Natural Hormone Balance - Seed Cycling

 

Get to Know Your Hormones

  • Estrogen:
    • "Builder" that thickens the uterine lining and matures eggs.
    • Too much estrogen results in weight gain, mood swings, and potentially severe health conditions.
  • Progesterone:
    • "Maintainer" that stabilizes uterine lining post-egg release.
    • Too much progesterone causes fatigue, bloating, and mood disorders.

Understanding Seed Cycling

Seed cycling involves adding pumpkin, flax, sunflower, and sesame seeds into your diet during your menstrual cycle to boost or eliminate particular hormones.

Get to Know the Seeds

  • Flaxseeds:
    • Contain lignans* that help bind excess estrogen.
    • Aid in estrogen detoxification.
  • Pumpkin Seeds:
    • High in zinc.
    • Support progesterone production.
  • Sunflower Seeds:
    • Rich in Vitamin E.
    • Support healthy progesterone levels.
    • Supply selenium, aiding liver detoxification.
  • Sesame Seeds:
    • Rich in fatty acids
    • Contain lignans* to counter excessive estrogen.
    • Help balance both estrogen and progesterone.

*About Lignans

  • Lignans are natural compounds found in plants. They're like little helpers that can attach to extra estrogen in your body and help remove it. Too much estrogen leads to hormonal imbalances, indirectly affecting progesterone levels. Think of lignans as your body's clean-up crew for hormones!

Phase 1: Follicular Phase (Days 1-14)

Your cycle kicks off with Day 1, marking the start of menstruation. The following two weeks constitute the follicular phase. 

  • During this time, your go-to seeds are:
    • Pumpkin seeds
    • Flax seeds 
  • Consume 2 Tbsp daily of raw, ideally ground.

Phase 2: Luteal Phase (Days 15-28)

Ovulation marks Phase 2 of your cycle around day 15, signalling a shift from estrogen to progesterone production. 

  • During this time, your go-to seeds are:
    • Black sesame seeds
    • Sunflower seeds
  • Consume 2 Tbsp daily of raw, ideally ground.