Sesame seeds are excellent sources of copper and a very good source of manganese calcium phosphorus magnesium iron zinc molybdenum vitamin B1 selenium. Although much of its calorie comes from fats, sesame contains several notable health-benefiting nutrients, minerals, antioxidants and vitamins. The seeds are especially rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid, which comprises up to 50 percent of fatty acids. Oleic acid helps lower LDL or "bad cholesterol" and increases HDL or "good cholesterol" in the blood. The seeds are also very valuable sources of dietary protein with fine quality amino acids that are essential for growth, especially in children.