How To Lower Prolactin | The Hormone Destroying Your Health

Name: How To Lower Prolactin | The Hormone Destroying Your Health
Uploaded: 2023-04-29T14:00:28.000Z
Duration: 48 min 22 s

Introduction

In this section, the speaker introduces the topic of prolactin and explains why he chose to make a video about it.

Prolactin and its Importance

Prolactin is a hormone that plays a crucial role in lactation for new mothers.

It also has other roles such as reducing stress, encouraging nurturing behaviors, promoting weight gain during pregnancy, reducing anxiety, and promoting interpersonal bonding.

Prolactin has some profound effects on men as well. It promotes fatherly behavior, decreases stress markers, promotes testosterone and sperm production, improves fertility and sexual function.

Prolactin appears to have some other regulatory functions in both men and women such as promoting myelin repair and growth of white matter in the brain.

Negative Impact of Elevated Prolactin Levels

In this section, the speaker talks about how elevated levels of prolactin can negatively impact health and mental status.

Health Risks Associated with High Levels of Prolactin

When levels rise too high or outside the context of caretaking, prolactin can have a notable negative impact on health and mental status.

The issue with prolactin is that it can cause depressive symptoms when levels are elevated.

Personal Experience with Elevated Prolactin Levels

In this section, the speaker shares his personal experience with elevated prolactin levels.

Discovering Elevated Prolactin Levels

The speaker discovered elevated prolactin levels while trying to recover naturally from steroid use which proved to be far more difficult than he had originally intended.

One of the side effects of steroid use as well as trt use is not just an elevation of estrogen but also an elevation and prolactin.

The speaker was experiencing a lot of depressive symptoms at the time which led him down the rabbit hole of trying to figure out what was going on.

Video Sponsor

In this section, the speaker talks about today's video sponsor, Element.

Introduction to Element

Element is a perfectly proportioned electrolyte mix of sodium potassium and magnesium that makes it extremely easy to help meet your electrolyte needs.

Aside from the science of elements ability to help keep you hydrated, it also tastes amazing and has absolutely zero sugars or fillers in it.

Drinking element during workouts over the past several months has been an absolute game-changer for the speaker in regards to his physical performance and mental performance as well.

Conclusion

In this section, the speaker concludes by summarizing what he discussed in the video.

Summary

Prolactin plays a crucial role in lactation for new mothers but also has other roles such as reducing stress, encouraging nurturing behaviors, promoting weight gain during pregnancy, reducing anxiety, and promoting interpersonal bonding.

Elevated levels of prolactin can negatively impact health and mental status causing depressive symptoms when levels are elevated.

The speaker discovered elevated prolactin levels while trying to recover naturally from steroid use which proved to be far more difficult than he had originally intended.

Element is a perfectly proportioned electrolyte mix that helps meet your electrolyte needs while keeping you hydrated.

The Importance of Prolactin Homeostasis

This section discusses the negative side effects associated with high prolactin levels and the importance of maintaining prolactin homeostasis.

Negative Side Effects of High Prolactin Levels

High prolactin levels can lead to negative side effects such as leptin resistance, lowered glucose tolerance, increased food intake, sexual dysfunction, hypothyroidism, gynecomastia, infertility and depression.

Lifestyle factors such as exercise, sauna use, stress (lack of), sad events/songs/movies and even masturbation can increase prolactin levels.

Modulating Prolactin Release

Increasing dopamine levels is the primary means by which we have to suppress prolactin production. Other hormones and neurotransmitters that modulate the release of prolactin include estrogen, thyrotropin releasing hormone and thyroid stimulating hormone.

Foods can also help modulate the release of prolactin by affecting other neurotransmitter and hormonal pathways. In this video we will focus on foods to avoid as well as foods to eat in order to optimize the levels of prolactin.

Foods That Increase Prolactin Levels

This section discusses foods that increase prolactin levels.

Foods to Avoid

Soy products contain phytoestrogens which mimic estrogen in the body leading to an increase in prolactin levels.

Dairy products contain caseins which are known to stimulate the production of both estrogen and progesterone leading to an increase in prolactin levels.

Alcohol consumption can lead to an increase in prolactin levels due to its effect on dopamine production.

Foods That Decrease Prolactin Levels

This section discusses foods that decrease prolactin levels.

