I have just joined the Movember movement which is all about Men and Men’s health during the month of November. During this month myself and many other men will be growing a mustache to help raise awareness and support for men’s health and men’s cancer prevention. In addition to growing a mustache (this will be a first for me) I will also be posting articles related to men’s health to empower you throughout the month.
Since it is the beginning of November and I’m sitting here eating the roasted pumpkin seed from our recently carved Halloween pumpkins I thought it would be the perfect time to discuss how pumpkin seeds are beneficial for men’s health.
Pumpkin seeds also known as pepitas, are quite possibly the most important food when it comes to improving our health. They are an excellent source of omega-3 essential fats which can help lower your risk of heart disease, decrease blood pressure and lower your risk of many cancers.
Pumpkin seeds block the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which can increase the risk of prostate cancer, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and male patterned hair loss. Pumpkins seeds contain many other beneficial nutrients. Namely zinc, which is also important for improving prostate health and lowering risk of BPH. In addition to zinc we find significant amounts of manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and Vitamin K – all very important for bone health.
Pumpkin seeds are able to decrease inflammation associated with conditions like arthritis. Did you know that they can also help to lower your cholesterol levels? They contain one of the highest amounts of phytosterols which have been shown clinically to lower cholesterol levels, enhance immune response, and decrease the risk of certain cancers.
Sounds like the perfect food for us men! It is great as a snack or added to a salad, granola, trail mix, sautéed veggies, baked goods, or even into your next burger. Just a quarter cup of pumpkin seeds contain 46% of your daily intake of magnesium, 29% of your needed iron, 52% of manganese, 24% of copper, 17% of your needed protein, and 17% of necessary zinc for the day. Not bad, eh?
So enjoy those roasted pumpkin seeds as I have been from your recent carvings, or head out to the store and get yourself some pepitas. Join me this month in helping to raise awareness around men’s health and men’s cancer prevention. You can donate or join the cause at http://mobro.co/drmikesmith. Look for pictures of the stash as it develops.
