One of the Biggest Mineral Deficiencies among Americans

blood-type-o-Pumpkin-seeds

Pumpkins aren't just for Halloween carving and Thanksgiving pies. The seeds they contain are full of beneficial nutrients. One of the most important minerals in pumpkin seeds is zinc, an antioxidant that helps protect against age-related diseases and assists in fighting colds and healing wounds.

Identification

Pumpkins were an important food among the Native Americans and belong to the same gourd family of plants that includes cantaloupe, cucumber and squash. Pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas, are flat and dark green and may either be covered in yellow husks or without any shells at all, depending upon the variety of pumpkin. Pumpkin seeds contain the minerals phosphorus, magnesium and manganese, iron and copper, as well as protein and vitamin K. According to the World's Healthiest Foods website, 1/4 cup of raw pumpkin seeds contains 2.57 mg of zinc or 17.1 percent of the Recommended Daily Allowance of zinc for healthy adults.

Benefits

Zinc is required by your body to manufacture 100 different enzymes, and it also supports your immune system, protein synthesis, DNA synthesis, the healing of wounds, normal growth and development and your sense of taste and smell. Because many foods rich in zinc, such as red meats, contain saturated fat that contributes to inflammation in your body, having a zinc-rich plant source such as pumpkin seeds is a healthier alternative.

Significance


A zinc deficiency can cause poor night vision, loss of appetite and weight loss, delayed wound healing, a decrease in your sense of taste and smell, hair loss, a reduced ability to fight infections, eye and skin lesions, mental lethargy and improper development of reproductive organs in embryos. A mild zinc deficiency isn't uncommon, although most people can get all they need from foods such as pumpkin seeds. Low zinc levels are more commonly found in the elderly, alcoholics, anorexics and people on severely restricted diets. If you have a malabsorption syndrome, such as Crohn's disease or celiac disease, you may also be deficient in zinc.


Expert Insight

Although studies investigating the link between zinc and prostate health are mixed, according to the World's Healthiest Foods site, zinc may contribute to positive benefits pumpkin seeds have shown in treating prostate conditions such as benign prostatic hypertrophy. The primary cause behind these effects are carotenoids found in pumpkin seed oil. The Linus Pauling Institute studied the effects of zinc on prostate cells in vitro and found that even low zinc treatments resulted in a marked decrease in cell viability of benign prostate hyperplasia cells. Another benefit for men from zinc found in pumpkin seeds is related to bone density. Research by Taisun H Hyun, et al, and published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" in 2004 found a direct link between low dietary intake of zinc and osteoporosis of the hip and spine in the male study subjects, who ranged in age from 45 to 92. The National Institutes of Health have reported on other studies that show promise in using zinc to boost immune function, prevent diarrhea among children in developing countries, treat age-related macular degeneration and lessen the severity of symptoms from the common cold.

LiveStrong.com

Do you have ridges in your finger nails or little white dots? These are also common with people who lack zinc in their diet. Copper and zinc have an inverse relationship where if you get too much copper in your diet, supplementation, or tap water you can push zinc out of your body. We can see zinc deficiencies on a hair analysis of a patient but more easily tested is a zinc taste test. People who can not taste liquid zinc are lacking it versus those who can taste a metallic taste after having it in their mouth are more sufficient on the mineral and not lacking it. Zinc is also a precursor in the body to help produce hydrochloric acid in the stomach which many individuals who have acid reflux lack as well. Next time you're in the office ask to do a Zinc Taste Test.

Dr. J

Myths & Truths About Nutrition

Myth: Heart disease in America is caused by consumption of cholesterol and saturated fat from animal products.Truth: During the period of rapid increase in heart disease (1920-1960), American consumption of animal fats declined but consumption of...

The Impact of Obamacare

 Costs to treat common ailments a prescription for painA month’s worth of Glumetza diabetes pills cost Marge Meffert $746 last April. Then the price began skyrocketing — to $6,714.It wasn't an isolated surge. The price of Lantus...

The Politics of Cancer

The politics of cancer is blocking innovative new treatments from being tried, says US Vice-president Joe Biden, whose own son died from a brain tumour last May.His remarks echo those of the UK’s Lord Saatchi, who is also trying to free...

This Heavily Missed Problem is not Due to Cold Weather

Proteins, carbohydrates, the essential fatty acids, minerals and vitamins are all needed to stay healthy. A nutritional deficiency can, therefore, result in a variety of diseases and disorders. To determine which nutrient you may be deficient in, a...

Detoxing made Simple

What are the TOP ways to:1. Raise your Immune System2. Stop Inflammation3. Lose Weight4. Add quality years to your LifeResearch shows that a three-day long fast can regenerate your entire immune system, NO MATTER how old you are. The researchers...

So what is your Pediatrician Missing?

                                              We’re going backwardsOver half of US children now suffer from a chronic condition, disability, or disease. Americans spend the least on food, the most on...

This may be the Cause of your Respiratory Condition

One of the telltale adverse effects of ACE inhibitors, including lisinopril, is a chronic, hacking cough — a potential side effect that patients often don't hear about. Studies suggest that up to a third of all patients taking an ACE inhibitor...

$tatin Nation

Myths & TruthsMYTH: People with high cholesterol are more prone to heart attacks.TRUTH: Young and middle-aged men with cholesterol levels over 350 are slightly more at risk for heart attacks. Those who have cholesterol levels just below 350 are...

The Dark Side of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is the National Breast Cancer Awareness month in the U.S., and October 21 is National Mammography Day.Zeneca Group plc., a pharmaceutical subsidiary of Imperial Chemical Industries and manufacturer of the blockbuster breast cancer drugs...

Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Nutritional Deficiencies

Inflammatory bowel disease is a general term used to describe recurring inflammation of the small or large intestine. Inflammation often leads to ulceration and eventually scar tissue can form. This includes Crohn's disease (where it affects the...

FDA NSAIDs Update

The FDA is requiring prescription non aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) labels to include information on heart attack and stroke risk. This update strengthens an existing label warning that NSAIDs increase the risk for heart...

Sinusitis and What you Need to Know

Sinus infections are more prevalent than most physicians realize. Sinusitis may have already replaced the common cold as our most "frequent" illness. In a research study performed at the University of Virginia in 1993, students who thought they had...

Why Whole Foods are more than the Sum of their Parts

What makes an apple so good for us? Is it the vitamin C? Vitamin K or B6? Is it the soluble fiber or the insoluble fiber? Is it the potassium or the phytosterols?Or is it the apple? What a concept.Western science is obsessed with deconstructing...

More than Half of Children are Dehydrated

More than half of children and adolescents aren’t drinking enough water, and even mild dehydration can cause headaches, irritability, and poor physical performance and reduced cognitive functioning, a new study has found.And it’s worse for boys....

Is there any Truth to the "July Effect?"

A July Spike in Fatal Medication Errors: A Possible Effect of New Medical ResidentsAbstractBackgroundEach July thousands begin medical residencies and acquire increased responsibilities for patient care. Many have suggested that these new medical...
Page: 12345 - All