Prostate problems -- including benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer -- are medical conditions that affect men of all ages. However, older men are at heightened risk for many common issues involving the prostate. Like all organs of your body, the health of your prostate is largely influenced by the foods in your diet. Pumpkin is an antioxidant-rich food that has been shown to help men reduce the effects of certain prostate diseases.
The Prostate
Your prostate, a key part of your reproductive system, is a small organ made up of two lobes that is located near the testicles. The prostate's chief function is to nourish your sperm by producing semen, the nutrient-rich transport system for sperm.
BPH
Benign prostatic hyperplasia, commonly referred to as BPH, is a medical condition where the prostate becomes enlarged. BPH is more common in men over 50, according to the National Kidney & Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. BPH can cause pain and discomfort during urination. Research published in the December 2009 "Nutrition Research and Practice" found that supplementing with pumpkin seed oil was effective at reducing BPH symptoms in a group of 47 men with BPH with an average age of approximately 53. Pumpkin oil works by blocking the action of the enzyme 5-α-reductase, which increases prostate size.
Prostate Cancer
More than 200,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the United States every year, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Along with consuming an overall healthy diet, not smoking and staying physically active, pumpkin seeds can help fight cancer by reducing the risk of the DNA damage that precedes cancerous cell formation, according to the July 2009 "Food Research International." Pumpkin seeds are rich in antioxidants that block the activity of free radicals, the molecules that cause DNA damage in the pancreas. However, no study has found that pumpkin seeds reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
Considerations
Although pumpkin is a healthy food, you should receive clearance from your doctor before consuming pumpkin regularly or taking pumpkin-derived dietary supplements. No research has linked dietary pumpkin intake with prostate health. If you're having issues with your prostate, check in with a physician who specializes in male health.
References
- National Kidney & Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: "Prostate Enlargement: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia"
- "Nutrition Research and Practice"; "Effects of Pumpkin Seed Oil and Saw Palmetto Oil in Korean Men with Symptomatic Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia"; H Hong et al.; December 2009
- CDC: "Prostate Cancer Statistics"
- "Food Research International"; "Antioxidant and Lipoxygenase Inhibitory Activities of Pumpkin Seed Extracts"; M Xanthopouloua et al.; July 2009
