Period problems? I got you.

Research shows that following a Mediterranean diet pattern and eating foods like olive oil and fruits can support easier periods. Another popular way to use foods to support the menstrual cycle is 👉 seed cycling.

There are no clinical trials on seed cycling, but seeds do contain nutrients known to support hormones, like:

✔️Lignan phytoestrogens

✔️Omega-3 essential fatty acids

✔️Zinc, magnesium, and vitamin E

With seed cycling, women eat:

1️⃣ One tablespoon each per day of ground flax seeds and pumpkin seeds on days 1-14 of the menstrual cycle (phase 1), when estrogen levels rise.

2️⃣ One tablespoon each per day of sesame seeds and sunflower seeds on days 15-28 of the menstrual cycle (phase 2), when progesterone levels rise.

If you’d like to give it a try, here are some easy ways to add seeds into your daily routine:

🥤 Add a scoop to your smoothie

🥣 Mix into yogurt

🥗 Toss into salad

🍓 Sprinkle over toast, nut butter, and fresh fruit

Nutrition is one of many ways we can support healthier hormones and easier cycles. If you need more support with hormone health, you're in the right place!

Visit our website to schedule an initial visit with Dr. Cantrell! 🌱

REFERENCE:
Onieva-Zafra MD, Fernández-Martínez E, Abreu-Sánchez A, et al. Relationship between Diet, Menstrual Pain and other Menstrual Characteristics among Spanish Students. Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1759. Published 2020 Jun 12. [link]

Have you heard the hype about seed cycling? Let’s break it down.

Seed cycling is a naturopathic therapy that has been used for many years. It means eating specific seeds during different phases of the menstrual cycle to support hormonal balance.

Our hormones are changing every day, and a healthy period depends on a cyclical change in hormones every month, like this:

🔹 During phase 1 (days 1-14 of your cycle), estrogen levels gradually rise to trigger ovulation on day 14.

🔸 During phase 2 (days 15-28 of your cycle), progesterone levels peak.

The idea with seed cycling is to eat seeds during phase 1 that support estrogen metabolism and seeds during phase 2 that support progesterone.

Like this:

🔹 Eat 1 tablespoon each per day of ground flax seeds and pumpkin seeds during phase 1.

🔸 Eat 1 tablespoon each per day of sesame seeds and sunflower seeds during phase 2.

It’s best to eat ground seeds so that you’ll absorb the most nutrients from them.

We know that seeds are rich in healthy essential fatty acids as well as nutrients and minerals like zinc.

But to be clear—even though seed cycling has been used by thousands of women who report improvements in their menstrual cycle, there are no actual clinical trials on this method.

Still, there is no harm in eating nutritional seeds every day, so it’s something that I often recommend as part of a complete naturopathic approach to hormone balance.

Especially for women wanting better periods.

Have you tried it?

Seed Cycling: What You Need to Know

What Is Seed Cycling?