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Can Eating Seeds Really Change Your Hormones?
Written by Rochelle Marreiros of Seed Cycle Blend
Seed cycling is a daily nutritional and naturopathic technique which uses specific seeds, taken at certain phases of the cycle to regulate sex hormones. Nutritional and anecdotal evidence suggests that as a result of balanced sex hormones through seed cycling, you can experience regular cycles, improved fertility, increased mood, clearer skin and reduced PMS and menstrual cramps. Seed cycling has been known as a huge hormonal support when coming off birth control, weaning off breastfeeding or transitioning into peri-menopause and menopause.
Are fluctuating hormones normal?
Unlike male sex hormones which fluctuate over a 24 hour period - female sex hormones fluctuate over an approximate 28 day period known as the menstrual cycle. During this time hormones in the brain speak to the ovaries to activate key sex hormones Estrogen and Progesterone. Estrogen and Progesterone carry out different tasks to make up the phases of a menstrual cycle. Depending on where you are in your cycle you may have more or less of either Estrogen or Progesterone. This is normal - unless you are experiencing uncomfortable symptoms - which could be a sign that there may be too much or too little of either hormone.
Stress (in many forms) can reduce our ability to absorb nutrients in the gut and therefore reduce the performance of our sex hormones. This can cause things like Estrogen dominance or not enough Progesterone, which can flare up breast tenderness, period cramps, mood swings and more. Fun! These symptoms are common - but not normal. Instead, they are signals that your body is out of balance and needs support. Seed cycling with Seed Cycle Blend is a gentle yet effective food-based protocol to guide your sex hormones back into their healthy fluctuations to perform better.
How do you seed cycle?
Seed Cycle Blend pre-ground and pre-dosed blends make it super easy to seed cycle without the effort. Take 2 Tablespoons of FOL blend in a smoothie, breakfast or even in a glass of water each morning during your follicular phase. This is the first half of your cycle, which starts at day 1 of your period until ovulation or approximately day 14 of your cycle. Then you switch to taking 2 Tablespoons of LUT blend in the second half of your cycle called the Luteal Phase. This phase is from ovulation or approx. day 14 until day 1 of your period. FOL contains organic flaxseed (linseed) and organic pumpkin seed and LUT contains organic sunflower seeds and organic sesame seeds.
If you do not have a period or are transitioning off hormonal birth control, out of breastfeeding or into menopause you can seed cycle with the phases of the moon. The moon runs in a 28-day cycle. New moon to full moon is 14 days. Full moon to the new moon is another 14 days. You can start seed cycling with FOL or LUT blends on either the full moon or new moon.
How does it work?
Seed cycling works by utilising key nutrients in the chosen seeds to support the health fluctuation of sex hormones. The act of consistently consuming nutrients that interact with sex hormones brings your body into sync with its natural rhythms. This helps to promote hormonal balance. The Key nutrients include lignans, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.
Lignans
Lignans are a precursor to phytoestrogens. Meaning they don’t mimic estrogen like phytoestrogens, but they can stimulate or block estrogen production through receptors on the surface of cells. This can regulate the body’s estrogen stores when there is too little or too much.
Fatty Acids
Oils from the seeds provide the right environment for cholesterol to produce healthy hormones. Without cholesterol it is virtually impossible to create healthy hormones.
Minerals and Vitamins
Certain minerals such as Zinc, play a crucial role in the process of reproduction, growth and development. Vitamin E possesses estrogenic, androgenic and progesterone-like properties. Other vitamins such as pantothenic acid affect adrenal function - which is a vital building block for healthy sex hormone production. There are a range of other nutrients the seeds have that make consuming them daily a beneficial habit.
As Dr. Izabella Wentz describes “While each person may have different symptoms, the fundamental way to heal the body is the same: support its ability to heal itself. Food has the power to nourish, regulate hormones, improve digestion, and promote detoxification". Seed cycling is just one of these superfood practices that you can effortlessly add to your lifestyle with Seed Cycle Blend and improve your quality of life.
References
Dr. Jolene Brighten, Seed Cycling for Hormone Balance, Published: January 9. 2019, Last Reviews: May 4, 2020 https://drbrighten.com/seed-cycling-for-hormone-balance/ [1]
Knudtson J. Menstrual Cycle. Merck Manuals Consumer Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/biology-of-the-female-reproductive-system/menstrual-cycle. Updated September 2016. Accessed December 23, 2018.[2]
Flaxseed ingestion and the cycle: Phipps WR, Martini MC, Lampe JW, Slavin JL, Kurzer MS. Effect of flax seed ingestion on the menstrual cycle. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1993;77(5):1215‐1219. doi:10.1210/jcem.77.5.8077314 [3]
Andersen JM, Dietschy JM. Relative importance of high and low density lipoproteins in the regulation of cholesterol synthesis in the adrenal gland, ovary, and testis of the rat. J Biol Chem. 1978;253(24):9024‐9032. [4]
Murarka S, Mishra V, Joshi P and Kumar Sunil. Role of Zinc in Reproductive Biology - An Overview.Austin J Reprod Med Infertil. 2015;2(2): 1009. ISSN:2471-0393 [5]
Sharaf, A., Gomaa, N. Hormonal properties of vitamin E and its synergism with gonadal hormones. Plant Food Hum Nutr 22, 91–98 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01099740 [6]
Elaine P.Ralli Mary E.Dumm Vitamins & Hormones Volume 11, 1953, Pages 133-158. Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, New York University-Bellevue Medical Center, New York, New York, Available online 28 April 2008. [7]
Wu WH, Kang YP, Wang NH, Jou HJ, Wang TA. Sesame ingestion affects sex hormones, antioxidant status, and blood lipids in postmenopausal women. J Nutr. 2006;136(5):1270‐1275. doi:10.1093/jn/136.5.1270
https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/lignans#metabolism-bioavailability
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