are high in clean vegan protein. In fact, contains more than twice the protein of eating raw pumpkin seeds alone, and they contain all the relevant active compounds found in raw pumpkin seeds that make it useful for supporting prostate health.

In the past, we stocked the Omega Nutrition brand and can vouch for its quality. The powder is made from nothing but the highest quality defatted organic pumpkin seeds; it's free from nuts, sugar, gluten, dairy and any preservatives for the freshest-tasting protein powder you’ve ever had.

Pumpkin seed protein powder can be added to just about anything from salads to applesauce, cereal and smoothies. If you're worried about prostate health, it's certainly worth incorporating into your healthy eating plan. Give it a go!