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Why your health loves Halloween

Who would have thought carving a jack-o-lantern — and eating the leftovers — could make you feel great?

Roast the seeds for your heart. Pumpkin seeds are a good source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a healthy fat. It's a precursor to the omega-3 fatty acids — which modern diets rarely have enough of — that reduce inflammation, improve blood-vessel health and lower triglycerides (you get such goodness with roasted or fresh walnuts, too). Pumpkin seeds are also bursting with a nutrient most people don't get enough of: magnesium. Your muscles need it to function properly, and an ounce of these little treats contains about a third of your daily needs. For extra flavor, toss the seeds with a bit of olive oil and a few spices, such as garlic, cayenne pepper or lemon pepper, before roasting. Spread on a cookie sheet and bake at 250 F for about 30 minutes, shaking pan occasionally, until golden and crisp.

Cook and mash the cutaway parts — or just buy a can of pureed pumpkin (way easier and usually tastier because it's made from "pie pumpkins"). Pumpkin is rich in beta carotene, and research suggests that diets high in this nutrient may help prevent the kind of DNA damage that contributes to cardiovascular disease and cancer. Just one way to eat it: Add flair to your weekend pancake recipe by adding 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree and 3/4 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice.

Admire your scary masterpiece! Your emotions have an enormous impact on how your body works. You're healthier when you're happy with your life. So enjoy your handiwork. And munch on some pumpkin seeds while you're at it.

The YOU Docs, Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz, are authors of the best-selling "YOU: The Owner's Manual" and "YOU: On a Diet." To submit questions, go to RealAge.com, the docs' online home. Distributed by King Features Syndicate.

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