Gynecomastia is defined by the Mayo Clinic as enlarged breasts in men. It is caused by an imbalance of hormones where testosterone levels may be low or estrogen levels may be high. The condition may affect men and boys of all ages and may affect one or both breasts. Although gynecomastia isn't usually considered a serious health problem, it may be embarrassing. It may be caused by a number of medical conditions, but nutrition may also contribute to the problem. As with all medical conditions, talk to a health care professional before making any changes in your diet.
Malnutrition
When the body is deprived of adequate nutrition, hormone levels may drop. A balanced diet is essential for the formation of all the body's hormones including androgenic hormones such as testosterone. Depriving the body of proteins and fats may deplete cholesterol stores, which are necessary for the formation of testosterone. Extreme malnutrition may also contribute to organ damage, including the kidneys and liver. Kidney and liver failure have been shown to contribute to the development of gynecomastia. In most cases, once the nutritional status has been restored to normal, gynecomastia often resolves itself.
Alcohol Consumption
Excessive alcohol consumption, along with the ingestion of other drugs of abuse including marijuana, heroin and methamphetamine may increase the risk of developing gynecomastia. Alcohol may cause liver damage, which increases the risk. In addition, consuming large quantities of alcohol or other drugs may increase the chance of malnutrition as the diet of alcoholics and addicts is often inadequate, leading to malnutrition-related gynecomastia.
Estrogenic Foods
Some foods are known to have estrogen-like substances known as phytoestrogens. Soy products are high in phytoestrogens as are other legumes such as chickpeas and cowpeas. Some commercially available meats, particularly red meats, may be produced from animals that have been fed artificial hormones. Excessive consumption of foods that may contain estrogen-like substances may upset the balance of hormones and act like estrogen in the body, causing the development of breast tissue. Nutritionists advise that eating a balanced diet may help avoid the development of hormonally related disorders such as gynecomastia.
Estrogenic Herbs
Many herbs contain phytoestrogens present in higher quantities than even 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 known to contain high levels of phytoestrogens include dong quai, which is 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. In some cases, the use of topical oil body care products has been associated with breast development, including tea tree oil and lavender. Some medications taken for conditions such as prostate enlargement may also stimulate breast growth. Talk to your doctor about all your medical conditions and medicine, including herbal supplements that you may be taking.
Weight Gain
The appearance of gynecomastia is common in men and boys who are obese. The physicial appearance may be simply cosmetic due to a buildup of fat throughout the body including in the breast area. When weight is lost, the appearance may remain due to the development of excessive skin that sags, even though the fat has been reduced. In addition, excessive weight may contribute to hormonal imbalances in testosterone and estrogen, allowing actual breast tissue to develop. While most cases of gynecomastia 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.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Gynecomastia Causes
- University of Minnesota: Foods that Contain Natural Estrogens
- "Prescription for Herbal Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC: 2005
