“Seed cycling” has become a growing trend lately, where it is claimed to balance hormones, increase fertility, and slow down menopause.
This process encourages us to eat flaxseed, pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower seeds at different times of the month to balance hormones in the body.
There is not much research on the concept of seed cycling. Currently, only anecdotal reports are circulating regarding the usefulness of seed cycling itself.
Thus, this article will briefly discuss what seed cycling is and its benefits for hormones.
What is Seed Cycling?
Seed cycling is a naturopathic medicine that is claimed to balance hormones in the body. The way this system works is by regulating estrogen during the first half of the menstrual cycle and progesterone during the second half of the menstrual cycle.
Some of the health benefits of this system include helping regulate menstruation, treating polycystic ovary syndrome (“PCOS”), reducing acne, endometriosis, and infertility. In addition, seed cycling is also claimed to help relieve symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, fatigue, mood swings, and night sweats. According to several sources on the internet, it can also increase thyroid hormone levels, weight loss, water retention, hair health, and cellulite.
To carry out this method, during the first 13-14 days of the menstrual cycle or in the follicular phase, women should consume 1 tablespoon of freshly ground flaxseed and pumpkin every day.
This also occurs in the second phase of the menstrual cycle or the luteal phase. Women will eat 1 tablespoon of sunflower and sesame seeds daily until the first day of menstruation when the menstrual cycle starts again.
As for menopausal or post menopausal women who do not have regular menstrual cycles, it is advisable to use the number of days in a month as a guide to see what date their first cycle occurs.
According to some people, seed cycling on a regular basis can lead to positive hormonal changes.
Download our period tracker app for IOS & Android to understand more about your menstrual cycle.
So how can seeds actually affect the body's hormones?
How Can Seeds Affect Hormones?
During the follicular phase, proponents of seed germination argue that the phytoestrogens in flaxseed can help increase and decrease estrogen levels as needed. Phytoestrogens are compounds in plants that can mimic the action of estrogen.
In addition, pumpkin seeds are also claimed to stimulate the production of progesterone for the preparation of the next phase.
During the luteal phase, the lignans present in sesame seeds inhibit excessive levels of estrogen. In addition, vitamin E contained in sunflower seeds is believed to increase progesterone levels.
Creating Food With Seed Cycling
To seed cycle, of course you need some interesting food creations so you will not be bored. Besides smoothies, there are many recipes that you can create while seed cycling.
Creative recipes with seed cycling include:
- Pumpkin seed pesto
- Seed butter to eat with fresh fruit
- Making a yogurt parfait with seeds and granola
- Sprinkling seeds on salads
- Tahini
- Oatmeal
Those are some explanations about seed cycling and its benefits for hormones. In the research community, seed cycling has not proven too many aspects, especially the benefits of hormones; however, you can use this method to promote a healthy lifestyle for your body based on anecdotal reports.
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