Nuts and seeds

8.4 Health benefits associated with eating seeds Prostate Pumpkin seeds are a good source of beta-sitosterols. Beta-sitosterols are compounds that inhibit an enzyme that plays an important role in the way testosterone functions in the body. Beta-sitosterols seem to reduce male pattern baldness and prostate size. Cancer and heart disease Linseeds are a rich source of lignans Lignans are naturally occurring phytochemicals that behave in a similar way to the female hormone oestrogen. Compounds with this female-like hormone quality may protect against certain cancers (especially breast and prostate) and heart disease. Quick Question

---

Quick Question

Men with an enlarged prostate might benefit from eating?

peanuts
pumpkin seeds
oily fish
chocolate

References
Hu FB et al. Frequent nut consumption and risk of coronary heart disease in women- prospective cohort study. BMJ 1998; 317:1341-45. BMJ 1998; 317:1341-1345.

Fraser GE et al., Arch Inter Med 1992; 152:1426-1424.

Kris-Etheron PM et al., High monounsaturated fatty acid diets lower both plasma cholesterol and triglycerol concentrations. AJCN 1999; 70:1009-15.

Lavedrine F, Zmirou D, Ravel A, Balducci F, Alary J. Blood cholesterol and walnut consumption: A cross-sectional survey in France. Preventive Medicine. 1999; 28(4):333-339.

 

Next