Pumpkin seeds are packed with essential nutrients, classifying them as a superfood and traditional remedy for supporting various aspects of health. Some people believe pumpkin seeds may help with parasitic concerns, which affect at least 12 million Americans to some extent.
This article explores the potential benefits of consuming pumpkin seeds for supporting the body's defenses against parasites and ways to incorporate them into a healthy meal plan.
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Pumpkin Seed Nutrition
Pumpkin seeds are loaded with nutrients that may provide an array of health benefits.
Nutrient Profile
The key nutrients present in a 1-ounce serving of pumpkin seeds are as follows:
- Calories: 163 calories
- Protein: 9 grams
- Fat: 14 grams
- Carbohydrates: 4 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Iron: 2 milligrams
- Magnesium: 156 milligrams
- Phosphorus: 333 milligrams
- Potassium: 223 milligrams
- Zinc: 2 milligrams
- Folate: 16 micrograms
- Choline: 18 milligrams
- Calcium: 15 milligrams
The main types of fats present in pumpkin seeds are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids rather than saturated fats.
Pumpkin seeds also contain a compound called cucurbitacin, a member of the Cucurbitaceae and other plant families. Cucurbitacin is known for its potential health-supporting properties.
Pumpkin seeds’ unique composition of being loaded with fiber, protein, and heart-healthy fats is part of the reason these superfoods are so nutritious.
These seeds are also a good source of tryptophan, delta-7-sterols, tocopherols, carotenoids, and numerous other health-promoting phytochemicals.
Health Benefits
Research supports the many health benefits associated with pumpkin seeds. For example, pumpkin seeds may:
- Support the body's defenses against parasitic concerns
- Support sperm production in men
- Help support wound healing
- Support digestive health
- Support a healthy balance of microbes
- Support a healthy inflammatory response
- Support prostate health
- Support healthy blood sugar levels
- Support heart health
- Support overall cellular health
- Support liver health
- Support healthy metabolic function
- Support bone health
- Support healthy blood pressure levels
- Support healthy cholesterol levels
- Support a healthy weight
- Support restful sleep
The antioxidants in pumpkin seeds promote better overall wellness, including supporting cellular health, vision, heart health, and cognitive function.
Pumpkin Seeds in Diet
Adding pumpkin seeds to a balanced diet is simple to support health and well-being. Eat roasted pumpkin seeds as a snack or add them to:
- Soups
- Salads
- Brown rice
- Quinoa
- Whole-grain pasta
- Cereals
- Trail mix
- Smoothies
- Cottage cheese
- Yogurt
- Protein energy balls
- Homemade protein bars
- Veggie burgers
- Shakes made with pumpkin seed protein powder
- Muffins
- Homemade breads
You can substitute regular flour with pumpkin seed flour when baking, use pumpkin seed oil for cooking or baking or add pumpkin seed protein powder to shakes, yogurts, and any favorite recipe.
Do Pumpkin Seeds Work For Parasitic Concerns?
Researchers have studied the effects of pumpkin seeds on supporting the body's defenses against parasitic concerns, and their findings have been promising.
Cucurbitacin and Potential Benefits
Cucurbitacin is the compound in pumpkin seeds linked to potential health-supporting properties. It has been used to help manage roundworms and tapeworms in domestic livestock for many years. Research findings suggest that cucurbitacin may impact GI parasites by affecting their motility and development.
Research Studies and Findings
Numerous studies have explored the potential benefits of pumpkin seeds and their extracts as supportive foods. Researchers found that pumpkin seed extract appears to be effective in supporting gastrointestinal (GI) health and managing nematodes.
Studies suggest that pumpkin seeds may help manage intestinal nematodes in sheep, ostriches, and mice.
A human study determined that pumpkin seed and areca nut extracts may help manage tapeworms and are highly effective (89%) and safe for people with these gastrointestinal concerns.
However, clinical research analyzing the effects of pumpkin seeds on gastrointestinal health in humans is limited.
Best Practices for Using Pumpkin Seeds
Preserve the cucurbitacin content of pumpkin seeds to potentially benefit from their supportive effects. Consume whole pumpkin seeds, pumpkin seed extract, pumpkin seed oil, pumpkin seed protein powder, or pumpkin seed flour.
There are no established guidelines for how many pumpkin seeds or how much pumpkin seed extract to consume to support health benefits.
- Common doses of pumpkin seed extract supplements are 250-500 milligrams per serving. Pumpkin seed oil supplements are also available, often in doses of 1,000-3,000 milligrams per serving.
- In Germany, it’s common to take 200-400 grams of ground pumpkin seeds to support intestinal health.
There have not been any reports of toxicity after consuming cucurbita extract. However, individuals should consult with their doctor before taking any form of dietary supplements.
It’s helpful to use pumpkin seeds as part of a broader plan for improved overall health, including supporting intestinal health. This includes adopting a well-balanced diet.
