Saturday 16 March 2013

Today’s Amazing Fact: Pumpkin Seeds lowers Cholesterols!


You may be throwing away one of the most valuable parts of your  pumpkin. The seeds inside the pumpkin, also known as ‘pepitas’, are not only flavorful, but they are also packed full of nutrition. You can purchase pumpkin seeds any time of year, but the best ones are found in the fall inside your fresh pumpkin.

The pumpkin seed is a culinary ingredient as well as a medicinal treatment. Native Americans have used pumpkin seeds for treating medical conditions for centuries. Today pumpkin seeds are particularly popular in Mexico, where they are called pepitas. Mexico produces most of the pumpkin seeds consumed in the United States. The seeds are sold plain, salted or roasted and with or without the shell.

Cholesterol-Lowering Benefits
Pumpkin seed oil, extracted from the seeds, is the subject of another study, published in the July 2008 issue of "Phytotherapy Research." When the rats fed pumpkin seed oil were compared with rats fed corn oil, the PSO recipients had lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, lower triglycerides and higher HDL (good) cholesterol levels than the rats who had received corn oil. The PSO had also reduced blood pressure levels.

Pumpkin seeds are very rich in compounds called "phytosterols." According to the World's Healthiest Foods (WHF) encyclopedia, phytosterols are very much like the cholesterol that is inside the body. When enough phytosterols are in the body, it is believed that they reduce the levels of cholesterol in the blood. WHF also states that they boost the immune system and lower cancer risks.

Anti-Inflammatory Protection
Pumpkin seeds contain a high number of anti-oxidants. A study published in the January 2005 issue of the medical journal "Pharmacological Research" shows that pumpkin seed oil (PSO) works to reduce inflammation that causes arthritis. The effects of pumpkin seed oil are compared to those of indomethacin, a commonly used anti-inflammatory drug, and the oil is shown to be just as efficient in relieving arthritic inflammation.

Essential Minerals
Pumpkin seeds are loaded with essential minerals. The WHF states that just 1/4 cup of raw pumpkin seeds offers 1.04 mg of manganese. This is over 50 per cent of the RDA (recommended daily allowance.) Manganese is needed to keep bones strong, normalize blood sugar and regulate cholesterol. Other necessary elements in pumpkin seeds are magnesium, phosphorous, tryptophan, iron, copper, protein, zinc and vitamin K.

Pumpkin seeds make a great snack eaten raw or roasted, and they also are a great addition to oatmeal cookie recipes.

Nutrients
Pumpkin seeds are a high-energy snack. A 1-oz. serving contains 158 calories, 8.6 g of protein, 1.7 g of fiber, 2.5 mg of iron, 168 mg of magnesium, 350 mg of phosphorus, 229 mg of potassium and 2.21 mg of zinc. The protein content of pumpkin seeds is particularly high. A handful of seeds between meals improves energy levels without spiking blood sugar.

Omega-3s
Pumpkin seeds contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, healthy, unsaturated fats necessary for the proper functioning of the body. Omega-3 fatty acids treat inflammation and may lower risk for cardiovascular disease, arthritis and cancer. The requirement for omega-3 fatty acids is particularly essential for brain health and may improve its cognitive and behavioral functions.

Prostate Support
Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or enlarged prostate, is one of the most common hormone-related illnesses that men encounter. The primary symptom is frequent urination, which ordinarily develops for men by age 50. Beta-sitosterol is a plant-based compound found in pumpkin seeds that improves urinary flow in cases of enlarged prostate, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Intestinal Parasite Treatment
Pumpkin seeds are a recommended treatment for intestinal parasite infections, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Intestinal parasite infections can be acquired when a person comes into contact with contaminated food or water. Parasites are often acquired during travel to foreign countries. The harmful parasites found in the United States are giardia and cryptosporidium. Parasites cause stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, rectal itching, fatigue and weight loss. A doctor would complete fecal testing for a definitive diagnosis.

References


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