What Is Gynecomastia (Enlarged Male Breasts)?
Gynecomastia is a condition commonly referred to as “man breasts”.This breasts problem generally occurs by an enlargement of gland tissues of the male breast.
During infancy, puberty, and in middle-aged to older men, gynecomastia can be common. Gynecomastia is distinguished from pseudogynecomastia or lipomastia, that generally refers to the presence of few fat deposits in the breast area of obese men.
True gynecomastia results from growth of the glandular, or breast tissue, which is present in very small amounts in men.
Gynecomastia Has Physiological Causes They Are
- Long-term liver disease – Liver disease over long periods of time may increase female hormone production that may lead to Gynecomastia.
- Kidney failure and need for dialysis
- Lack of testosterone or male hormones
- Exposure to Estrogen of female hormones
- Intake of anabolic steroids
- Alcohol, Heroin, Methadone or Marijuana use
- Radiation therapy and cancer chemotherapy especially for testicular and prostate cancer
- Genetic disorders
- Thyroid disorders – especially an overactive thyroid.
- Tumors – especially those that secrete female hormones estrogen. Tumors of testes, adrenal glands or pituitary gland can also lead to imbalance of male and female hormones.
Unknown – Sometimes the cause of Gynecomastia may be unknown.
Symptoms Of Gynecomastia
- Tenderness of the breasts
- Swelling in the breasts
- Pain in the breasts
- Discharge from both the nipples or from one nipple.
Below are few foods that help reduce Gynecomastia
Turmeric
Turmeric is one of the well-known natural home remedy to treat gynecomastia. This natural medicine can increase the testosterone hormone levels in the body of males.
When the level of testosterone becomes high, large breasts in men naturally reduces in size. Plus, turmeric also promotes liver health and helps burn fat.
- Add 1 or 2 teaspoons of turmeric to a cup of warm water and heat it for 10 minutes. Drink it 2 or 3 times a day and especially before going to bed. Repeat this daily and within a few weeks you will notice the changes.
- You can also take turmeric supplements under the guidance of a doctor.
Note: If problem is severe, consult your doctor before taking turmeric natural home remedy.
Cold Compress
Generally enlarged breast in men also causes the breasts to become tender and even painful at times.
For tender breasts, you can apply cold compresses. The cold temperature will cause the tissues to contract. This in turn will generally reduce swelling and pain.
- Wrap a few ice cubes in a thin towel or thin cloth.
- Put this cold compress on each of the breasts for 1 minute only.
- Follow this treatment as needed.
Note: Do not apply ice cubes directly on the skin as it can cause frostbite.
Milk Thistle
If your breast enlargement is due to liver disease, milk thistle is a good treatment. The active constituent of this silymarin in milk thistle is known to improve liver functioning.
- Add 1 tablespoon of crushed milk thistle seeds to 3 cups of water. Heat until boiling, remove from heat and steep for 20 minutes. Strain and add a little honey. Daily drink this tea 2 times for a few weeks.
- You can also take this herb in supplement form. For proper dosage, consult your doctor.
Red Clover
The consumption of red clover also reduces the estrogen level in the body, which ultimately reduces the size of the breasts. It generally contains a flavonoid called genistein which reduces the estrogen level in the body.
You can consume this ayurvedic herb regularly in the form of tea to reduce the size of your breasts.
Zinc-Based Food
The foods, which are loaded with zinc, can successfully treat the enlarged breast size in men as zinc increases the level of testosterone in the body.
And the men who are suffering from Gynecomastia can consume these below foods that are loaded with to get rid of the condition.
Few of the foods that are rich in zinc are oysters, lamb, lobster, salmon, pork, wheat germ, spinach, pumpkin and squash seeds, flax seeds, nuts, cocoa, kidney beans, watermelon seeds, garlic, mushrooms, chickpeas, brown rice, peas, sesame seeds, cashew nuts, etc.
Extract Of White Button Mushroom
There’s an enzyme called aromatase that generally converts the free testosterone into estrogen. This enzyme is the worst nightmare for men who are suffering from gynecomastia.
Particular factors have a positive impact on aromatase levels such as, insulin resistance, alcohol and obesity. Thanks to nature for giving white button mushrooms because that have the ability to suppress the activity and synthesis of this enzyme.
- Consume white button mushrooms extract that helps successfully to lower the Gynecomastia levels of estrogen and suppressed the activity of aromatase enzyme
Supplements that helps reduce enlarged breasts in male
Mucuna Pruriens
It is a herb used in Ayurveda, the Indian healing system. Even when many people do not believe in the ancient herbal systems, nevertheless some herbs from Ayurveda have been scientifically proven beneficial for various conditions.
- Mucuna is used in many supplements. Mucuna supplement consists of L-Dopa that converts into a hormone/neurotransmitter called dopamine, within the body.
- It has the ability to raise the testosterone and dopamine levels and it also helps in lowering the levels of prolactin. Therefore, the use of gynecomastia can help in naturally fixing men boobs.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is rich in antioxidant constituents. Generally PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) are prone to being oxidized through the mechanism called lipid peroxidation. A diet that is high in PUFAs causes Gynecomastia problems.
