Pumpkin seed as a dietary supplement
Pumpkin seeds, derived from the familiar Halloween pumpkin, are increasingly recognized as a dietary supplement with various proposed health benefits. Traditionally used in Indigenous American medicine, pumpkin seeds have been associated with treatments for kidney, bladder, and digestive issues. Today, they are particularly noted for their potential role in managing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), although evidence supporting their effectiveness is limited. Some studies suggest that pumpkin seed oil may improve urinary symptoms related to BPH, especially when combined with saw palmetto, yet further rigorous research is needed.
In addition to BPH, pumpkin seeds are linked to benefits for kidney stones, urinary tract health, cardiovascular health, and mental well-being. They are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals like magnesium and zinc, which may support eyesight, immune function, and bone health. Furthermore, pumpkin seeds contain compounds that may help promote restful sleep and manage stress. While generally considered safe as a food, users should be aware of potential risks associated with improper consumption, such as seeds becoming lodged in the esophagus. Overall, while pumpkin seeds offer promising nutritional benefits, more research is necessary to fully validate their medicinal claims.
Pumpkin seed as a dietary supplement
DEFINITION: Natural food product promoted as a dietary supplement for specific health benefits.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USE: Benign prostatic hyperplasia
OTHER PROPOSED USES: Kidney stones, parasites, urinary tract health, cardiovascular health, mental health, bone health, sleep, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic
Overview
The familiar Halloween pumpkin is a member of the squash family, native to North and Central America. The seeds of the pumpkin were used medicinally in Indigenous American medicine, primarily for the treatment of kidney, bladder, and digestive problems. From 1863 to 1936, the United States Pharmacopoeia listed pumpkin seeds as a treatment for intestinal parasites.
Uses and Applications
Pumpkin seed oil has become popular today as a treatment for prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH). This treatment was approved for use in 1985 by Germany’s Commission E. However, there is only limited meaningful evidence that pumpkin seed is helpful for this condition. Only double-blind, placebo-controlled studies can prove a treatment effective, and very few have been reported for pumpkin seed oil alone. One 2014 study in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine found men with BPH who took pumpkin seed oil saw significant improvements in urinary symptoms than did the placebo group. Further, multiple studies evaluated a combination product containing pumpkin seed oil and saw palmetto.
These studies suggested a benefit with the combination product. Still, because saw palmetto is thought to be effective for BPH, it is unclear whether pumpkin seed oil made any additional contribution. Another reported study on pumpkin seed oil alone lacked a placebo group, so its results prove little. (BPH is a condition that responds greatly to the power of suggestion, so it could have been assumed, even before conducting this trial, that people given pumpkin seed oil would show improvement.)
In highly preliminary research, pumpkin seed or its constituent cucurbitin has shown some activity against intestinal parasites. These studies, however, can only be regarded as preliminary investigations of a traditional use; they were not designed in such a way that they could prove effectiveness.
Two studies performed in Thailand hint that pumpkin seed snacks might help prevent kidney stones among children at high risk for developing them. However, this research looked only at chemical changes in the urine suggestive of a possible preventive effect, not at actual reduction of stones. Furthermore, the design of the studies did not reach modern standards.
Pumpkin seeds are nonetheless believed to provide essential nutritional benefits. Because they are rich in vitamin A, pumpkin seeds are believed to be beneficial for eyesight. Pumpkin seeds are also high in antioxidants, which have anti-inflammatory properties and assist with conditions such as arthritis. The potassium content in pumpkin seeds also promotes cardiac health. Pumpkin seeds may reduce cholesterol and lower blood pressure. Because they are bountiful in vitamin C, pumpkin seeds boost the immune system. Other cancer-related benefits can also be derived from their dietary intake.
Pumpkin seeds may help control overactive bladders in general, and they may help individuals manage chronic urinary tract infections. They also contain tryptophan and magnesium, which may help people manage stress and anxiety. They can also help promote restful sleep. The magnesium and zinc in pumpkin seeds may promote bone health by increasing bone strength and density. Additional research is needed to understand pumpkin seeds' role in these health conditions.
Dosage
In studies, the dose of pumpkin seed oil used for the treatment of BPH was 160 milligrams three times daily. For the prevention of kidney stones, the dose of pumpkin seed snack tried was 5 to 10 grams per day.
Safety Issues
As a widely eaten food, pumpkin seeds are presumed to be safe (though there have been cases in which incompletely chewed seeds have lodged in the esophagus). There are no known or suspected safety risks with pumpkin seed oil.
Bibliography
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"Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): Symptoms & Treatment." Cleveland Clinic, 18 Jan. 2024, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9100-benign-prostatic-hyperplasia. Accessed 16 Sept. 2024.
Caili, F., S. Huan, and L. Quanhong. "A Review on Pharmacological Activities and Utilization Technologies of Pumpkin." Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, vol. 61, 2006, pp. 73-80.
"The Health Benefits of Pumpkin." Cleveland Clinic, 6 June 2022, health.clevelandclinic.org/truth-about-the-great-pumpkin-its-good-for-you/#. Accessed 16 Sept. 2024.
Naghii, M. R., and M. Mofid. "Impact of Daily Consumption of Iron Fortified Ready-to-eat Cereal and Pumpkin Seed Kernels (Cucurbita pepo) on Serum Iron in Adult Women." Biofactors, vol. 30, 2007, pp. 19-26.
Richter, Amy. "Top 11 Science-Based Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds." Healthline, 11 Jan. 2023, www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-benefits-of-pumpkin-seeds. Accessed 16 Sept. 2024.
Suphiphat, V., et al. "The Effect of Pumpkin Seeds Snack on Inhibitors and Promoters of Urolithiasis in Thai Adolescents." Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand, vol. 76, 1993, pp. 487-493.
Suszynski, Marie. "Seeds: What's Inside Counts Big for Your Nutrition." Mayo Clinic Connect, 7 Sept. 2021, connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/take-charge-healthy-aging/newsfeed-post/seeds-whats-inside-counts-big-for-your-nutrition. Accessed 16 Sept. 2024.