Jenn Pike – Female Hormone Expert

Jenn Pike, best-selling author, Women’s Hormone Specialist and creator of the amazing “Hormone Project” online program for woman.  She is also a Functional Medicine Practitioner, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Medical Exercise specialist, yoga instructor and more!!!!!  Jenn is the guest Holistic Expert for Breakfast TV, Global, Rogers and writes for a number of health and fitness magazines.  Listen in as we talk about hormones, xenoestrogens and detoxing your kitchen. 

Jenn will be featured right here over the next 4 weeks as we share all of her 4 blogs surrounding the 4 Phases of the Female cycle. She has a brand new “Hormone Project” online course starting on April 27th, and there are still spots left!  Visit her website for more information: https://jennpike.com.

Phase #1: The Follicular Phase

The follicular phase is like a bridge between menstruation and ovulation. It begins after your period and goes until ovulation.

During this phase, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) encourages follicles in your ovaries to grow. Each follicle contains an egg, and each egg matures and develops leading up to your ovulation. One of these follicles will become the dominant one and release an egg during ovulation. As these follicles grow, they release a special type of estrogen, called estradiol. This is one of 3 estrogens, and typically the only one tested in blood work. Thanks to estradiol, you feel more energetic and have a higher libido during the follicular phase. It’s also why you feel more confident and good overall. If your estrogen is off – too high or too low – this can throw your whole system out of balance.

Here are some great nutrient dense foods add into your Follicular Phase cycle. It’s great to incorporate sprouted and fermented foods if you can handle them. These foods help your body metabolize estrogen and keep it from getting out of hand.

Top fermented foods include:
* Sauerkraut
* Bean and broccoli sprouts
* Kimchi
* Kombucha
* Yogurt or kefir
* Miso
* Natto
* Tempeh
* Pickles

You don’t have to go crazy with these fermented foods. In fact, it’s probably best if you incorporate small amounts slowly so you don’t offset the bacteria in your gut. Just add a small serving of any of these foods into your meals to support your follicular phase.

Other foods that are recommended for this phase include:
* Citrus fruits, like lemon, lime and oranges
* Avocado
* Olive oil
* Gluten-free Oats
* Barley
* Lettuce
* Zucchini
* Carrots
* Mung beans and lima beans
* Brazil and cashew nuts
* Organic Chicken
* Organic Eggs

This is also a FANTASTIC time to add in 1-3 tbsp. Fresh ground flax seed or pumpkin seeds as part of seed cycling and good elimination support for your body. Pooping well daily is a critical piece to optimizing hormonal health. I add them to smoothies, coconut yogurt and salads

Want to see this entire blog and learn more about Jenn; visit her website Jennpike.com or follow her on social media @jennpike.

See more of Jenn’s videos on her YouTube Channel: Jenn Pike YouTube