USDA healthy meal plans containing 2,000 calories per day include 5.5 servings of protein foods, and ½ ounce of nuts or seeds counts as one serving size.
Parasite Infection Risks
Intestinal parasites, particularly in large numbers, can cause unpleasant symptoms and health problems.
Common Human Parasites
Typical parasites affecting humans include protozoa and intestinal worms. These organisms live off their host, using the human body for shelter and nourishment. When inside the host, these parasites can continue to multiply and spread but offer no benefits to the host.
Examples of intestinal parasites include:
- Tapeworms
- Roundworms
- Pinworms
- Hookworms
- Ascaris
- Strongyloides
- Flukes
- Trichinella
- Giardia
- Cryptosporidium
- Blastocystis species
- Cystoisospora belli
- Entamoeba histolytica
- Cyclospora
About 25% of the world's population has an infection linked to intestinal parasites and ascariasis is the most common, affecting about 1 billion people in the world. Giardia and pinworms are most common parasites in the United States.
Sources of Parasitic Infections
Ways to contract parasites include:
- Contaminated food and water
- Undercooked or raw meats
- Touching the fingers to the mouth
- Walking barefoot on contaminated soil
- Insect bites
- Poor hygiene
Parasites can pass from person to person by ingesting eggs passed through feces. Because these eggs are microscopic, there’s no way to know when an individual comes in contact with them.
Risk factors for parasitic infections include:
- Humid, warm climates
- Poor public sanitation
- Living in close contact with livestock
- Being in close quarters with lots of other people
- Lack of access to clean water
- Using human feces as fertilizer
- Engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse
- Exposure to poop
- Weakened immune system
Good hygiene, including frequent handwashing, drinking clean water, and eating fully cooked foods, may reduce the risk of parasitic infections.
Signs and Symptoms
Parasites can live for years in the intestines without causing any symptoms. Variations in symptoms exist based on the type of parasite causing the infection. Signs, symptoms, and complications of parasitic infections include:
- Gastrointestinal (GI) problems
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain or tenderness
- Bloating
- Gas
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Rash
- Loose stools
- Weight loss
- Itching around the rectum
- Passing worms in the stool
If left untreated, parasites can eventually cause complications like malnutrition, dehydration, iron-deficiency anemia, bowel obstruction, and organ damage. Organ damage may occur if a tapeworm travels to the liver, lungs, heart, eyes, or brain.
Approaches to Managing Parasites Naturally and with Modern Medicine
Natural and modern medicine approaches exist to manage parasites in humans.
Natural Approaches for Parasites
Herbs, dietary changes, and other natural methods may help support intestinal health. Examples include:
- Pumpkin seeds
- Garlic
- Pomegranate
- Carrots
- Beets
- Papaya seeds
- Other fiber-rich foods
- Digestive enzymes
- Probiotics
- Zinc
- Vitamin C
- Goldenseal
- Barberry
- Anise
- Oregon grape
- Wormwood
- Black walnuts
- Curled mint
Homeopathic medicine options for intestinal parasites include:
- Indigo
- Teucrium
- Cina
- Cuprum oxydatum nigrum
- Sabadilla
- Stanum
- Podophyllum
- Spigelia
Avoid simple carbohydrates, particularly added sugars and refined carbohydrates (with the exception of honey). Drink a lot of water to support your system.
Modern Medical Approaches
Modern medicine approaches for parasitic concerns include prescription medications, such as:
- Antiparasitic drugs
- Anthelmintics
- Antiprotozoals
- Pyrantel pamoate
- Metronidazole
- Tinidazole
- Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole
- Mebendazole
- Albendazole
- Iodoquinol
- Diloxanide furoate
- Paromomycin
- Chloroquine
- Nitazoxanide
Medications can help manage parasites by affecting their function or growth.
Patients may need to take just one dose to address a parasitic concern or additional doses for several days or weeks. Following their provider’s instructions exactly as directed is vital to managing all parasites and eggs. Sometimes, parasitic concerns resolve on their own over time.
Integrating Natural and Medical Approaches
Doctors can incorporate natural approaches, such as pumpkin seeds or their extracts, alongside conventional medicine methods to support intestinal health. For example, a patient might take medication in addition to consuming pumpkin seeds or seed extracts based on their medical history and individualized needs.
It’s important for patients to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice depending on the specific intestinal concern they struggle with.
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Key Takeaways
- Consuming pumpkin seeds for parasites may help support the body's defenses against parasitic concerns naturally, particularly when combined with a healthy lifestyle and medications when necessary.
- While research on pumpkin seeds’ effects on parasites in humans is limited, pumpkin seeds and their extracts show promise in animal studies, and these superfoods provide numerous additional health benefits.
- There’s a need for a balanced approach that includes modern medicine and natural methods when addressing parasitic concerns and their symptoms or complications.
- Individuals should seek medical advice before using pumpkin seeds or other natural methods to support intestinal health.
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