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has been found to interfere with pancreatic functioning, increase liver disease risk, lower testosterone and contribute to anxiety and malnutrition. The liver is very important for hormonal balance and has over 500 different functions in the body! Of course it's extremely important to quit smoking too. Studies have found that smoking interferes with normal immunological and reproductive processes. Compared with nonsmokers, moderate to heavy smokers (≥ 10 cigarettes/day) have abnormal levels of steroid metabolites and reproductive hormones that can be up to 35 percent higher than usual. 9. Supplement with Vitamin D3 According to an article from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vitamin D3's role in promoting health is more profound than previously suspected. Researchers found that vitamin D has an impact in the following ways: It affects "the adaptive immune system, the innate immune system, insulin secretion by the pancreatic β cell, multifactorial heart functioning and blood pressure regulation, and brain and fetal development." Vitamin D almost acts like a hormone inside the body and has important implications for keeping inflammation levels low. This is why people who live in dark areas often suffer from seasonal depression and other health problems unless they supplement with vitamin D. Most people should supplement with around 2,000 IU to 5,000 IU daily of vitamin D3. 10. Back Off Birth Control Pills In simplest terms, "the pill" is a type of hormone therapy that raises estrogen levels to such dangerous levels that it can cause many complications. I cannot urge you strongly enough to stop using the pill immediately, especially considering that there are many other (safer) ways to prevent pregnancy. Studies show that the risks of taking birth control pills, especially long-term, can include: • Breakthrough bleeding between cycles • Increased risk of breast cancer • Increased risk of uterine bleeding, blood clotting, heart attack and stroke • Migraines • Increased blood pressure • Weight gain • Back pains • Mood changes • Nausea • Benign liver tumors • Breast tenderness Precautions When Treating Hormonal Imbalances In some cases, synthetic hormonal treatments (such as insulin or thyroid medication) will be necessary to treat a hormonal imbalance. However the majority of people can feel a lot better by making the lifestyle changes described above. For people with diagnosed hormonal disorders− including type 1 or type 2 diabetes, Adrenal Insufficiency, Addison's Disease, Graves's Disease and Cushing's Syndrome for example− it's always important to speak with your doctor before discontinuing medication use. The natural treatments above can still help you overcome your illness and greatly reduce symptoms, but these recommendations shouldn't take the place of medical supervision. Because hormone imbalances vary so widely in terms of severity of symptoms, always keep track of how you're feeling, do your research and evaluate how you respond to different treatments. Final Thoughts on Hormonal Imbalances: • Hormonal imbalances affect many millions of people worldwide, in the forms of common disorders like diabetes, thyroid disorders, menstrual irregularities, infertility, low testosterone and estrogen dominance. • Symptoms include feeling anxious, tired, irritable, gaining or losing weight, not sleeping well and noticing changes in your sex drive, focus and appetite. • Causes for hormonal imbalances include poor gut health, inflam- mation, high amounts of stress, genetic susceptibility, and toxicity. • Natural treatments include eating an anti-inflammatory diet, consuming enough omega-3s, getting good sleep, exercising and controlling stress. Abby's Magazine - Volume 5 Issue 2| Page 15