Zinc for Prolactin Regulation
Zinc has a plausible role in prolactin regulation but almost no clinical trial support.
Overview
Verdict
How It Works
Dosing & Protocol
Typical dose
- Recommended dose
- 15-30mg/day
- Expected timeframe
- 8-12 weeks
Protocol
- form
- Zinc gluconate, sulfate or picolinate with food
- duration
- Not applicable - no trial has measured prolactin response to zinc supplementation in humans with normal zinc status
- co factor
- Evidence is insufficient. Zinc is involved in dopaminergic neurotransmission, and dopamine is the physiological inhibitor of pituitary prolactin release, which gives the claim a superficial mechanism. Some animal work and small observational reports link zinc status to prolactin, and there are case reports of zinc improving hyperprolactinaemia in dialysis patients with zinc deficiency. No randomised trial has shown that zinc supplementation reduces prolactin in people with normal zinc status, and the effect size in the few available human observations is unclear.
- titration
- Not applicable. The tolerable upper intake level is 40 mg/day and should not be exceeded
- starting dose
- Not established. Requirements are 8 mg/day for women and 11 mg/day for men
Evidence
What the studies say
Zinc status and prolactin secretion in men: a controlled supplementation study
Netter A, Hartoma R, Nahoul K
Zinc supplementation raised testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in men with low baseline testosterone
Safety
Caveats
Not a treatment for elevated prolactin. Investigate the cause instead.
Less likely to help if
Medical Disclaimer
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Individual results may vary. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.