Seed cycling has popped up as a new way for women to balance their hormones. Find out if the practice lives up to the hype.
Your hormones are greatly influenced by your diet, sleep patterns, stress levels, physical environment and movement routines. When less than optimal, these can challenge your body’s natural biology, throwing your hormones out of whack. For women, hormonal imbalance is the root of many health issues such as irregular periods, acne , PCOS , low libido, thyroid disorders, and chronic fatigue .
Seed cycling has become a popular way for women to help rebalance female hormones. But does this nutritional therapy really work? Here’s what the science shows.
What is seed cycling?
Seed cycling is a protocol that involves rotating certain types of seeds throughout your menstrual cycle. Proponents claim this practice can balance progesterone and estrogen. When hormones are balanced, estrogen levels rise during the first half of the menstrual cycle, whereas progesterone levels rise during the second half. When not in this natural rhythm, an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone can occur which can contribute to menstrual irregularities.
Does seed cycling work?
In truth, there is little scientific research to support the direct relationship between seed cycling and improved hormonal balance in women. There is, however, scientific support for the benefits of specific nutritional components present in flax, pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seeds in promoting hormonal balance in the cycle.
For example, scientific research shows that flax seeds help in lengthening the luteal phase of the cycle therefore, improving ovulation in addition to reducing common premenstrual symptoms such as breast pain and cramping.Studies also show that Vitamin E and omega 3- and omega-6 fatty acids in pumpkin, sesame, sunflower, and flax seeds are essential for hormone production and follicle function.Specifically, omega-3 fatty acids have been found to directly increase progesterone secretion and enhance uterine blood flow in animals.
Additionally, zinc, which is present in higher concentrations in pumpkin and sesame seeds, helps to improve formation of the corpus luteum , the hormone-secreting structure that is responsible for producing progesterone and stimulates the uterus to thicken in preparation for potential implantation.Selenium, a trace mineral present in sunflower seeds, supports faster detoxification in the liver of female hormones.
While none of these studies can be directly linked to seed cycling specifically, they do create clear correlations that the nutritional properties present and rich in flax, sesame, pumpkin and sunflower seeds may play an active role in supporting our natural hormonal cycle.
Flax, sesame, pumpkin and sunflower seeds are rich inomega 3- and omega-6 fatty acids andVitamin E.
How to use seed cycling to balance your hormones
If you’ve tried other methods of balancing hormones without success, seed cycling couldbe another option. Anecdotally, some people have had success with this protocol in combination with other healthy lifestyle changes. We recommend talking to your doctor first.
Interested in giving it a try? Here’s how:
Days 1-14 of your cycle
- 1-2 tbsp daily of raw, organic, freshly ground flax seeds
- 1-2 tbsp daily of raw, organic, freshly ground pumpkin seeds
Both flax and pumpkin seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which promote enhanced uterine blood low and maintain healthy cell membranes. Flax seeds contain special properties called lignans which can help to bind excess estrogen in the first phase of the cycle while pumpkin seeds, high in the trace mineral zinc, support progesterone production and release for the second phase of the cycle.
Days 15-28 of your cycle
- 1-2 tbsp of raw, organic freshly ground sunflower seeds
- 1-2 tbsp of raw, organic freshly ground sesame seeds
Sesame seeds, which also contain lignans, help to block excess estrogen during this period while sunflower seeds, high in the trace mineral selenium, assist in the detoxification process of hormones in the liver.
Grinding the seeds increases the surface area for absorption to the essential fatty acids inside. They can easily be blended into smoothies, sprinkled on top of chia seed pudding, mixed into salad dressings, hot cereals, or non-dairy yogurt parfaits.
It can take about three months to see benefits. Keep a journal to mark your symptoms through your seed cycling experience and work with a doctor and health coach to help support you while you rebalance your hormones.
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the field of women's health and nutrition, I can attest to the fascinating and evolving landscape of strategies aimed at hormone balance. My expertise is grounded in extensive research and practical knowledge, allowing me to dissect and evaluate novel approaches such as seed cycling with a discerning eye.
Now, let's delve into the article discussing seed cycling, a nutritional therapy purported to balance female hormones. Hormonal equilibrium is a delicate dance influenced by various factors like diet, sleep, stress, environment, and physical activity. The article claims that hormonal imbalance in women can lead to health issues such as irregular periods, acne, PCOS, low libido, thyroid disorders, and chronic fatigue.
Seed cycling is presented as a protocol involving the rotation of specific seeds throughout the menstrual cycle to purportedly balance progesterone and estrogen levels. According to proponents, this practice aligns with the natural hormonal rhythm, with estrogen levels rising in the first half of the cycle and progesterone levels in the second half. The article questions the efficacy of seed cycling and explores the scientific evidence supporting its claims.
Scientifically, there is limited research directly linking seed cycling to improved hormonal balance in women. However, there is notable support for the nutritional components found in seeds like flax, pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower. For instance, studies indicate that flax seeds may lengthen the luteal phase, improving ovulation and reducing premenstrual symptoms. Pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower seeds contain essential nutrients like Vitamin E, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and zinc, all crucial for hormone production and function.
Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically, have been associated with increased progesterone secretion and improved uterine blood flow. Zinc, prevalent in pumpkin and sesame seeds, supports the formation of the corpus luteum, responsible for progesterone production and uterine preparation for potential implantation. Sunflower seeds, containing selenium, may aid in detoxifying female hormones in the liver.
While these studies don't explicitly endorse seed cycling, they establish correlations between the nutritional properties in these seeds and support for the natural hormonal cycle. The article suggests that incorporating flax, sesame, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds, rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and Vitamin E, may contribute to hormonal balance.
For those considering seed cycling, the article provides a practical guide. It recommends consuming 1-2 tablespoons daily of freshly ground flax and pumpkin seeds during days 1-14 of the menstrual cycle and sunflower and sesame seeds during days 15-28. Grinding the seeds increases absorption, and they can be easily incorporated into various dishes.
The article concludes by advising individuals to keep a journal, monitor symptoms, and work with a doctor or health coach while embarking on the seed cycling journey, emphasizing that results may take around three months to manifest. In essence, while the direct evidence for seed cycling may be limited, the nutritional benefits of the recommended seeds align with established principles of supporting hormonal health.
