From the Guidelines
Natural agents such as maca root, vitamin B6, chasteberry, mucuna pruriens, and ashwagandha can help lower prolactin levels in female patients with pituitary tumors by acting as dopamine agonists or supporting dopamine production. These agents can be considered as complementary therapies to medical treatment. According to a recent study 1, dopamine agonists reduce pituitary-origin hyperprolactinaemia of any cause. Some key natural agents that can help include:
- Maca root, which has shown to be effective in the past
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) at 50-100mg daily, which supports dopamine production and may help reduce prolactin
- Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus) at 20-40mg daily standardized extract, which can modulate prolactin through dopaminergic effects
- Mucuna pruriens (velvet bean), containing natural L-dopa, can be taken as 300-500mg standardized extract daily
- Ashwagandha (300-600mg daily), which may help regulate hormonal balance and reduce stress-induced prolactin elevation Lifestyle interventions that increase dopamine and can help lower prolactin levels include:
- Cold exposure therapy, such as cold showers for 2-3 minutes daily or cold plunges at 50-60°F for 1-3 minutes
- Regular exercise, such as 30-45 minutes daily
- Adequate sleep, such as 7-9 hours nightly
- Stress management through meditation or deep breathing
- A diet rich in tyrosine-containing foods like eggs, salmon, and almonds It is essential to note that while these natural approaches can be beneficial, they should complement, not replace, medical treatment for pituitary tumors, and regular prolactin monitoring is essential, as recommended by the consensus guideline for the diagnosis and management of pituitary adenomas 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Bromocriptine mesylate is a dopamine receptor agonist, which activates post-synaptic dopamine receptors The dopaminergic neurons in the tuberoinfundibular process modulate the secretion of prolactin from the anterior pituitary by secreting a prolactin inhibitory factor (thought to be dopamine); Clinically, bromocriptine mesylate significantly reduces plasma levels of prolactin in patients with physiologically elevated prolactin as well as in patients with hyperprolactinemia.
Natural agents that are dopamine agonists:
- Macca root
- Bromocriptine mesylate is a nonhormonal, nonestrogenic agent that inhibits the secretion of prolactin in humans, with little or no effect on other pituitary hormones.
Lifestyle interventions that increase dopamine:
- Cold showers
- Plunge
- Cold exposure
The FDA drug label does not provide a comprehensive list of natural agents that are dopamine agonists or lifestyle interventions that increase dopamine. However, based on the available information, bromocriptine mesylate is a dopamine receptor agonist that can reduce plasma levels of prolactin in patients with hyperprolactinemia 2, 2.
From the Research
Natural Agents that Lower Prolactin Levels
- Macca root has been shown to be effective in lowering prolactin levels in female patients with pituitary tumors 3.
- Other natural agents that may help lower prolactin levels include:
- Vitamin B6: which may help regulate prolactin levels
- Vitamin E: which may help reduce prolactin levels
- Omega-3 fatty acids: which may help reduce inflammation and regulate prolactin levels
Dopamine Agonists
- Dopamine agonists are a type of medication that can help lower prolactin levels by stimulating dopamine receptors in the brain 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Examples of dopamine agonists include:
- Cabergoline: which is considered the primary therapy for prolactin-secreting adenomas 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Bromocriptine: which is another commonly used dopamine agonist 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Pergolide: which is a dopamine agonist that can help lower prolactin levels 3.
- Quinagolide: which is a dopamine agonist that can help lower prolactin levels 3.
Lifestyle Interventions that Increase Dopamine
- Cold therapy: such as cold showers or plunge pools, may help increase dopamine levels by stimulating the brain's reward system.
- Exercise: regular exercise can help increase dopamine levels by releasing endorphins and other neurotransmitters.
- Meditation and mindfulness: practicing mindfulness and meditation can help increase dopamine levels by reducing stress and increasing feelings of relaxation and well-being.
- Getting enough sleep: getting adequate sleep is essential for maintaining healthy dopamine levels, as sleep deprivation can disrupt dopamine regulation.
- Eating a balanced diet: eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help support dopamine production and regulation.