Balance Your Hormones Naturally with Seed Cycling
Balancing hormones naturally can make a real difference in how you feel. Rooted in traditional approaches to hormonal health, seed cycling offers a natural way to support your cycle with food. By adding specific seeds to your diet in sync with your cycle, seed cycling provides targeted support for issues like irregular cycles, PCOS, PMDD, or even mild PMS symptoms. It can help ease bloating, mood swings, breast tenderness, and support perimenopausal and menopausal transitions. Here’s how seed cycling works, the nutritional benefits of each seed, and why it’s worth trying.
Understanding the Menstrual Cycle & Hormonal Phases
The menstrual cycle has four key phases, each with distinct hormonal activity:
1. Menstrual Phase (Days 1-5): The beginning of the cycle, marked by menstruation, when estrogen and progesterone levels drop, triggering the shedding of the uterine lining.
2. Follicular Phase (Days 6-14): Estrogen levels gradually rise to stimulate follicle growth in the ovaries. This is the phase where seeds can help to support estrogen production.
3. Ovulatory Phase (Days 15-17): A surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) leads to ovulation, where an egg is released. Estrogen is at its peak, while progesterone starts to rise.
4. Luteal Phase (Days 18-28): Following ovulation, progesterone increases to support potential pregnancy. If there is no fertilization, both estrogen and progesterone levels drop toward the end of this phase.
In perimenopause, the body’s estrogen production becomes unpredictable, leading to various symptoms like irregular periods and hot flashes. During menopause, the body produces significantly lower levels of estrogen and progesterone, which can lead to symptoms like bone density loss, mood swings, and sleep disturbances.
How Seed Cycling Works
Seed cycling involves eating specific seeds during the follicular and luteal phases to support hormone production naturally:
1. Follicular Phase (Days 1-14): Flaxseeds and pumpkin seeds
• Flaxseeds: Rich in lignans, which have phytoestrogen properties, flaxseeds can help balance estrogen levels. Lignans are compounds that can bind to excess estrogen in the body, potentially helping to clear it out or balance it.
• Pumpkin seeds: High in zinc, pumpkin seeds support progesterone production, setting the stage for the luteal phase and promoting overall hormonal balance.
2. Luteal Phase (Days 15-28): Sesame seeds and sunflower seeds
• Sesame seeds: Another lignan-rich seed, sesame seeds are thought to support balanced estrogen levels during the luteal phase.
• Sunflower seeds: With their high vitamin E content and selenium, sunflower seeds support progesterone production, helping ease PMS symptoms and promote a smoother transition from luteal to menstrual phase.
Seed Cycling for Special Circumstances
• Perimenopause: As hormone levels fluctuate and cycles become irregular, seed cycling can still support hormonal balance. Alternating flax/pumpkin seeds for the first half and sesame/sunflower seeds for the second provides support for estrogen and progesterone, even with irregular ovulation.
• Menopause: While menstruation ceases, seed cycling can balance estrogen through phytoestrogens, helping support hormonal shifts and overall hormone health.
• Irregular Cycles: For irregular cycles, staying consistent with seed cycling is key. Alternating the two seed phases provides ongoing hormonal support, even if ovulation is unpredictable
Seed Cycling Benefits for Different Life Stages
• Menstrual Health: For menstruating individuals, seed cycling is used to maintain a more regular cycle, ease PMS symptoms, and reduce heavy periods. The natural estrogens and nutrients in the seeds help support hormonal fluctuations throughout each cycle.
• Perimenopause: Seed cycling can be particularly beneficial during perimenopause, where estrogen levels fluctuate. Consuming lignan-rich flax and sesame seeds may help regulate estrogen, which can ease perimenopausal symptoms like irregular cycles, mood changes, and hot flashes.
• Menopause: While menstruation stops during menopause, seed cycling can still offer benefits. Seeds like flax and sesame provide phytoestrogens, which may gently support estrogen levels to ease menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, while zinc-rich pumpkin seeds and selenium from sunflower seeds can promote bone and immune health.
Nutritional Benefits of the Seeds in Seed Cycling
• Flaxseeds: High in omega-3 fatty acids and lignans, flaxseeds offer heart and hormone health benefits.
• Pumpkin seeds: Rich in magnesium, zinc, and antioxidants, these seeds support progesterone and help with sleep quality, blood sugar balance, and stress management.
• Sesame seeds: High in calcium, magnesium, and lignans, sesame seeds support bone health, mood balance, and estrogen metabolism.
• Sunflower seeds: Packed with vitamin E, selenium, and healthy fats, sunflower seeds support hormone balance, skin health, and immune function.
Make Seed Cycling Easy with Funk It Wellness Seed Cycling Kit
Funk It Wellness Seed Cycling Kit takes the guesswork out of seed cycling, making it simple and convenient to stay consistent. With pre-measured, freshly ground organic seeds, you get maximum nutrient absorption without the hassle of grinding or measuring. Plus, there’s a helpful calendar on the back of the packaging to mark your cycle and stay organized. Whether you’re new to seed cycling or looking for an easier option, this kit provides high-quality, organic seeds to support your hormone health and cycle. It’s an effective and effortless investment in your well-being.
Why Choose Ground Seeds?
Ground seeds are essential for maximum absorption. Whole seeds can be hard to digest, meaning your body might not get the full benefit from them. Grinding makes nutrients more accessible, and since seed cycling requires specific amounts, pre-measured servings are ideal for consistency.
How to Incorporate Seed Cycling into Your Routine
The great thing about seed cycling is how easy it is to include these seeds in your diet. Here are 20 ways you can add them to your meals and snacks:
1. Sprinkle on oatmeal or porridge
2. Add to smoothies or smoothie bowls
3. Stir into yogurt or dairy-free alternatives
4. Mix into your morning chia pudding
5. Blend into pancake or waffle batter
6. Top your salad with the seeds
7. Add to homemade granola or trail mix
8. Stir into soups or stews for extra crunch
9. Toss in a bowl of roasted vegetables
10. Mix into a grain bowl (like quinoa or rice)
11. Add to your energy bites or protein bars
12. Blend into salad dressings for added nutrients
13. Stir into hummus or dips
14. Mix into your homemade muffins or baked goods
15. Add to a wrap or sandwich filling
16. Sprinkle on top of avocado toast
17. Mix into your morning coffee or tea (great in smoothies too)
18. Stir into homemade nut butter
19. Add to a bowl of popcorn for a crunchy topping
20. Sprinkle on top of your fruit salad for added texture
These are just a few simple ways to incorporate seed cycling into your diet without much hassle. The seeds are versatile, making it easy to stay consistent with your hormonal health goals!
➡️ Funk It Wellness Seed Cycling Kit
*FOR A LIMITED TIME SAVE $5 WITH THE LINK ABOVE ON YOUR KIT*
*This information is not intended as medical advice. If you are allergic to any of the ingredients or have any underlying health conditions, please consult a healthcare professional before starting seed cycling or making changes to your diet.