Overview
Why is pumpkin seed extract important for bladder health?
It is been traditionally used and clinically studied:
The pumpkin plant (Cucurbita pepo) has a long history of use by traditional Native American healers. While original research showed benefits for prostate health, new studies have found pumpkin seed provides equally significant support for bladder health in women.†
Recent research has focused on pumpkin's phytosterol components. Clinical studies reveal that these phytosterols can significantly impact urinary tract health by helping maintain hormone balance.†
Why use Better Bladder™† for Women?
It's a pure, simple, natural solution:
Better Bladder™† for Women contains powerful pumpkin seed extract for healthy bladder strength in women.† It provides a concentrated, 18 to 1 extract of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) seed extract, and uses patented processing to remove the fat soluble components from the seed. This yields a more potent extract, which has been clinically shown to promote urinary tract and bladder health.†
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Technical Data
Description
The pumpkin plant (
Cucubita pepo) has a long history of use by traditional Native American healers. While both the seed and flower have been used for a variety of health benefits, the whole, dried, ripe seed of
Cucubita pepo has been most notably recognized for its support of prostate health in men and bladder health in women.
†1-3
Better Bladder† provides a concentrated, 18 to 1, extract of Cucurbita pepo. Patented processing removes the lipophilic, or fat soluble, components from the seed, yielding a more potent extract, which has been clinically shown to promote urinary tract and bladder health.†4,5
Better Bladder:
- Natural support for urinary tract and bladder health†
- Clinically studied, lipid-free pumpkin extract
- Convenient, once daily dosing
- Patented processing
- Balances hormone levels, particularly testosterone†
- Well established safety and tolerability
How Does It Work?
The pumpkin plant is native to North and Central America. However, it has been cultivated throughout the world for its nutritive value and various health benefits for thousands of years. Native American healers utilized the seeds to help maintain proper balance of intestinal flora.
† This practice, while not conclusively supported by scientific research, has been continued by some herbalists to this day. In addition, the plant's flowers have historically been used to reduce pain due to occasional overuse.
† There is also evidence that pumpkin possesses antioxidant properties. However, by far the most well known health benefit of pumpkin is its role in prostate, bladder, and kidney health.
† For centuries, Native American Indian tribes have utilized pumpkin to enhance the function of these glands.
† Modern research has provided scientific evidence to support these benefits as well. In fact, by the end of the 19th century, pumpkin seed was well established as a leading herbal for its support of prostate health in men and bladder health in women.
†3,6,7
Pumpkin Seed and Bladder Health
Much research on the health benefits of pumpkin has focused on the key components, which are naturally present in the nutrient-dense seed. The seed of Cucubita pepo contains important fatty acids, powerful phytosterols, cucubitin (an amino acid), and tocopherols; all of which play an important role in overall health. In addition, the seeds provide notable amounts of protein, fiber, and essential minerals, including iron, copper, magnesium, zinc, selenium, and potassium.3,6 Although the exact mechanism by which pumpkin seed promotes prostate and bladder health is unknown, scientific research initially focused on the actions of the fatty acid components.† Linoleic acid, for example, has been widely studied with particular focus on prostate support.† It is the most prevalent fatty acid in pumpkin seed and accounts for approximately 43-56 percent of the total fat. Oleic acid, which is also present in significant amounts at nearly 24-38 percent of the total fat, has also been studied.8 While original research examined benefits for prostate health, new studies have found pumpkin seed provides equally significant support for bladder health in women.†
Recent research has focused on pumpkin's phytosterol components. In particular, the lignan or phenolic compounds, such as sitosterol, stigmasterol, and stigmastenol, present in pumpkin seed have shown promising results in the application of bladder health.† Clinical studies reveal that these phytosterols can significantly impact urinary tract health through their ability to modulate two key enzymes involved in maintaining hormonal balance.†4,9-11
