What is seed cycling?
Seed cycling is a form of biohacking your hormones - I like to describe biohacking as the practice of using nature and science to optimise your health.
Seed cycling involves consuming specific seeds at certain times during the month. There are four key seeds - flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds and they are all Hormonal Health Superfoods! (More on this later).
Nutrients are best absorbed through food and this is why seed cycling is so much more beneficially than just taking a multi-vitamin supplement.
How Seed Cycling works:
Let’s dive into how seed cycling works and then discuss seed cycling specifically for pregnancy and post-partum. For the purposes of seed cycling we have divided our cycle into 2 phases.
Phase 1 is the Follicular Phase (the first half of your cycle - from day 1 of menstruation to around day 14 or ovulation). During this phase you consume 1 scoop of The Seed Cycle Phase 1 blend.
The seeds in Phase 1 help the process and elimination of estrogen and contain some of the following nutrients:
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Omega 3 fatty acids - they help maintain healthy cell membranes
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Lignans is a phytoestrogen - act on the liver to block excess estrogen, lignans can bind to unwanted forms of estrogen.
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Zinc (particularly high in pumpkin seeds) - helps play a role in setting up for progesterone
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High in fiber which helps to bind excess hormones and help your body get rid of them.
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The most well-researched seed when it comes to fertility and hormone balance is flaxseed.
Phase 2 is the Luteal Phase (from day 15 (ovulation) to day 28 or back to menstruation). During this phase you consume 1 scoop of The Seed Cycle Phase 2 blend.
The seeds in Phase 2 help enhance progesterone because they contain:
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Omega 3 and 6 - these help protect cell membranes
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Lignans - block excess estrogen
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Selenium - is high in sesame which helps assist your liver in detoxification.
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Vit E – playing a big role in balancing our nervous and endocrine system to restore optimal hormone levels in the body.
Seed Cycling and Pregnancy
When you fall pregnant your hormones go into overdrive, progesterone and estrogen rise dramatically and continue to rise throughout your pregnancy.
Because of this, it’s not necessary to cycle the seeds while pregnant but instead you can take the seeds each day to get some hormone-boosting foods and nutrients regularly.
The seeds are so supportive and so taking all of them each day during pregnancy will assist in providing the biggest nutritional boost.
Please note that our products meet all shelf-stable requirements. However, it's important to acknowledge that sesame seeds have been rated as a medium risk for salmonella contamination
Post partum Hormones and Seed Cycling
Progesterone drops off almost immediately after delivering the placenta while prolactin remains elevated. Your ovaries will not start creating progesterone again until your first menstrual cycle, which may create a temporary imbalance.
Seed cycling post partum can help you soften the post-partum emotional changes that can occur because of the huge hormone nose-dive.
Hormones at three months postpartum are still working hard to get back to normal. Around two to three months postpartum, your hormones begin to reset to pre-pregnancy levels.
You will likely still experience postpartum hormonal changes - even months after your baby's birth.
And if you've experienced a hormone imbalance before pregnancy, there's a higher likelihood you'll experience it again once your pregnancy hormones have worn off.
The Signs of a Hormonal Imbalance After Pregnancy
Sometimes, pregnancy and childbirth can cause your hormones to become a bit out of whack. In these cases, you might need some help getting back on track.
Some symptoms you might experience if you're dealing with a postpartum hormone imbalance:
- Chronic fatigue
- Anxiety and depression
- Weight gain
- Cysts or fibroids
- Low libido
Customers who have seed cycled post partum have told us they have noticed:
- Little to no postpartum acne and my skin looks fuller and healthier.
- Sleeping better, apart from getting up for bub.
- Mood has been more stable.
Seed cycling post-partum when your menstrual cycle has not yet returned or is irregular:
For post-partum before your menstrual cycle returns or if your period is irregular, it’s recommended to use the phases of the moon as a guide to cycle dates.
Rather than commencing our signature Phase 1 on the first day of your menstrual cycle, seed cycling can commence on the first day of a new moon cycle (lunar cycle). You would switch to Phase 2 on a full moon and continue consuming the blend until the next new moon.
Historical studies have shown that the lunar calendar (moon phases) can be used to regulate a woman’s’ cycle and that the moon’s influence on our bodies can include things such as promoting the release of neurohormones, (noradrenaline produced by nerve cells and secreted into the circulation, plays an important role in our fight or flight response) sex hormones and melatonin.
We are harnessing the power of the moon by seed cycling with it. Find out more about seed cycling with the moon phases here.
Please always seek advice from your health care practitioner before making any dietary changes.