Pumpkin seeds for chronic prostatitis

Despite the fact that, according to the pharmacopoeia, the seeds of the common pumpkin (Semina Cucurbitae pepo) is a remedy against helminths, very popular in alternative medicine pumpkin seeds from prostatitis, while the oil obtained from these seeds for prostate diseases is also used by official medicine. [1]

Indications Pumpkin seeds for prostatitis.

Pumpkin seeds can be used to expel intestinal parasites (tapeworms), constipation, overactive bladder syndrome, benign prostatic hyperplasia (to reduce dysuric symptoms), chronic prostatitis (including bacterial and congestive), gallbladder dyskinesia (as a choleretic), lipid metabolism disorders and elevated blood cholesterol, as well as liver obesity.

It is useful to consume pumpkin seeds to control blood glucose levels (in diabetes) and to prevent kidney stones. [2]

Read also - Treatment with pumpkin seeds: indications, contraindications

Prostatitis treatment with pumpkin seeds

What are the benefits of pumpkin seeds in prostatitis, and what is the reason for it? Experts attribute the benefits of pumpkin seeds, as well as pumpkin seed oil for the prostate gland to the specific physiological effects of the biologically active substances contained in them, many of which are natural antioxidants. The latter factor is particularly important because the high susceptibility of prostate cells to oxidative stress and its role in chronic glandular diseases has already been proven. [3]

The complex of biologically active substances of pumpkin seeds includes:

• B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B4, pantothenic and folic acid, pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin);
• Vitamin C (increases cellular resistance to oxidation and reduces the intensity of inflammation);
• Vitamin K (normalizes natural cell apoptosis);
• carotenoids, including β-carotene, lutein, and lycopene, which are antioxidants, and lycopene reduces prostate specific antigen levels in the blood);
• vitamin E, including alpha-, gamma- and delta-tocopherol (19 mg per 100 g), which has the properties of a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from free radicals;
• polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic, arachidonic, eicosadiene);
• amino acids (arginine, alanine, glutamine, leucine, lysine, proline, tryptophan, etc.). For example, tryptophan increases immune activity and exhibits antioxidant properties, and, secondly, is transformed in the body into serotonin (which reduces depression) and increases the synthesis of melatonin. And melatonin, the researchers found, activates intracellular prostate enzymes (glutathione-S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase, which also have antioxidant properties;
• lignans, which contribute to the normalization of general metabolism and cellular resistance to peroxyl radicals;
• Phytosterols or sterols (alpha-spinasterol, stigmastatrienol), which are thought to be able to reduce hyperstimulation of prostate cells by androgens (testosterone and dihydrotestosterone);
• Phenolic compounds with antioxidant and antiproliferative properties (hydroxybenzoic protocatechin, coumaric, caffeic, ferulic, vanillic and sinapic acids) help to resist pathogens and fight inflammation;
• macro- and microelements (phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, selenium). Pumpkin seeds are especially rich in zinc, which plays a very important role in protein-carbohydrate metabolism and DNA synthesis; increases prostate cell immunity, testosterone production, and improves sperm quality (promoting male fertility).

Contraindications

Pumpkin seeds are contraindicated in individual hypersensitivity or allergies; inflammatory diseases of the digestive system and GI tract (hyperacid gastritis, peptic ulcer, colitis); with pancreatitis; presence of gallstones; pronounced arterial hypotension. [4]

Side effects Pumpkin seeds for prostatitis.

Intestinal problems in the form of stomach blockage and diarrhea may occur.

Storage conditions

Pumpkin seeds should be stored in a cool, dry place.

Shelf life

No more than a year.

Recipes with pumpkin seeds for prostatitis

How to prepare pumpkin seeds from prostatitis? At home, the roasting time of pumpkin seeds should not exceed 15 minutes - so that unwanted changes in the structure of fats do not occur. It is recommended to eat a handful of seeds daily (40-50 g).

And to maximize the retention of all the useful substances, it is advised to use raw seeds, and with the peel. It is only necessary to grind them to the state of groats: first grind them, and then grind them in a coffee grinder.

After that, you can prepare pumpkin seeds with honey for prostatitis, taking two tablespoons of honey per tablespoon of ground seeds and mixing well. The mixture should be stored in the refrigerator, its method of application and dosage: take orally by teaspoon once a day.

Tincture of pumpkin seeds from prostatitis and overactive bladder is prepared as follows: 150-170 g dried (not fried) seeds crushed together with the peel, pour two glasses of vodka, the bottle is tightly closed and insist in a dark place at room temperature for two to three weeks (periodically shaking the bottle). The tincture is taken twice a day 20-30 drops, diluting them in a tablespoon of water (before use, the remedy should be well shaken).

Analogs

There are medicines and biologically active supplements from pumpkin seeds: Prostamed tablets (containing, in addition to pumpkin seed powder, dried extracts of goldenseal root and aspen leaves); Prostalam capsules (dietary supplements with pumpkin seed extract, sabal palm fruit and eleutherococcus roots, zinc chelate, selenoxanthene and brewer's yeast); dietary supplements in tablet form - Pumpkin seed extract (with vitamin C and selenium); pumpkin seed oil extract; thick paste (urbech) from pumpkin seeds.

Reviews of urologists regarding the use of pumpkin seeds in the treatment of urinary disorders and prostate diseases, as well as the results of foreign clinical studies give every reason to use pumpkin seeds from prostatitis in the complex treatment of this common disease.