Seed cycling:

Seed cycling is gaining momentum as a way for women to balance their hormones. Is it worth doing?

Hormones are complicated and there are so many factors like diet, sleep and stress that influence their balance.

Out of balance female hormones can result in acne, low libido, thyroid imbalances and fertility issues as well as fatigue and mood issues.

What is seed cycling?

Seed cycling is when you eat different seeds at different times of your cycle to help balance progesterone and estrogen. What should be happening in a ‘normal’ cycle is estrogen rises during the first half of the menstrual cycle and progesterone should rise during the second half.

So should you be using seed cycling to balance your hormones?

Seed cycling is a fairly new concept so there is not a lot of scientific research on it. Looking at the research and nutritional information on the recommended seeds there is a possibility they can have an impact on balancing hormones and may help provide benefits teamed with other changes that involve diet and lifestyle.

How do you start:

Days 1-14 of your cycle– seeds rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Flax seeds contain lignans which can help bind and remove excess estrogen. Pumpkin seeds are high in zinc which can support progesterone production.

• 1 Tbsp flax seeds
• 1 Tbsp pumpkin seeds

Days 15-28 of your cycle– sesame seeds are also high in lignans to help block excess estrogen while sunflower seeds help the liver detoxify hormones.

• 1 Tbsp sunflower seeds
• 1 Tbsp sesame seeds

*all seeds should be ground and organic

You can easily add the ground seeds to smoothies and soups or sprinkled over salads. If you are using a coffee grinder only keep the ground seeds for a week in the fridge as they turn rancid easily.