Vitamins & Minerals for the Pituitary Gland

The "master gland" of the body, your pituitary gland -- located at the base of your brain -- secretes hormones that control the function of other glands throughout your body. It controls a range of physiological processes, including pubertal development and reproductive health, muscle growth and cellular metabolism. Your pituitary gland relies on a range of nutrients to function, and a diet rich in vitamins and minerals supports pituitary health.

Vitamin D

Maintaining healthy vitamin D promotes pituitary function, while low vitamin D levels negatively affect your pituitary gland. One study, published in the "European Journal of Endocrinology" in 2012, found that men with vitamin D deficiency face a higher rate of hypogonadism -- a condition characterized by abnormal testes function, which is associated with the pituitary dysfunction. An animal study, from the August 2012 issue of "Biology of Reproduction," found that low vitamin D levels interfere with normal puberty in female mice, and disrupt the function of the pituitary gland and ovaries. You need 600 international units of vitamin D each day.

Vitamin E

Vitamin D and Hormonal Imbalances

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The vitamin E from your diet supports the function of your pituitary gland by protecting it from damage. As an antioxidant, vitamin E is tasked with preventing oxidative damage -- damage that occurs at a cellular levels and prevents proper cell function. One study, published in the "Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition" in 2009, reports that vitamin E helps combat oxidative damage to your pituitary gland, helping delay damage to the gland that naturally occurs with aging. An additional study, from the August 2007 issue of "Endocrine," notes that vitamin E also shields your pituitary from alcohol-induced damage. Consume at least 15 milligrams of vitamin E each day to maintain healthy vitamin E levels.

Vitamin A and Iodine

The vitamin A and iodine both play a role in pituitary function. One of the major roles of the pituitary is control over your thyroid gland, a hormone gland located in your throat. Your pituitary releases the hormone thyroid stimulating hormone, or TSH, to stimulate thyroid activity, which boosts your metabolism. Vitamin A affects your pituitary's ability to control thyroid gland activity, notes a study published in the "International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research" in 2007. Iodine also helps your thyroid gland respond properly to signals sent from the pituitary gland. Low levels of vitamin A and iodine both negatively affect communication between your pituitary and thyroid glands, disrupting normal pituitary function, explains the 2007 study. You need a small amount of vitamin A each day -- 3,000 international units for men and 2,333 IU for women -- and 1.1 milligrams of iodine daily.

Preventing Nutrient Deficiencies

Low Iodine Levels & Panic Attacks

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Follow a balanced and healthful diet, and get moderate sun exposure to prevent nutritional deficiencies that can affect your pituitary. Sun exposure allows specialized skin cells, called melanocytes, to synthesize vitamin D for use in your body. Eggs, dairy products, fortified cereals and fortified orange juice also boost your vitamin D intake. Healthful fatty foods, such as almonds, hazelnuts and avocados, increase your vitamin E intake, and cooking oils -- such as olive and canola oils -- also contain vitamin E. Boost your vitamin A intake by eating dark leafy greens and orange vegetables -- spinach, pumpkin, carrots and sweet potatoes serve as especially rich sources. Finally, boost your iodine intake by incorporating seaweed into your diet, or by eating turkey, milk, baked potatoes and shellfish.