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Pumpkin seed

The use of plants or plant extracts in dietary supplements has long been used to prevent or control disorders of the human body. The prostrate gland is the source of several common disorders for men. These disorders include prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BHP is a benign condition that occurs when the male body begins to transform testosterone into dihydroxytestosterone (DHT) within the prostrate. This is primarily due to higher levels of the enzyme reductase which causes the conversion of testosterone to DHT which binds to prostatic receptor cells ultimately resulting in prostate enlargement. As the prostate grows larger it presses against the urethra and bladder, interfering with the normal flow of urine. BPH is a condition associated with aging which affects a large percentage of men over the age of fifty. The symptoms associated with BPH are many and varied. These symptoms include frequent, painful urination, an increased need to urinate, a need to urinate often, especially at night, difficulty in starting to urinate, and a weak or interrupted stream of urination, among others. Enlargement of the prostate gland can cause many uncomfortable symptoms including a need to urinate often, a weak or interrupted urinary stream, a feeling that you cannot empty your bladder completely, a feeling of delay or hesitation when you start to urinate, a feeling that you must urinate right away and continuing pain in the lower back, pelvis or upper thighs. There are natural elements that have known benefits in treating enlargement of the prostate gland and prostatitis. It is widely accepted that zinc has positive effects in reducing an enlarged prostate, but studies have indicated that zinc administered orally does not reach prostatic tissue very effectively. Therefore, the prostate does not reap its full benefits. Pumpkin seeds exhibit an anti-prostatic effect resulting from the sterols and fatty acids, such as palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids, contained in the oil fraction of the seeds. The oil fraction of pumpkin seed has also been shown to inhibit 5 alpha-reductase and the binding of DHT to androgen receptors. Tocopherol present in pumpkin seed oil may also regulate the tone of bladder smooth muscle. Pumpkin seeds have been used as a folk remedy for centuries, and it is believed that Hungarian gypsies, Ukrainians and Transylvanians do not suffer from BPH because they eat pumpkin seeds from childhood as part of their daily diet. Pumpkin seeds exhibit an anti-prostatic effect resulting from the sterols and fatty acids, such as palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids, contained in the oil fraction of the seeds. The oil fraction of pumpkin seed has also been shown to inhibit 5 alpha-reductase and the binding of DHT to androgen receptors. Tocopherol present in pumpkin seed oil may also regulate the tone of bladder smooth muscle.

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