• A pumpkin contains hundreds of seeds inside.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Every year when carving pumpkins for Halloween, people across America toss away handfuls of what is arguably the most valuable part of the plant: the seeds. The oil that can be extracted from these seeds contains an abundance of nutrients. Pumpkin seed oil can be swallowed by the spoonful or mixed with other foods.
  
  

Prostate Health

• Prostate problems are commonly found in men of middle age and older, either in the form of prostate cancer or BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), which is the swelling of the prostate. Carotenoids, one of the nutrients found in pumpkin seed oil, has been shown to aid in prostate health. They are rich in vitamin A and can help to fight free radicals and create an overall healthier reproductive system in men. Zinc is another healthful element found in pumpkin seed oil. When consumed, zinc can strengthen the body's immune system and help to prevent prostatitis, which is an infection of the prostate.
  
  

Anti-Inflammatory Benefits

• Pumpkin seed oil has been shown to be an effective, all-natural way to combat the pain and inflammation that often accompanies arthritis. The oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which have certain anti-inflammatory properties, among other health benefits. There are also high levels of minerals such as magnesium, manganese and phosphorus, which promote proper blood circulation, as well as healthy nerves and muscles, thereby reducing inflammation. Also, pumpkin seed oil does not have the side effects that may occur with some pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory drugs, such as increased levels of lipid peroxides along the bones and joints.
  
  

Bone Health

• Some of the same nutrients found in pumpkin seeds, such as zinc, magnesium and phosphorus, are beneficial in maintaining overall bone strength. A quarter of a cup of pumpkin seed oil supplies nearly 50 percent of the recommended daily intake of magnesium and, according to the National Institutes of Health, "approximately 50 percent of total body magnesium is found in bone." Phosphorus, for which a quarter of a cup of pumpkin oil provides 40 percent of the recommended daily intake, is second only to calcium in the makeup of the human bone.
  
  

Lower Cholesterol Levels

• High cholesterol is a common problem in both men and women of various ages. What makes pumpkin seed oil effective in lowering cholesterol are the phytosterols it contains. These are phytochemicals found in plants that have been found not only to lower the levels of cholesterol in the blood stream, but also to boost the surrounding immune system and, in certain cases, help protect against cancer. Pumpkin seeds are second only to sunflower seeds and pistachios in the amount of phytosterols they contain.