Some thoughts and discussions from me.
Seed Cycling for Hormonal Health
Good morning 
I’m up extra bright and early today. July’s a big month for going on vacations, or so is the trend with my clients. Because of this – and being in a bathing suit on said vacations – my clients have been squeezing in extra workouts before they head out. I’m totally down with this, as it just means a few extra sessions to train. And it sounds like it’s about to pick up a little more! It’s looking like I’ll be teaching a few more classes a week coming up soon here, too. It took a while, but my work schedule is finally really picking up 
This brings me to a little bit of an issue. As my class schedule picks up, my activity level picks up. Depending on the class, I either do a command-style instruction (not doing the workout with them) or a practice-style (doing the workout with them.)
With more practice-style classes on my schedule, my other training outside of class will have to slow down a bit, as I don’t want to cross that line into over training again.
This is a good time to take a second to put a disclaimer in here: male readers, you can probably check out now. We’re about to talk about hormones.
If you’re a regular reader of YTP, you know that I have had issues with with my cycle for a long time. Even growing up, it was never the regular 28 day cycle. Then I was put on birth control pills. Then I got off and it was pretty irregular – 40 days apart. Then all of the sudden, last year around June, it pretty much stopped all together. If you’re not caught up, and would like to be (though totally not necessary for this post,) you can read about my PCOS diagnosis, and follow up posts here, here, and here.
Anyway, here we are present day, and my cycle is like clock work. It’s 28 days, and everything’s working just the way it should be. It sounds weird, but each month on that first day, I get so excited, and don’t take my fertility for granted. In fact, I partake in several different practices to support fertility health. Among the top three are eating for stabilized blood sugar levels, not overtraining, and practicing mind-body exercises (like yoga, breathing, and meditation.)
Another practice that I do to support my fertility health is called Seed Cycling.
If you’ve never heard of seed cycling, basically the premise is this:
Ingesting certain types of seeds during specific times in the cycle supports hormone health. Basically, during the first half of the cycle, the follicular phase, I consume pumpkin seeds and/or flax seeds in order to promote and support the hormone, estrogen. During the second half, or the luteal phase of my cycle, I eat sunflower seeds and/or sesame seeds to promote the hormone, progesterone. For each phase, I do tbsp. of either/or per day.
The reasoning behind seed cycling is all about omega fatty acids. Flax and pumpkin seeds contain more omega-3 fatty acids, which support estrogen balance, while sunflower and sesame seeds contain more omega-6, which support progesterone balance.
I also cycle my oils based on this evidence. During the luteal phase, I take evening Primrose oil (GLA) and during the follicular phase, I take fish oil (EPA/DHA.
It’s also said to use only raw seeds, but personally, I think pumpkin seeds are infinitely better roasted and salted than they are raw. I may not get the full benefits, but at least I get a super tasty snack 
ha!
So that’s the gist on seed cycling, and why I do it. Like most holistic healing methods, I’m not 100% certain of it’s validity, but it’s an inexpensive, tasty, and still pretty healthy way to get healthy fats in, if nothing else.
Have you ever heard of seed cycling?
What’s your favorite seed?
Mine are roasted pumpkin seeds!
PS – make sure to check out the flapJacked Protein Pancake giveaway I have going on until Monday!
I have never heard of this but am ridiculously intrigued now! I’m definitely going to do some more reading up on seed cycling – it makes total sense and I’m struggling with getting my cycles regular again.
Erica { EricaDHouse.com } recently posted…Blogger Spotlight: Mommy, Run Fast
Interesting I have never heard about. My Naturopath did recommend that I had flax while trying to re-gain my cycles but that was it.
I love sunflower seeds.
Lindsey recently posted…Workout Wednesday
This is so interesting! I had no idea this was even a thing – I’m definitely going to do more research 🙂
Tara @ Sweat like a Pig recently posted…Free from the scale – again!
Very interesting! I’ve never heard of seed cycling before. Yay for a regular cycle! 😉
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries recently posted…07/25/13: Thursday Thoughts
I’ve never heard of seed cycling before! Definitely interesting and something I’ll have to learn more about.
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted…Why I Subscribe to Your Blog.
i’ve never heard of this! so logistical question – do you eat like both seeds each day during the cycle or alternate between the two? i’m totally trying this!
Linz @ Itz Linz recently posted…I’m nutz for NuttZo!
I probably should have clarified that 🙂 I eat either or, 2 tbsp. each day.
I can’t believe you don’t like the raw pumpkin seeds – they’re my favorite haha. I always make them into seed butter, and it’s so tasty.
I’ve heard of seed cycling before but never tried it, I’m actually curious now because I just got some hormone testing done that wasn’t the best!
Lisa recently posted…Healthy Strawberry Frappe
We really need to chat girl! I’m so trying this!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted…Peach Green Smoothie
how have i not hear of this? Wow, so cool! Food does cure and aid in so much! and yay for regularity. I need that. ugh
lindsay recently posted…What I Love About (____) Wednesday & GIVEAWAY
Congrats on your regularity! I need it… If you had to guess which item most helped you get back your cycle, what would it be?! Just curious.. Balanced blood sugar? Cutting back on exercise? Meditation? Thanks! 🙂
I’d say it’s a tie between a few – 1. cutting way back on exercise (I basically don’t do any cardio except for hiking) 2. balanced blood sugar 3. gaining a few lb’s 4. stress less 🙂
I’ve never heard of this! But I am definitely going to try it out as I do have hormone problems. hypothyroidism and PICOS.
Did you say it’s working for you? I’ve been doing it since March and it hasn’t worked yet. What are the symptoms of PCOS besides the hair and other things?
When you wrote about your doctor appointment way back you mentioned seed cycling – and I was so intrigued! Thanks for explaining it now!! Since I had to wait 6 months for my period to come back after getting rid of the pill and now need a regular cycle (TTC), I will definetely give this a try! Thank you, Paige!!