More than a snack, pumpkin seeds may ease arthritis

DEAR DR. GOTT: About 25 years ago, my sister injured both knees in a motorcycle accident. She has had eight surgeries and countless draining procedures and shots. In speaking with her yesterday, she mentioned that her knees are no longer bothering her, and the swelling is gone. She said she had started eating one-quarter cup of raw pumpkin seeds about two weeks before. She had heard that copper was good for reducing inflammation and that pumpkin seeds were full of it. Her husband is also eating the seeds daily for his knee problems and says he feels great again. I was wondering if you had ever heard of this and what your opinion is.

DEAR READER: Eating raw pumpkin seeds for knee pain is new to me, but if it works for your sister and her husband, they should stick with it. Unless you’re allergic, there is no harm in eating a small amount of raw pumpkin seeds daily. The best part is that they can easily be mixed with other foods such as oatmeal, cold cereal and salads.

Copper bracelets have been used by many to reduce the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. It stands to reason that if pumpkin seeds contain copper, they can also be useful as a treatment option. There have been no large studies on this effect, however.

Pumpkin-seed oil is purported to relieve symptoms of bladder problems, enlarged prostates, kidney stones, irritable bowel syndrome and more. The oil is available in capsule form at many health-food and vitamin stores.

Readers, if any of you have had experience with pumpkin seeds or pumpkin-seed oil, please let me know. I will print a follow-up with the results, either positive or negative.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report, “Understanding Osteoarthritis.� Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped No. 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Dr. Gott practiced in Lakeville for 40 years.

Latest News

Racecars roar in NASCAR’s return to Lime Rock Park

High-speed action made for a weekend of excitement at Lime Rock Park Friday and Saturday, June 27-28.

Photo by Simon Markow

LAKEVILLE — For the first time since 2011, Lime Rock Park hosted National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing events June 27 and 28.

It was billed as the largest event in modern track history with an estimated 20,000 fans attending.

Keep ReadingShow less
Joseph Robert Meehan

SALISBURY — Joseph Robert Meehan the 2nd,photographer, college professor and nearly 50 year resident of Salisbury, passed away peacefully at Noble Horizon on June 17, 2025. He was 83.

He was the son of Joseph Meehan the 1st and his mother, Anna Burawa of Levittown, New York, and sister Joanne, of Montgomery, New York.

Keep ReadingShow less
Florence Olive Zutter Murphy

STANFORDVILLE, New York — It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Florence Olive Zutter Murphy, who went home to be with the Lord on June 16, 2025, at the age of 99.

She was born in Sharon, Connecticut on Nov. 20, 1925, and was a long time resident of the Dutchess County area.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chore Service hosts annual garden party fundraiser

Chore Service hosted 250 supporters at it’s annual Garden Party fundraiser.

Bob Ellwood

On Saturday, June 21, Mort Klaus, longtime Sharon resident, hosted 250 enthusiastic supporters of Northwest Corner’s beloved nonprofit, Chore Service at his stunning 175-acre property. Chore Service provides essential non-medical support to help older adults and those with disabilities maintain their independence and quality of life in their own homes.

Jane MacLaren, Executive Director, and Dolores Perotti, Board President, personally welcomed arriving attendees. The well-stocked bar and enticing hors d’oeuvres table were popular destinations as the crowd waited for the afternoon’s presentations.

Keep ReadingShow less