The foods that we consume affect us in so many ways. Foods with high calories, fats and carbohydrates increase weight. Sugar-rich foods cause a rush of energy before an inevitable crash. Protein-rich foods while engaging in regular resistance training results in muscle gain. And similarly, certain foods are the cause of enlarged male breasts.
What is gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is a benign medical problem in which the male breast tissues become swollen and appear like female breasts. Many nicknames have been given to this disorder. The term man-boobs are one of them. Though individuals with gynecomastia do not experience any pain or severe symptoms, the swollen breast tissue can cause intense embarrassment and shame.
Causes of enlarged male breasts
The primary cause of gynecomastia is a hormonal imbalance. Every individual on this planet has a mixture of male and female hormones in their bodies. During teenage years, males develop body hair, deep voice, and muscle mass. A surge in the male hormone testosterone causes these changes in men.
Males with gynecomastia see a surge of estrogen that overtakes testosterone, which causes breast development in them. On the other hand, females develop high pitch voices, a relative lack of body hair, rounded hips, a decreased ability to generate muscle mass at a fast rate, breasts, a menstrual cycle, and increased body fat composition. A surge in the female hormone estrogen causes these changes in females.
Food is not the only cause of gynecomastia. Other factors that contribute to the worsening of gynecomastia symptoms are
- Obesity
- Certain medicines
- Medical conditions like liver disease
- Steroid abuse
- Use of illicit drugs like marijuana
For many men, adopting healthy habits and addressing the medical condition responsible for gynecomastia can cause the breast tissue to resolve on its own. Development of gynecomastia in boys during puberty can also resolve within a year or two. The condition can persist for other teen boys and adults, and surgery is the only method that can resolve the issue permanently.
The food you eat may be the cause of women-like breasts if you do not have obesity or any underlying medical condition and do not engage in the behaviours mentioned earlier.
How can foods cause gynecomastia?
Foods that cause the development of male breasts tend to increase estrogen production in the body, and many of these foods suppress the production of testosterone. So, now you understand how this causes havoc on the body, which includes the development of breasts in males.
Moreover, when men eat foods rich in estrogen, the female hormone resides in the chest area while causing the formation of fat and the glandular tissue to expand. Some men experience mild symptoms of gynecomastia, such as slight swelling and puffy nipples. Others develop severe forms of this medical condition, which causes swelling that expands beyond the sides of the chest and excess tissue. There are four grades of gynecomastia with mild to severe symptoms. Also, the development of these gynecomastia grades depends on the individual’s genetics and lifestyle, including the foods they eat.
Can men reduce the estrogen level in their bodies?
Some studies suggest that specific foods may increase or decrease estrogen levels. However, it is still unclear whether these foods can address the health issues of excess estrogen. But it is the fact that certain foods have phytoestrogens in their composition which can mimic the effects of estrogen and are the cause of enlarged male breasts. The same is the case with testosterone in the diet. Therefore, diet can affect the hormonal balance, whether or not these changes can affect the overall physical dynamics of the body in this scenario.
What is a suitable anti-estrogen diet for men?
Hormones are chemical messengers in the human body. They are essential for maintaining mood, health, and fertility, among other things. And as mentioned above, hormones like estrogen and testosterone are present naturally in the bodies of both males and females, and some foods can influence the level of these hormones.
Foods that increase the estrogen level and cause enlarged breasts in men
Foods that contain estrogen-like compounds can lead to weight gain, generating fat buildup in glandular tissues, which are the cause of enlarged male breasts. Also, knowing the foods that cause enlarged male breasts can help you avoid them.
Processed foods
Eating processed food can result in the growth of fat in the breasts. This happens because processed foods contain extra sodium, sugar, calories and preservatives.
Beetroot
Beetroot contains high levels of estrogen, which can reduce testosterone levels. So, try to avoid beetroot to balance your hormonal levels.
Frozen foods
Frozen foods can cause a significant hormonal imbalance because they contain saturated fats and preservatives. Include fresh, whole foods in your diet to reduce male breast growth.
Soy products
Soy is phytoestrogen-rich food, an estrogen-like compound in plants that causes enlarged male breasts. While soybeans and soy products are essential sources of nutrients for some people, men who want to reduce the symptoms of gynecomastia should avoid them.
Fried foods
The oil used in frying adds more calories to foods, accumulating more fats in your breasts and causing gynecomastia.
So, foods rich in phytoestrogen can increase the level of estrogen in the body and trigger the already present symptoms and signs of gynecomastia in men. That is why healthcare providers advise individuals to stay away from such foods and stick to an estrogen-free diet to reduce the symptoms of gynecomastia.
Furthermore, men with gynecomastia must consult with a dietician to understand the food items they should add to their diet. A diet plan can go a long way in helping individuals heal gynecomastia without cosmetic surgery or other medical intervention.
Foods that reduce the symptoms of gynecomastia
There are some foods that you should consider including in your diet if you have gynecomastia, such as
Cruciferous vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables are rich in vitamins C, E, and K, folate, and indole-3-carbinol. These vegetables have anti-estrogen properties and are suitable for men struggling to reduce estrogen.
Citrous fruits
Vitamin C, quercetin, and hesperidin present in citrus fruits help regulate the estrogen levels in the body.
Mushrooms
Some types of mushrooms reduce estrogen levels by blocking the enzyme aromatase. These enzymes convert testosterone to estrogen. Blocking the production of aromatase can decrease estrogen levels in the body. Oyster mushrooms especially exhibit this property.
Turmeric
The compound curcumin that is present in turmeric reduces estrogen levels and increases testosterone production.
Gynecomastia treatment
Apart from the food, there are cosmetic procedures that help get rid of gynecomastia. These procedures include surgical and non-surgical treatments that can give individuals with gynecomastia the flat chest they have always dreamed of.
Medicines
Medications that suppress the production of estrogen help individuals with mild to moderate gynecomastia. These medicines work as aromatase blockers that reduce the estrogen levels in the body, which is the leading cause of enlarged male breasts.
Moreover, hormone therapy is another treatment for gynecomastia. It may take six months for the results to show.
Liposuction
Liposuction is a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Surgeons perform liposuction surgery in men with less breast tissue and more fat or adipose tissue. In this procedure, the surgeons insert a small tube through a tiny cut and remove that fat by suction. Also, reduction in the size of breasts is visible after removing the excess fat. The results of this surgical procedure may take three months to show.
Gynecomastia surgery
Surgical treatment is the permanent solution to fix severe cases of gynecomastia. In this treatment, the surgeons remove the excess breast tissue and reposition the nipples. Moreover, the result of this treatment is the flat chest that the patients always desire. You can get rid of enlarged male breasts with gynecomastia surgery and enjoy the effects of the almost immediate.
Gynecomastia Treatment in Pakistan
Cosmeticoplasty is the best place for gynecomastia treatment in Pakistan. We have the top gynecomastia surgeon like Dr Mustehsan Bashir who helps guide the patients in every step of the treatment and gives the best care possible. At Cosmeticoplasty, we offer affordable treatment of gynecomastia surgery in Lahore. So, schedule a meeting with the best gynecomastia surgeon in Lahore and improve your quality of life with gynecomastia surgery.
