Prolactin Levels: How To Lower High Prolactin Levels | Seven Reliable Hacks

Prolactin is a hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland. It's responsible for producing breast milk. Prolactin is essential for normal lactation, sexual function, and bone growth. However, if the level of prolactin in the blood is too high, it can have negative side effects such as breast cancer, infertility, and obesity.

If you have high prolactin levels, this could be an indication that you're developing some type of hormonal imbalance or condition (like PCOS in women). The serum prolactin tests can accurately tell you the level of prolactin in your body. Prolactin levels can rise in both men and women. Stress, depression, anxiety, and even prolactinoma are all factors that can trigger a rise in prolactin levels.

Prolactin helps regulate sleep cycles by sending messages between different parts of your brain. It is said that in pregnant women, between each trimester, there's about an 8–10% decrease in blood volume. So, if women don't get enough sleep during this time, then it could increase the stress levels in their bodies, resulting in higher prolactin levels. 

Seven Hacks to Lower Your Prolactin Levels

Avoid Gluten

You can lower your prolactin levels by removing gluten from your diet, as gluten tends to increase levels of the prolactin hormone. Wheat, rye, and barley are all high in gluten, which may cause an inflammatory response in the body when consumed. This could increase the prolactin level and disrupt dopamine production in the hypothalamus. Thus, avoiding gluten could prove to be an effective way to lower prolactin levels.

Avoid Alcohol

Drinking alcohol might raise prolactin levels in the body due to changes in dopamine production. Although drinking alcohol excessively is not recommended for healthy individuals, it is all the more important to ditch your favourite drink if you have a higher prolactin level. Consult your doctor to understand if an occasional beer with your favourite meal is okay or not if you have been tested with high prolactin levels.

Vitamin E And Vitamin B6 Supplements

Doctors often prescribe Vitamin E and Vitamin B6 supplements to those detected with a lower prolactin level, as Vitamin B6 is necessary for dopamine production. Vitamin E is said to be naturally capable of lowering prolactin levels in the blood.

Balancing Blood Sugar

Balancing blood sugar can help lower your levels of prolactin. Studies have found that glucose insensitivity leads to high prolactin levels due to increased fatty acid levels, low insulin receptors, or complications with insulin binding.

Avoid consuming sugary drinks, processed foods, and foods that are high in sugar. Also, make sure to consume enough protein and fibre in your diet. This will help to keep your blood sugar stable and help to reduce prolactin levels. Here are certain food items that can help you balance the blood sugar in your body.

1. Broccoli
2. Pumpkin and pumpkin seeds
3. Seafood
4. Okra
5. Peanut butter
6. Beans
7. Lentils
8. Berries
9. Kale
10. Flax seeds

Avoid High-Intensity Workout

Those having higher prolactin levels in the body are advised to avoid performing high-intensity workouts. Doing mindful and slow movements while exercising is the key to keeping prolactin levels low. Excessive exercise may have negative effects on your body if you have been detected with high prolactin.

Avoid Stress

Stay calm, and your body will produce less prolactin. If you are under a lot of stress, the high levels of cortisol released in your body can lead to an elevated level of prolactin. Taking steps to lower stress, like getting more sleep at night, consuming healthy meals at regular intervals, practising meditation, and doing low-intensity exercises, could help manage the high-stress levels, which may be able to regulate your high levels of prolactin. Do not forget to take frequent, short breaks if you are someone who has to deal with a lot of stress as part of your work.

Avoid Wearing Uncomfortable Clothes

It is important to avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes, especially if you have high prolactin levels in your body. This is because wearing tight and uncomfortable clothes can overstimulate your nipples, leading to increased production of prolactin. 

Conclusion

Prolactin is a hormone responsible for milk production and other reproductive functions in women. Elevated levels of prolactin can lead to a number of problems, including difficulty losing weight, fertility issues, and mood swings.

It is essential to eat nutritious and healthy food to maintain the blood sugar levels in the body. If your blood sugar levels are off balance, it could increase the stress levels in the body and thus cause an increase in cortisol levels. Consuming Vitamin B6 is considered to naturally decrease the prolactin levels in the body by boosting the dopaminergic effect in the hypothalamus. Obesity is another significant factor contributing to higher prolactin levels. Exercising regularly and eating clean are important for dealing with obesity.

It is important to remember that making lifestyle changes and sticking to a routine are significantly important to staying healthy and maintaining healthy prolactin levels in the blood. We hope these tips help you to maintain the prolactin levels in your blood. In the event of any doubts about your prolactin levels, you may consult your physician. And, to get yourself tested, contact Metropolis Healthcare.