Hello and welcome to the Nutrition Diva podcast. I'm your host Monica Reinagal.

Several of you have written lately to ask about seed cycling.

This is a newly trendy practice that claims to help with

pre-menstral syndrome, menopausal symptoms,

and general hormonal balance.

So in today's episode, I'm going to explain what seed cycling is,

how it's supposed to work, what evidence there is to support it,

and whether or not it is safe.

Seed cycling is not really new, but it is safe. Seed cycling is not really new but it is newly trendy. The idea behind

seed cycling is that certain types of seeds can help regulate the levels of

estrogen progesterone and other hormones in your body.

Synchronizing your consumption of various seeds with your menstrual cycle can allegedly relieve

hormone-related symptoms,

such as PMS, PCOS, that's polycystic ovarian syndrome,

irregular periods, hot flashes,

and generally increase your level of well-being.

Some even claim that seed cycling can help you get pregnant.

In a typical seed cycling protocol, you would eat two tablespoons of ground. Chewing well, of course, counts as grinding. During phase one, which lasts two weeks, you eat

a tablespoon of flax and a tablespoon of pumpkin seeds. And then during phase two, which also lasts two weeks, a 1, 9 grams of fat, 4 grams of protein, and 3 grams of fiber to your day.

Now if you are still menstruating, you'd start phase one, that's the pumpkin and the

flaxseed, on the first day of your period, and then switch

to phase two, that's sunflower and sesame seeds, on or around day 14.

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