Man boobs, clinically referred to as gynecomastia, are often the cause of social anxiety and embarrassment. They are caused by having excess fat in your chest because of genetics, being overweight or an underlying disorder. Depending on the cause, man boobs may be reduced by exercise and diet, treating an underlying disorder, or they may require surgery. Most cases of gynecomastia resolve on their own without invasive treatment.
Causes
Man boobs are the result of an imbalance in the hormones androgen and estrogen. More than half of all boys develop gynecomastia during puberty, but it typically resolves after a few months. In older men, man boobs can simply be the result of age and excess weight, or another medical issue, such as the side effects of medication.
Considerations
Consult a doctor to determine the cause of your gyencomastia. If there is an underlying disorder, he can suggest treatment. If the enlargement of your breasts is due to obesity or age, or if your body accumulates fat there naturally, exercises that work your chest, along with a change in diet, can help.
Diet
A diet that includes plenty of protein for building muscle and alkaline-based foods can help reduce man boobs. Avoid junk foods that are high in fat and sugar.
Ultimately, losing weight is a matter of consuming fewer calories than you burn. To burn 1 lb. of fat, you need to burn 3,500 more calories than you eat or drink. If you are consuming on average the same amount of calories that you burning, simply dropping 500 calories a day from your diet can mean you will lose 1 lb. of fat in a week.
Exercise
A combination of cardiovascular exercise and strength training that works your chest will achieve the best results in reducing your man boobs. Exercises such as running, jogging or biking burn a lot of calories and help reduce fat. They should be performed in short 20- to 30-minute sessions four to five times a week. Strength training exercises that works your chest area, such as pushups, bench presses and chest flies, will sculpt and tone your chest. Do these exercises two to three times a week.
Other Options
If exercise and diet do not help, your doctor may recommend corrective surgery. The surgery will either be liposuction, which sucks out the extra fat, or removal of some breast gland tissue. Another procedure that may be used is hormone treatments to block the effects of estrogen, which lessens the growth of breast tissue.
Member Comments