Foods to Eat

Vitamin B6 is known to help regulate prolactin levels and can be found in foods such as chickpeas, tuna, salmon, potatoes and bananas.

Zinc is also important for regulating prolactin levels and can be found in foods such as oysters, beef, pumpkin seeds and spinach.

Magnesium is another mineral that helps regulate prolactin levels and can be found in foods such as almonds, cashews, spinach and avocado.

Effects of Weight on Prolactin Levels

In this section, the speaker discusses how weight affects prolactin levels and the mechanisms behind it.

Obesity and Prolactin Levels

Obesity leads to messed up appetite regulation, which increases prolactin levels.

Weight loss has been shown to lower prolactin levels in obese subjects.

Effects of Being Too Lean

When too lean, prolactin levels increase due to suppression of GnRH and stimulation of appetite.

To optimize hormonal profiles when too lean, gain a few extra pounds.

Foods that Affect Prolactin Levels

Foods that suppress dopamine levels can elevate prolactin levels.

Polyunsaturated fats, specifically omega-6 fatty acids, suppress dopamine levels and increase prolactin levels.

Optimizing the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in the diet can help optimize dopamine and prolactin levels.

High blood sugar suppresses dopaminergic function and decreases dopamine production enzyme. It may also lead to an elevation in prolactin when combined with protein.

Summary: Effects of Weight and Diet on Prolactin Levels

This section summarizes the key points discussed regarding how weight and diet affect prolactin levels.

Key Points

Obesity leads to messed up appetite regulation, which increases prolactin levels. Weight loss can lower them.

Being too lean can also increase prolactin due to suppression of GnRH and stimulation of appetite. Gaining a few extra pounds can help optimize hormonal profiles.

Foods that suppress dopamine levels, such as polyunsaturated fats and high blood sugar, can elevate prolactin levels.

Optimizing the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in the diet can help optimize dopamine and prolactin levels.

Foods that Affect Prolactin Levels

In this section, the speaker discusses various foods that can affect prolactin levels in the body.

Sugar and Carbohydrates

High blood sugar levels can elevate prolactin levels.

Brown rice has also been shown to elevate prolactin levels.

Individuals who don't handle sugar well or are relatively inactive should avoid sugar intake.

Estrogenic Foods

Foods with estrogenic activities have been shown to increase prolactin levels.

Phytoestrogens and synthetic xenoestrogens fall under this category.

Lowering body fat percentage can reduce estrogen conversion and production of prolactin.

Opioid Receptor Stimulating Foods

Opioids have been shown to increase prolactin levels.

Wheat, whey, casein, barley, and gluten have been linked to an activation of the opioid receptor in the gut which may increase prolactin levels.

Thyroid Hormone-Lowering Foods

Goitrogens inhibit thyroid's ability to utilize iodine to produce thyroid hormones.

Cruciferous vegetables, beans legumes, various roots fall under this category.

Avoiding these foods will optimize thyroid hormones but also optimize prolactin levels secondarily.

Other Foods That Increase Prolactin Levels

Beta glucan and pectins from grains and oats as well as mushrooms have been shown to increase prolactin levels.

Alcohol and nicotine consumption can also lead to elevated prolactin levels.

Foods That Suppress Prolactin Release

Increasing dopamine release is one of the most surefire ways to suppress excess prolactin release.

Nutrients and Hormones to Optimize Prolactin Levels

In this section, the speaker discusses various nutrients and hormones that can help optimize prolactin levels.

Nutrients for Dopamine Production

L-tyrosine suppresses prolactin levels.

Iron, B6, B1, B3, and vitamin C are necessary for dopamine production and suppressing prolactin levels.

Cysteine preserves dopaminergic function when combined with glycine.

NMDA Receptor Blockers

Zinc and magnesium block the NMDA receptor, which increases prolactin levels.

GABA Optimization

Arginine Proline B6 and zinc increase GABA levels in the central nervous system.

L-theanine supplements also increase GABA levels.

Thyroid Hormone Optimization

Iodine, selenium, and vitamin A elevate thyroid hormones which suppress tsrh and trh to lower prolactin levels.

Importance of Nutrient Intake

Prioritizing nutrient intake is crucial to optimizing prolactin levels.

Vitamin E and D deficiencies have been shown to elevate prolactin levels through various mechanisms.