What should you eat to reduce prolactin?

Prolactin: the lactation hormone … but that’s not all

A polypeptide hormone produced by part of the pituitary gland, prolactin is a protein primarily known for its role in lactation, the production of breast milk.

However, not only is prolactin also secreted by men, but it fulfils several functions within the body.

Prolactin actually binds to the cell membrane receptors of female mammary glands, as well as those of the ovaries and uterus. In men, it binds to testicle cell membrane receptors.

It thus plays a role in:

• the menstrual cycle;
• male and female fertility;
• libido.

In addition, a number of studies have shown that prolactin peaks in the body just after, and several hours after, orgasm. This post-orgasm rise in prolactin contributes to the feeling of well-being and fulfilment associated with sexual pleasure (1).

Hyperprolactinaemia and fertility, libido, erection and the menstrual cycle

For various reasons (certain medical treatments, thyroid and other problems), the pituitary gland can sometimes produce too much prolactin: when levels of monomeric prolactin in the circulation reach more than 900 mIU/L, it is referred to as hyperprolactinaemia (2).

Hyperprolactinaemia can cause various problems (3):

• disruption to the menstrual cycle, even amenorrhea;
• spontaneous galactorrhoea (a nipple discharge in both women and men);
• infertility, even sterility (4);
• erectile problems, even impotence;
• loss of libido.

Hyperprolactinaemia affects, on average, 1 woman in 1000 and 1 man in 5000.

It’s also worth noting that dopamine inhibits prolactin secretion.

Which diet should you choose to reduce prolactin?

Firstly, it’s been shown that people suffering from anorexia and those with very low blood sugar have high prolactin levels (5). Conversely, those who eat a heathy, balanced diet, with no specific diseases, generally have normal prolactin levels.

So the first step is to maintain a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables, high in vitamins and antioxidants. Alcohol also causes hyperprolactinaemia (6).

It’s also important to ensure your diet does not contain any lactogenic foods – those that stimulate prolactin secretion. So the following plant source foods should ideally be excluded from the diet (7):

• fennel;
• fenugreek;
• oats;
• sesame, almonds, hazelnuts, cumin;
• green aniseed;
• basil;

In other words, in order to promote a reduction in prolactin, you should avoid all the foods recommended to new mums for increasing lactation.

Which remedies are good for lowering prolactin?

In addition, several remedies for the hormone health have proved effective in regulating either hormones in general, or prolactin in particular. They include:

• Vitamin B6, recognised for helping to regulate hormones (8);
• Mucuna pruriens, an Ayurvedic plant which is not only one of the best natural sources of L-dopa (a dopamine precursor and inhibitor of prolactin secretion (9) but which also supports the conversion of prolactin (10-12).

If you’re worried about a symptom of hyperprolactinaemia or simply want to lower your prolactin levels, you can also take a synergistic supplement such as Natural Anti Prolactin Support, which contains both vitamin B6 and Mucuna pruriens (as well as zinc orotate, antioxidant vitamin E, American ginseng extract, etc.).