Vitamin E suppresses the oxidization of PUFAs up to a great extent. It also blocks the aromatase enzyme by acting as estrogen receptor antagonist. It is also known that vitamin E naturally reduces the estrogen levels.
So, the above supplement is very helpful in naturally fighting off gynecomastia or man boobs.
Fish Oil
Omega 3 fatty acids increase the production of testosterone thereby helping to maintain the hormonal balance. Fish oil is very rich in omega 3 fatty acids and has huge antioxidant properties which remove the harmful free radicals from the body and detoxify it.
Fish oil is also high in other nutrients that keep the body fit and strong. Take one teaspoon of fish oil twice daily or you can take two capsules of fish oil at night before going to bed. Also include fish in your daily diet. Fish oil supplements plays an important role in naturally fighting off with gynecomastia or men boobs.
There are some exercises that help tighten the chest muscles. These below exercises can help alone to get rid of male breasts naturally.
Interval Training
Interval training generally involves short, intense exercise that is alternated with longer, less intense exercise. An example of interval training would include running intensely for 30 seconds, followed by two to three minutes of less intense jogging or walking.
This type of training keeps your body burning more calories, even after you are finished working out, and it elevates your metabolism to get rid of gynecomastia.
Perform interval training exercises daily by that you can burn more fat and calories and reduce male breasts.
Push-Ups
Push-ups works to tighten your upper chest muscles and also helps reduce male breasts. In addition, this exercise gets your blood moving and incorporates a good cardio workout.
- Kneel on the floor with your hands positioned a little wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Extend your legs behind you so your body forms a straight line and is parallel with the floor.
- Lower yourself towards the floor until your chest touches the floor, keeping your back straight.
- Pause at the bottom, then push up through your chest, returning to the starting position. Once you become perfect, proficient and also strong enough, have a spotter place a 10-lb weighted plate between your shoulder blades so you are working against some resistance.
Dumbbell Incline Press
The dumbbell press performed on an incline works your upper chest in order to create a lifting effect on your chest fat. This will make your breast appear more elevated and less saggy and help reduce gynecomastia.
- Hold a pair of dumbbells in your hands and lie on your back on an incline bench resting at a 45-degree angle and place your feet firmly on the floor.
- Be careful not to arch your back while doing this exercise. Hold the dumbbells so your palms are facing forward and press them together to the ceiling, with your elbows fully extended.
- Inhale and slowly lower the dumbbells to a level even with your upper chest but wider than your armpits. Exhale and press the dumbbells back up towards the ceiling.
Seated Row
This exercise works for your pectoral muscles to develop a stronger chest and eliminate man breasts. The rowing action tones your chest so the muscles don’t look saggy.
- Sit on a seated rowing machine with your knees slightly bent. Grasp the handles so your palms face each other, pull your shoulders back and tighten your spine.
- Exhale and pull the handles toward your chest without leaning backwards. Inhale and slowly release your elbows back to the starting position.
Chest Press
Chest presses generally targets the middle of the chest and they are done with a chest press machine, dumbbells or a barbell.
- When using a barbell, it is called a bench press. The concept with these exercises is all the same.
- To use the machine, sit on the seat with your back against the backrest and hands on the handles.
- Push straight forward until your arms are just short of locking out and bring the handles back.
- To do bench presses, lie on your back on a flat bench surface, hold a barbell above you with a wide grip and lower it to your chest. Steadily push it back up and repeat.
- To do chest presses, lie on the bench while holding dumbbells above you with your palms facing your knees. Slowly lower the weights to your sides by bending your elbows and push them back up.
Pullovers
Pullovers work the middle to upper chest area with the aid of a barbell and flat bench.
- While lying on your back, hold the bar above your chest with your hands your shoulder-width apart and a slight bend in your elbows.
- Keeping your arms in this bent position, lower the bar behind your head and then back to the starting point in a steady, arcing motion.
Incline And Decline Push-ups
Incline and decline push-ups are body resistance exercises. Both of them require an elevated object, such as a couch, chair, bed, bench or stability ball.
To do decline push-ups for your upper chest, lie on your stomach with your feet elevated on the platform and hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. In a steady position, push yourself up until your arms are fully extended, lift your hips to form a straight back and tighten your core.
While maintaining this body alignment, lower yourself up and also down in a smooth motion. Inhale on the way down and exhale on the way up.
- Perform all the incline push-ups by placing your hands on the platform and feet on the floor. When doing these, follow the same procedure–keep your back straight, core tight and breathe properly. This exercise places the most emphasis on your lower chest.
Dips
Dips work the chest and triceps with the aid of parallel dip bars. After placing your feet on the lower supports and hands on the bars, carefully lift one foot at a time and hold yourself in the air with your arms fully extended.
Bend your knees and cross your lower legs behind you as you lean forward. Slowly lower and lift your body by bending your elbows. When you lower yourself down, maintain a forward lean.
Regularly eating healthy and exercising may also reduce the signs of gynecomastia. Building torso muscles can reduce the measurement of the breast tissue. Diet is also significant. You need to eat meals lower in fat.
Decreasing your total body fat content will also decrease the fat in your breast tissue, and thus reduce the appearance of gynecomastia. By following above remedies you can reduce male breast size naturally.