The lignans in pumpkin seed target 5-alpha reductase activity.11 This enzyme catalyzes the conversion of testosterone into the more potent dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT, like testosterone, is a steroid hormone or androgen. Androgens are responsible for the development and maintenance of masculine sex characteristics in both men and women.12 Excess levels of DHT may not be associated with optimum prostate or bladder health.† Therefore, modulation of the 5-alpha reductase enzyme can help maintain healthy testosterone and DHT levels. By balancing the levels of these key hormones, pumpkin seed phytosterols provide support for prostate and bladder health.†8,11
In addition, pumpkin seed has been shown to modulate the enzyme aromatase.10 Aromatase is present in the estrogen producing cells of the adrenal glands, ovaries, testicles, adipose tissue, and brain. Aromatase converts testosterone, an androgen, into estradiol, an estrogen.13 Inhibition of the aromatase conversion can help maintain healthy testosterone levels in women, which has been shown to strengthen pelvic muscles and bladder function.†4 In fact, a clinical study, involving the patented oil-free pumpkin extract present in Better Bladder™ in conjunction with soy, resulted in significant support for bladder health.† After two weeks of supplementation, 23 of the 39 postmenopausal women enrolled in the study experienced significantly improved bladder function.† By the end of the six week study, 74.4 percent of participants found pumpkin extract safely and significantly improved urinary tract and bladder function as well as improved sleep quality.†4,9
Conclusion
The clinically studied, oil-free pumpkin extract present in Enzymatic Therapy's Better Bladder can provide support for bladder health.† Through the modulation of two key enzymes responsible for maintaining hormonal balance, pumpkin seed supports healthy urinary tract and bladder function.†
Recommendations
One tablet daily.
Precautions
If pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription drugs, consult your healthcare practitioner prior to use.
How Is It Supplied?
Storage Recommendations
Store at controlled room temperature, 59° to 86°F (15° – 30°C).
References
- Carbin BE, Larsson B, Lindahl O. Treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia with phytosterols. Br J Urol. 1990 Dec;66(6):639-41.
- Zhang X, Ouyang JZ, Zhang YS, Tayalla B, Zhou XC, Zhou SW. Effect of the extracts of pumpkin seeds on the urodynamics of rabbits: an experimental study. J Tongji Med Univ. 1994;14(4):235-8.
- “Pumpkin Seed Commission E Monograph” American Botanical Council web site. Available at: http://www.herbalgram.org/commisione/Monographs/Monograph_0309.html. Accessed November 15, 2004.
- Sana Co., Ltd. Open clinical study of effects of pumpkin seed extract/soybean germ extract mixture-containing processed food on nocturia. Japanese Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Science. 2001 Nov.
- Kreuter, et al. United States Patent 6,024,998: Process for the removal of undesired lipophilic contaminations and/or residues, which are contained in beverages or in vegetable preparations. February 15, 2000.
- “Pumpkin Seed” American Botanical Council web site. Available at: http://www.herbalgram.org/youngliving/expandedcommisione/he083.asp. Accessed November 23, 2004.
- Fahim AT, Abd-el Fattah AA, Agha AM, Gad MZ. Effect of pumpkin-seed oil on the level of free radical scavengers induced during adjuvant-arthritis in rats. Pharmacol Res. 1995 Jan;31(1):73-9.
- Bombardelli E, Morazzoni P. Cucurbita pepo L. Fitoterapia. 1997;68(4):291-302.
- Dreikorn K. The role of phytotherapy in treating lower urinary tract symptoms and benign prostatic hyperplasia. World J Urol. 2002 Apr;19(6):426-35.
- Wang C, Makela T, Hase T, Adlercreutz H, Kurzer MS. Lignans and flavonoids inhibit aromatase enzyme in human preadipocytes. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 1994 Aug;50(3-4):205-12.
- Evans BA, Griffiths K, Morton MS. Inhibition of 5 alpha-reductase in genital skin fibroblasts and prostate tissue by dietary lignans and isoflavonoids. J Endocrinol. 1995 Nov;147(2):295-302.
- Lehne, RA. Androgens. In: Pharmacology for Nursing Care, 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders, 1998:666-672.
- Lehne, RA. Estrogen and progestins. In: Pharmacology for Nursing Care, 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders, 1998:624-627.