What should you eat to reduce prolactin?
Prolactin is a hormone that plays multiple roles in health but which the body sometimes produces to excess. Hyperprolactinaemia, infertility, loss of libido, irregular periods, erectile problems: find out what to do to lower your levels of 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.).
SUPERSMART’S TARGETED FORMULATIONS:
References
- GOFFIN, V., TOURAINE, Ph, BINART, N., et al.Vers une nouvelle perception de la prolactine en physiopathologie humaine. Disponible sur: http://www. edimark. fr/Front/frontpost/getfiles/2993. pdf" ontpost/getfiles/2993. pdf, 2016.
- MAJUMDAR, Abha et MANGAL, Nisha Sharma. Hyperprolactinemia. Principles and Practice of Controlled Ovarian Stimulation in ART, 2015, p. 319-328.
- MAH, Peak Mann et WEBSTER, Jonathan. Hyperprolactinemia: etiology, diagnosis, and management. In : Seminars in reproductive medicine. Copyright© 2002 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.:+ 1 (212) 584-4662, 2002. p. 365-374.
- SEGAL, Shmuel, YAFFE, Haim, LAUFER, Neri, et al.Male hyperprolactinemia: effects on fertility. Fertility and Sterility, 1979, vol. 32, no 5, p. 556-561.
- TUZCU, Alparslan, BAHCECI, M., DURSUN, M., et al.Insulin sensitivity and hyperprolactinemia. Journal of endocrinological investigation, 2003, vol. 26, no 4, p. 341-346.
- DE, Alok, BOYADJIEVA, Nadka, OOMIZU, Souichi, et al.Ethanol induces hyperprolactinemia by increasing prolactin release and lactotrope growth in female rats. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 2002, vol. 26, no 9, p. 1420-1429.
- AKOUEDEGNI, C. G., TOSSA, I. Gbégo, DAGA, F. D., et al.Synthèse des connaissances sur les plantes galactogènes et leurs usages en République du Bénin. Rec. Agr. Bénin, 2012, p. 24-35.
- ROSE, David P. The interactions between vitamin B6 and hormones. Vitamins & Hormones, 1979, vol. 36, p. 53-99.
- BEN-JONATHAN, Nira et HNASKO, Robert. Dopamine as a prolactin (PRL) inhibitor. Endocrine reviews, 2001, vol. 22, no 6, p. 724-763.
- SINHA, Sonam, SHARMA, Sonal, VORA, Jaykant, et al.Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC chemo sensitize human breast cancer cells via downregulation of prolactin-mediated JAK2/STAT5A signaling. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 2018, vol. 217, p. 23-35.
- SHUKLA, Kamla Kant, MAHDI, Abbas Ali, AHMAD, Mohammad Kaleem, et al.Mucuna pruriens improves male fertility by its action on the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonadal axis. Fertility and sterility, 2009, vol. 92, no 6, p. 1934-1940.
- SHUKLA, K. K., MAHDI, A. A., SHANKWAR, S. N., et al.Effect of Mucuna pruriens on hormonal status and semen quality in infertile males. Contraception, 2008, vol. 78, no 2, p. 194.
Keywords
2 Days
Easy to order
Easy to order, good and fast delivery to Finland, the box was intact and the content exactly what I ordered. I am satisfied. Product prices are on moderate level. Thank you Supersmart!
VIITANEN Esa
6 Days
Fine quality service
Thanks to team who met what I need such as trust, good packages and fast delivery. Regarding products it is too early to give a comment. After using for a while, I gonna update my review. I had bought supplements mostly for autism.
Fatma Coltu
7 Days
efficient easy to use
efficient eqsy to use
Mr G Birtles
13 Days
Quick processing orders…
You are so quick in processing orders and prompt in shipping too. Very easy to do business with you. Thanks a lot for your great service.
JOAQUIN Epifanio
19 Days
I am merely judging the delivery system
I am merely judging the delivery system, which was flawless. It wouldn't make any sense to comment on the efficacy of the supplements, since that is only possible on a statistical basis. Even if something doesn't improve, that doesn't have to mean that the supplement doesn't work, since one doesn't know how it might have worsened without the supplement and the opposite might also apply, since many symptoms are psychosomatic and the supplement might provide a placebo effect.
Roger De Backer
27 Days
Perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Patrick
29 Days
Magnesium and Zinc Orotate are top…
Magnesium and Zinc Orotate are top supplements. Highly recommend!
Kristjan
40 Days
Clean, simple, effective
Nothing to complain. Delivers everything fast, attentive to their regular customers. Best experience.
FABIO I.
43 Days
Possibility to enjoy a variety of high…
Possibility to enjoy a variety of high quality suppléments. Fast delivery Good packaging Clear information and website
Vov Oo
45 Days
Efficient ordering and delivery
Efficient ordering and delivery. Happy with products. I order fairly regularly. Reliable
Gill Lee
45 Days
Happy customer.
Supersmart sell the best products and are effecient when it come to handling and dispatching orders. Also, their return and refund policies is very simple and easy for the customer. The creme on top is the return customer discounts. Keep up the good work.
ABDULQADER Jehad
49 Days
Prompt and reliable.
Prompt and reliable.
MIFSUD Joseph
55 Days
great? / OK
I don't use the word great; everything was OK; it is maybe too early to expect an effect of the supplements
STAEHLI C
62 Days
Well,It was yesterday I started using…
Well,It was yesterday I started using it but I can tell the supplement is working perfect,will definitely still give best comments once I'm done using it ...
ANTHONY Oluwaseun Ugwu
63 Days
Great products
Great products, fast delivery.
Nujood ALHADDAD