How to Avoid Growing Man Boobs

How to Avoid Growing Man Boobs

By Brian Klepacki, MS, CSCS, CISSN, FMS
From optimaxperformance.com

Aug 11,2015

Clearwater, Florida




We’ve all seen them. Man Boobs. Maybe you have them but I can be sure you don’t want them. Interestingly enough this is medically diagnosed condition known as gynecomastia.
Gynecomastia is triggered by a decrease in the amount of the hormone testosterone compared with estrogen. The prevalence of gynecomastia peaks between the ages of 50 and 80. At least 1 in 4 men in this age group are affected.

When we hear the word estrogen we quickly think of Lifetime, you know, that estrogen laden TV channel where it’s always the man’s fault… But don’t be so quick to judge this hormone for all of your misery because the truth is, estrogen is found in every man and in some cases higher levels than what is deemed normal.

Gynecomastia (a.k.a. man boobs) is caused when estrogen levels are out of balance with testosterone levels. This imbalance simply leads to the growth of breast tissue in men over time. Now this condition isn’t just an issue with aging men and it’s not always externally influenced.

This condition occurs is more than half of male infants due to the effects of their mother’s estrogen level. Generally, the newborn’s swollen breast tissue goes away with two to three weeks after birth. Swollen breast tissue can also occur in males experiencing puberty.
This is relatively common since the body is being pushed through a vortex of hormonal changes. This side effect from puberty will naturally go away within six month to two years.
However for most men, gynecomastia is often a preventable condition. Now we should know by now that men cannot escape estrogen because it is naturally occurring in the body but we can limit estrogen exposure by avoiding these 5 things throughout our day.

1) Beer

Pounding a six-pack of beer every night is bad enough for weight gain but can also lead to the growth of man boobs. Phytoestrogens (compounds that mimic true estrogen in the body) are present in the hops used to make beer, and are also found in other plants involved in the making of alcoholic beverages.

Alcohol is toxic. There’s no other word that can describe alcohol. It is pure toxic and the list of harmful effects on the body is lengthy. Alcohol negatively affects the liver in multiple ways.

Gynecomastia has been associated with liver disease (cirrhosis). The liver is largely responsible for metabolizing hormones, and if there is any disruption in the proper function of it, the liver will convert many androgens into estrogens, which will result in the growth of breast tissue.

2) Cigarettes
Just like alcohol, there is nothing good that comes from cigarette smoking… unless you are in the family line of Philip Morris. If yellow teeth, nasty breath, ugly skin, and a raspy voice aren’t good enough reasons to quit smoking then maybe this will be the kicker.

Lung cancer is among the most common reasons for cancer-related breast growth- and is also, of course, one of the most preventable forms of cancer. Cancers can produce hormones for their own benefit and growth, which can result in hormone imbalances and in turn accelerate the growth of breast tissue.

3) Getting High

I don’t care if you are in favor of legalizing weed in your state. This isn’t a right-side/left-side debate. This is the truth. Marijuana is not acceptable… at least as far as your chest is concerned. Abusing weed (as well as other drugs like heroine, amphetamines, and methadone) is plausible to increasing the amount of breast tissue in men.

Given that gynecomastia is a result from a hormone imbalance, some studies suggest that marijuana depresses testosterone levels for up to 24 hours which ultimately affects the estrogen:testosterone balance.

Unfortunately the exact mechanism isn’t yet known on how this works but until that time comes, stop smoking weed, and protect your testosterone (and your brain) just in case research does prove this to be true.

4) Not Eating Enough

This might sound like a no-brainer but make sure you eat enough throughout your day. Habitually depriving yourself of adequate nutrition will cause your testosterone levels to drop and the unfortunate part is that your estrogen levels stay the same.

Now while some men will develop man boobs during this time of food skimping, some men won’t grow boobs until their nutrition levels and caloric intake returns back to normal. This phenomenon was first noted in 1945 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

This epidemic was commonly referred to as “refeeding gynecomastia” and was seen when war prisoners (men) during World War II were liberated. These men grew breast tissue within a few weeks of resuming a normal, healthy diet.

Yes this is an extreme situation that might not ever be replicated again; you can take the same mechanisms and apply them today with crazy work schedules, stress, or sickness. Significant weight loss and malnutrition are often accompanied by hyopgonadism 
(decreased testosterone production). It is easy to skimp on eating properly so do yourself a favor and never miss a meal fully loaded with nutrients (and of course protein).

5) Herbal Products

Before you go lathering up with your wife’s shampoo, read its label. A recent study from the New England Journal of Medicine found that when applied topically, tea tree oil and lavender oil can cause gynecomastia. In pure form, these oils mimic estrogen activity and slow the effects of androgen hormones in the body.

So there you have it men. Make sure to avoid these 5 things during your daily routine and you’ll be in better control of your chest.

Brian Klepacki, MS, CSCS, CISSN, FMS
http://themenshealthdaily.com/man-boobs