First, let us understand what Gynecomastia is. Another term for
Gynecomastia is man boobs, which put simply are enlarged breasts in men.
These boobs form when there is an imbalance of hormones and where
testosterone levels may be low or estrogen levels may be high. The
condition can affect any male, at any age and can affect just one or
both breasts. Gynecomastia generally isn’t considered a serious health
problem, however it can be embarrassing and can damage a male’s self
confidence level.
Gynecomastia may be caused by a number of medical conditions, however
it can also be fuelled by our nutrition. As with all medical
conditions, seek medical help if you are unsure and want further
clarity.
When your body is deprived of its required nutrition, malnutrition
occurs which causes your hormone levels to drop. Having a balanced diet
is essential for the formation of all your body’s hormones. This
includes your androgenic hormones which is where testosterone is formed.
By not giving your body the proteins and fats it needs to survive it
may have a detrimental effect on your cholesterol which again helps to
form testosterone. Over indulging may also contribute to organ damage,
including the kidneys and liver. Kidney and liver failure has been
linked to the development of gynecomastia in the past, so not something
that it advised.
It won’t be the first time you have heard this, and it probably won’t
be the last, alcohol consumption and drinking excessing amounts of the
stuff can cause Gynecomastia. Drinking alongside consumption of drug
abuse (for example marijuana, heroin and methamphetamine) may increase
the risk of developing gynecomastia. Alcohol poisoning has been proven
to cause liver damage, which increases the risk further. In addition,
consuming large quantities of alcohol or other drugs may increase the
chance of malnutrition which we mentioned above. This is because the
diet of alcoholics and addicts often lacks the key vitamins and minerals
we need to have a healthy body which in turn leads to
malnutrition-related gynecomastia.
If our bodies build too much estrogen this also causes us to form
breasts. Some foods on the market are known to have estrogen-like
substances within them; these are referred to as phytoestrogens. Soy
products generally are high in phytoestrogens as are other pulses such
as chickpeas and cowpeas. You will also find that some readily available
meats, particularly red meats, may be produced from animals that have
been fed artificial hormones; needless to say this can include extra
estrogen.
Excessive consumption of foods that may contain estrogen-like
substances may upset the balance of hormones in your body and may
development of breast tissue. It is advised that eating a balanced diet
may help avoid the development of hormonally related disorders which can
cause man boobs to develop.
Believe it or not, many herbal remedies contain phytoestrogens. Some
of these quantities are higher than they are in estrogenic foods! Herbs
taken for conditions such as prostate conditions, atherosclerosis and
high blood pressure may contain phytoestrogens that may cause breast
development. Herbal supplements commonly known to contain high levels of
phytoestrogens include dong quai, which is usually used for
atherosclerosis and high blood pressure; saw palmetto, which is used for
prostate enlargement; and ginseng, which is given as a tonic and sexual
aid.
Strangely, the use of oil body care products can also be associated
with breast development; such oils might include tea tree oil and
lavender. Various medications that may be taken for conditions such as
prostate enlargement can also stimulate breast growth so bare this in
mind if you take them. Talk to your health practitioner about all your
medical conditions and medicines, including herbal supplements that you
may be taking and they should be able to give you some good advice if
you are unsure.
Gynecomastia or man boobs are common in men and boys who are obese.
The larger appearance may be simply cosmetic due to the build-up of fat
throughout the body including the breast area. When we lose weight, the
breasts may stay put due to the development of excessive skin that sags,
even though you have lost weight and the fat has been reduced. In
addition, having excessive weight in your body may contribute to
hormonal imbalances in testosterone and estrogen levels which in time
allows actual breast tissue to develop. While many cases of gynecomastia
have been known to resolve themselves over time, additional medical
procedures may be needed to reduce the excessive skin that has developed
or to remove actual breast tissue if it has formed over time.
Alternatively there are products available on the market that target this insecurity in men, one you might want to look at is Gynexin which is a natural supplement that targets the fat cells found in male breasts and works at reducing them.
