G OOD
Nutrition
Cycling Sexy Seeds BY DR. SHELBY ENTNER, nd
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ver the last few years, seed cycling has been enjoying a renaissance with increased recognition about how it can support the two halves of women’s menstrual cycles. Seed cycling has long been used to support women's hormones by supplying them with the nutrients they need at specific phases of their cycle. Naturopathic physicians have been using these traditional “sexy” seeds for decades as part of a holistic approach to supporting healthy menstruation.
Estrogen and progesterone are two key hormones that help us regulate our menstrual cycles. During the first half of the cycle (from the start of the menstrual period to ovulation), estrogen levels rise. Levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) increase just before ovulation, and estrogen levels drop just after ovulation. After ovulation, progesterone levels rise while estrogen begins to decline. Then both hormones ultimately trail off which allows for the start of the menstrual period.
DR. SHELBY ENTNER, nd is a licensed Naturopathic Physician and the owner and founder of Vero Health Naturopathic Medicine in the Okanagan. She earned her doctoral degree in Naturopathic Medicine in 2002 after ten years of studies. Dr. Shelby empowers patients to make changes that are in alignment with their health values and goals and seeks to find answers by looking at the whole picture, instead of simply at a symptom. 19 | March/April 2020
So what is seed cycling and how does that relate to a woman’s cycle? Specific seeds can be consumed at different times to support both estrogen and progesterone levels during a woman’s cycle. Although not really “sexy”, these little protein- and fat-packed seeds can be an important tool in helping to balance the luteal and follicular phases. Seed cycling is the practice of eating specific seeds to support the key hormones of each phase in the menstrual cycle.
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