Medically reviewed by Dr. Unsa Mohsin.
PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) has haunted numerous women all over Pakistan for many years. This endocrine disorder is often characterised by varying levels of sex hormones, skin changes, weight gain, excessive body hair and trouble with fertility. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for this disorder. Instead, patients are given various therapies to manage and improve overall symptoms.
Women suffering from PCOS usually adopt numerous lifestyle changes and diet modifications in hopes of improving their condition. From taking various vitamins and supplements to following a strict low carb or low-calorie PCOS diet plans, women with PCOS have tried it all for the sake of natural hormone balancing.
One such dietary modification, or “natural cure”, as it has been touted, has recently been making rounds on social media. This natural remedy goes by the name of seed cycling, and has numerous individuals claiming life changing benefits within the first few months of trying it out. However, is seed cycling actually effective as hormone help, or is it just another false trend to exploit vulnerable females. Let’s take a closer look at this dietary trend to understand it better.
What Is Seed Cycling?
Seed Cycling entails following a cycle of seed consumption that matches your monthly period cycle. There are 4 types of seeds involved in the plan, and followers are supposed to take 1 tablespoon of 2 of these for 2 weeks, and then switch to the other two for the remaining 2 weeks of the month. Sounds confusing? It is! But let’s break it down a little more. A typical seed cycling plan, starting from the first day of your period, or the first day after your period ends, and looks something like this:-
First two weeks:-
- 1 Tbs Flax seeds
- 1 Tbs Pumpkin seeds
The following 2 weeks:-
- 1 Tbs Sesame seeds
- 1 Tbs Sunflower seeds
All seeds are to be ground (yes, chewing counts as grinding also), and consumed raw. You can sprinkle them on your smoothie bowl or mix them in your juice or shake. Or you can even consume these as is with water. It is advisable to have these seeds on an empty stomach in the morning, but it is not necessary.
PCOS nutritionists claim that said seeds act as estrogen boosters and inhibitors, and progesterone boosters, depending on when you have them during your period cycle.
This claim relies on the fact that these seeds contain vital substances such as lignans, zinc, vitamin E and selenium, that help to balance female sex hormones. However, what remains to be seen is how effective these treatments are in humans. Most importantly, is there any concrete evidence that backs these large claims?
What Do Scientists Have To Say About Seed Cycling?
Although seed cycling has a plethora of anecdotal evidence backing its claims, there is insufficient scientific evidence that can support it. Most research regarding this subject has been inconclusive, with little to no results being seen in large studies conducted on the subject. In fact, the effect was akin to a placebo.
The one thing that is apparent from studies though, is that consuming seeds regularly is generally great for your health because of all the vitamins, minerals, fibres, essential fats and good carbs they impart! These benefits can, in turn, help women improve their diets, and in turn notice small improvements in their health as well. However, there is no direct evidence that supports the acclaimed effect of seed cycling to cure Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or balance sex hormones.
Should You Follow Seed Cycling?
If you want to include seeds in your diet, then you absolutely should. There are many science-backed benefits of consuming seeds that can help you improve your overall health. However, balancing hormones naturally is not one of them. So if you are consuming seeds for the sole purpose of naturally increasing your estrogen levels, then you might be disappointed. But, there is absolutely no harm in generally including seeds in your diet to enjoy various other health benefits.
References:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/seed-cycling#seed-benefits
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/does-seed-cycling-help-balance-hormones/
