Why I No Longer Recommend Nuts + Seeds for Hormone Balance
I know. You’re SHOOK right?
One word: PUFAS, alright, well actually its a few words, PUFAS is short for Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids aka canola, soybean, peanut, corn, sunflower oils. I am sure these are oils you know you shouldn’t be consuming but are you aware that nuts, seeds, beans, grains and fish oil are also PUFAS? That’s right… Hemp seeds, flax seeds, almonds, brazil nuts, pine nuts, walnuts, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, sesame seeds, cod liver oil, fish oil supplements, etc… Yup, all those “superfoods” that heath and wellness influencers love to promote in their daily smoothies are actually causing more harm than good. And don’t worry, I am guilty of this as well. I used to be ALL about the nuts. 🥜😜
So here’s the problem. In nature, PUFAS are designed to withstand the cold winter months and are not stable in warm, high oxygen environments meaning they will become toxic if exposed to heat. What has this hot, humid environment? THE HUMAN BODY! We sit at a nice 98.6 degrees. Talk about a toxic inflammatory storm!
PUFAS are unstable and oxidize when exposed to light, heat and oxygen. PUFAS slow your metabolism and contribute to insulin resistance. They are also estrogenic, leading to hormonal imbalances and estrogen dominance symptoms such as irregular periods, heavy periods, cramping, PMS, and sore breasts..
GIRL, if you got PCOS or any hormonal imbalance ditch the PUFAS.
Another thing to consider- animals, ie, bears consume nuts, seeds, & fatty fish in prep for hibernation to put on fat and slow down their metabolism. Humans don’t hibernate.
I have clients that come to me drinking their almond milk lattes, seed cycling, eating smoothie bowls with all the nuts and they wonder why they can’t lose weight, have been diagnosed with PCOS or other hormonal imbalances and are also dealing with digestive issues. Girlfriend, your body is inflamed and in toxic overload.
And no nobody is perfect, neither am I, I def enjoy a good PUFA every now and then but I make it damn worth it. Shhhh I have a secret, I love to get down on some french fries and aioli👌🏻But on the reg stick to saturated fats like coconut oil and grass-fed butter.