EFFECT OF A VEGETARIAN DIET AND DEXAMETHASONE ON PLASMA PROLACTIN, TESTOSTERONE AND DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE IN MEN AND WOMEN

This study reports the effect of a vegetarian diet and dexamethasone administration on the hormone status of healthy Caucasian men and premenopausal women. A lower nocturnal release of prolactin and testosterone occurred in men fed a vegetarian diet, while in women, dexamethasone administration decreased the nocturnal release of prolactin and caused a greater decrease of plasma dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). These results show that diet modification can induce hormonal changes. If similar changes occur in patients with breast and/or prostatic cancer, diet modification may be of benefit in these patients with tumors known to be hormonally dependent. © 1979 Elsevier/North-Holland Scientific Publishers Ltd., All rights reserved.