John Myers
Pumpkin seed products are sold to treat prostate problems – but the study results for dietary supplements give little hope.
The essentials in brief:
- If you have problems urinating, have them clarified in your family doctor or urological practice and do not try to carry out therapy on your own.
- A clear and lasting improvement of the typical prostate complaints through pumpkin seed extracts in the form of dietary supplements has not been proven.
- These pumpkin seed extracts can neither combat the cause of prostate enlargement nor reverse the enlargement.
What is behind the advertising for pumpkin seed extracts?
“Instead of surgery – your prostate will be really healthy!”, “No more going to the toilet at night”, “Reduces the constant urge to urinate” – this advertisement for herbal prostate remedies with pumpkin seed extracts is specially tailored to men who suffer from an enlarged prostate. They hope for “natural, gentle” medicine to treat their symptoms and want to avoid possible side effects of synthetic drugs or even operations.
Pumpkin seed extracts are said to help with delayed, frequent, weakened or painful urination due to an enlarged prostate, slow bladder emptying, nighttime drubbing or when the bladder cannot be completely emptied.
Pumpkin seeds are considered effective against prostate problems in folk medicine. Conventional physicians complain about the insufficient study situation. So far, urological societies have not made any recommendations for the treatment of benign prostate enlargements with plant extracts – neither for herbal, over-the-counter medicines nor for taking dietary supplements. A clear, unambiguous and lasting improvement in the typical symptoms caused by pumpkin seed extracts has not been proven.
Dietary supplements with pumpkin seed extracts are also subject to food law. They must not heal, alleviate or prevent diseases. In contrast to medicinal products, the extracts are not defined, so there are no specifications for ingredients, their quantities or manufacturing processes. Unlike medicinal products, the products do not require approval. The manufacturer alone is responsible for safety and effectiveness.
What should I watch out for when using products with pumpkin seed extract?
Pumpkin seed extracts cannot eliminate the cause of prostate enlargement, nor can they help reverse the enlargement. When taking pumpkin seed extracts, it can take a long time, i.e. several weeks to months, before a (slight) improvement in minor symptoms can be felt.
As a rule, neither the costs for food supplements nor for traditional herbal medicines for the treatment of benign prostate enlargement are reimbursed by the statutory health insurance companies because there is no evidence of their effectiveness.
What are pumpkin seed extracts?
Various components are extracted from the seeds of a pumpkin variety known as “medicinal pumpkin”.
The problem: Dietary supplements from different manufacturers can be composed differently, depending on which components or extracts and which extraction methods are used. And results from a study for a specific product cannot be automatically extrapolated to other products and extracts.
Dietary supplements that contain pumpkin components come in a variety of forms: capsules or dragees with powdered seeds, extracts or even with pumpkin seed oil. But capsules with a concentrate of pumpkin pulp are also on the market.
What ingredients are contained in pumpkin seed extracts?
Pumpkin seed extracts contain around 60% linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid), plant sterols such as beta-sitosterol, as well as carotenoids, selenium, magnesium and other components. The plant sterols are probably responsible for any positive effects.
Our tips:
Instead of buying potentially ineffective remedies for prostate problems, you should rather seek a conversation with the doctor or urologist treating you.
Eating a healthy, high-fiber diet, getting plenty of exercise, maintaining a normal weight, and not drinking alcohol can help prevent extra pressure on your bladder and prostate.
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