Seed cycling is slowly gaining traction among people who wish to enjoy natures remedies instead of going for modern medicine. According to Food and Humanity 2024 volume, it is a naturopathic remedy that is said to balance your hormones by regulating estrogen in the first half of your menstrual cycle and then regulating progesterone in the second half of it. The journal explains people are looking at plant-based foods, like seeds, to help with PCOS. They can help control hormones like insulin and fight stress in the body. Seed cycling is a way to eat different seeds at different times of your cycle to balance hormones. The idea is that different seeds affect estrogen and progesterone levels. In a normal cycle, estrogen rises in the first half, then drops, while progesterone rises in the second half. Things like PCOS, thyroid issues, or weight problems can upset this balance. Seed cycling suggests flax seeds help regulate estrogen, and pumpkin seeds boost progesterone. Sesame seeds are said to lower estrogen, and sunflower seeds to raise progesterone. How Do The Seeds Help? To understand how seeds can affect a menstrual cycle, one must understand how the phases of a menstrual cycle work. The 2018 ' The Normal Menstrual Cycle and the Control of Ovulation’ explains that in the first half of a regular menstrual cycle, estrogen rises as eggs develop. Just before ovulation, other hormones spike, and then estrogen dips. After ovulation, progesterone and estrogen rise together, preparing for pregnancy. If no pregnancy occurs, they drop, and the cycle starts again. Now women who have issues like PCOS or thyroid issues can have hormonal imbalances. The British Journal of Pharmacology explains that seed cycling relies on the idea that plant compounds called lignans, found in seeds like flax seeds, can affect estrogen levels. Lignans are a type of phytoestrogen, a plant-derived compound with estrogen-like properties. According to the 2019 Journal Molecules flax seeds might help with cycle regularity and reduce breast pain, the overall effect on hormone balance is quite weak. Sesame seeds, on the other hand, haven't shown a direct impact on estrogen levels according to the Journal of Nutrition. Although zinc and vitamin E, found in these seeds, are important for good health, there's no strong evidence that getting them from seeds in this way significantly improves hormone balance. For women with normal menstrual cycles, seed cycling is likely unnecessary, as their bodies already produce the right amounts of hormones. Women with diagnosed hormone imbalances should consult a healthcare professional for appropriate medical advice, as seed cycling alone is unlikely to be sufficient. What Are Seeds That Have A Positive Effect On Menopause According to the above mentioned studies, Flax seeds may slightly increase estrogen and reduce menopause symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Sesame seeds might also offer benefits, but more research is needed. Some studies find these seeds no more effective than a placebo. Zinc and vitamin E don't seem to affect menopause symptoms. While flax and sesame seeds can be healthy, there's no proof that seed cycling's specific timing and amounts are beneficial. Even if seed cycling doesn't balance hormones, these seeds are still healthy. They're rich in fiber, vitamins, and healthy fats. They can improve heart health, lower cancer risk, and help with blood sugar and inflammation. Adding these seeds to your diet is a good way to boost your overall health, even if they don't fix hormonal issues.