Seed Cycling for Hormonal Balance

Hormonal balance is something that we may not find very important or may much attention to, but actually plays a huge role in our general well-being, mood, energy levels and health. Women are more aware of the effect of hormones in their body and how they affect their mood, causing common symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, PMS, mood swings, bloating, food cravings and skin breakouts. But the truth is, that these symptoms that we think are what we should expect once a month, don’t actually have to be so extreme. They are a result of a hormonal imbalance, specifically oestrogen and progesterone, and if you learn to balance them through diet and lifestyle choices, you can actually improve these symptoms and feel well quite consistently.

Poor nutritional choices, increased stress and not prioritising sleep are all factors that affect our hormones. These chemical messengers in our body are crucial for our our health and there is a lot you can do to have good hormonal health. One of the natural ways of balancing hormones that may not sound familiar but has positive effects on women is Seed Cycling.

Seed cycling consists of balancing oestrogen and progesterone– two of the key hormones that regulate your cycle- by eating different seeds at different phases of your cycle.

A regular menstrual cycle lasts 28 days and involves an exchange of hormones that influence the uterus and ovaries. There are two phases in the menstrual cycle. The first phase is called the Follicular Phase (day 1-14) where if the egg isn’t fertilised, the endometrial lining is lost through menstruation. During this phase, oestrogen levels increase. Once oestrogen levels start to decrease, then progesterone levels increase, which is the second phase of the menstrual cycle called the Luteal Phase (day 15-28). It’s the imbalance of these hormones that cause all the unwanted symptoms women experience during their cycle.

This is when Seed Cycling comes in handy. The different nutrients in the seeds help balance the hormones, such as lignans (that help regulate oestrogen) and essential fatty acids (that assist with hormone production). They work in synergy to help hormones regulate throughout the cycle.

How to Seed Cycle

In the Follicular Phase (day 1-14) of your cycle ingest these seeds:

• 1 tablespoon of freshly ground flaxseeds: full of lignants that block excess oestrogen.
• 1 tablespoon of pumpkin seeds: high in zinc which supports progesterone production.

In the Luteal Phase (day 15-28) of your cycle ingest these seeds:

• 1 tablespoon of sunflower seeds: high in selenium for hormone metabolism.
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds: full of lignants that block excess oestrogen.

Whilst it may sound like a lot of seeds to have every day, you can include them in your porridge, granola, smoothie bowls, nut butters or have them as a mid-morning snack to boost your energy levels.

Why not give it a try and see over time how it can improve your health and menstrual symptoms?