Seed rotation: how it works for women
La Seed Rotation o Seed Cycling it is a technique born in America, not yet scientifically validated, which has however been seen to obtain good results in the natural re-balancing of the hormonal structure (especially female).
This is the rotation of four types of oil seeds:
- Pumpkin;
- lino;
- sesame;
- girasole.
to add raw, salads, smoothies or any preparation that, alternating, support and stimulate the production of hormones during the month.
This is not limited to streaming days, but, to the entire 28-day menstrual cycle, and each seed, thanks to the well-known beneficial properties, stimulates and regulates the production of hormones related to the cycle.
It is a type of protocol valid for all women: both for those suffering from premenstrual syndrome and for heavy flows and irregular periods.
Seed rotation and key hormones of the female cycle
Estrogen and progesterone are two of the key hormones which help regulate the menstrual cycle. Estrogen increases during the first half of the cycle, while progesterone levels increase during the second half of the cycle.
An imbalance between estrogen and progesterone during this cycle, it can contribute to the emotional and physical symptoms typical of PMS such as cramps, acne, anovulation and irregular cycles.
The cycle is mainly divided into two phases:
- First phase of the cycle - follicular phase;
- Second phase of the cycle - luteal phase.
During the phase one, follicular, from day 1 to day 14, the woman's body produces a lot of estrogen, useful for forming the endometrium, the cell wall where the fertilized egg will be housed.
At this stage it is recommended take every day a teaspoon of pumpkin seeds and a teaspoon of flax seeds, before or during meals.
Pumpkin seeds contain zinc which promotes the release of progesterone, and flax seeds with their lignans (natural substances, which belong to the class of phytoestrogens) block excess estrogen.
Balancing hormone levels at this stage is helpful for counteract any symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome such as cycle irregularities, acne tendencies and hirsutism.
These same seeds are also useful for amenorrhea (absence of cycle) and for the discomfort induced by menopause.
Phase two, the luteal phase, runs from day 15 to day 28 and during this time the body produces more progesterone, which is useful for thickening the endometrium.
In this second stage the advice is to hire one teaspoon a day of sesame seeds and one teaspoon of sunflower seeds.
Sesame seeds contain, like flax seeds, lignans in good quantities, and help to control the production of estrogen, while sunflower seeds guarantee selenium, a micro element that supports detoxification in the liver.
What are the benefits of seed cycling?
The mineral salts and vitamins contained in them are specific to the phase you are going through, improving your mood and over time alleviating pain related to the menstrual cycle.
Having no unwanted effects of any kind, the rotation of the seeds can be followed without time limitations.
Seed rotation: how to integrate seeds into the diet
The best way to properly take on all the properties of oil seeds is chop or grind them.
It's possible add them to smoothies, natural juices, yogurt but also in salads, soups.
You can even think about crumbling them above one pasta if the sauce is sufficiently creamy.
The seeds don't have an overbearing flavor, and, if reduced to flour, their presence will be almost imperceptible. You can therefore also add them to the dough for cakes, pancakes and muffins.
You can chop the seeds necessary for the needs of the whole week then storing them in the refrigerator: the oils contained in the seeds in fact go rancid easily.
If you are following a drug therapy, it is always good to talk to your doctor first to avoid interactions.
