Gynecomastia, or breast enlargement in males, is very common. It is caused by an hormonal imbalance and can be affected by foods. As many as 70 percent of young males experience gynecomastia, and 40 percent of elderly men experience breast enlargement, reports New Medical Information and Health Information. The psychological effects of gynecomastia can be embarrassing or depressing. Most cases of breast enlargement are temporary and there are foods that may help reduce gynecomastia. These foods haven't been clinically proven to reduce breast enlargement, and you should always consult your doctor before making treatment choices and dietary changes.
Causes of Gynecomastia
Hormonal imbalances involving estrogen and testosterone cause gynecomastia. These hormonal imbalances occur naturally in infants, during puberty and again after the age of 50.
Some medications can cause also gynecomastia, such as AIDS medications, anti-anxiety drugs and antidepressants, anabolic steroids, chemotherapy, heart medications, medicines used to treat prostate cancer or prostate enlargement, and ulcer medications.
Alcohol and illicit drugs can cause breast enlargement in men, as can several health conditions, including hyperthyroidism, hypogonadism, kidney or liver failure, malnutrition, being overweight and tumors. Lavender and tea tree oil can also cause gynecomastia.
Foods That Disrupt Hormonal Balance
Alcohol affects the liver's ability to get rid of excess estrogen. Hops in beer and yucca also have phytoestrogens, compounds that mimic true estrogen in the body, which contributes to gynecomastia.
Milk is a source of estrogen in the diet and can constitute as much as 80 percent of your dietary intake of estrogen, reports Estrogen Dominance Guide. Cows give milk while they are pregnant and nursing, so their estrogen levels are higher. Dairy livestock are also regularly given doses of hormones to increase their growth and milk production. That's why conventionally raised meats and dairy can contribute to gynecomastia.
Eating to Promote Hormonal Balance
Eating foods high in fiber can help your body excrete excess estrogen, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower can break down estrogen into a form that's easily excreted, reports Estrogen Dominance Guide.
Increasing foods that contain calcium and zinc can help combat gynecomastia. Calcium regulates estrogen uptake, and zinc can increase testosterone levels, reports the Baseline of Health Foundation. Oysters and red meat have high levels of zinc, but be sure to buy organic meat products. Beans are another food that can increase testosterone levels.
Always check in with your doctor before making dietary changes or beginning supplements. Natural treatments can interact with preexisting conditions and other medications.
Turmeric
Cooking foods with turmeric, also known as curcumin, can help relieve gynecomastia, reports the PSA-Rising website. Turmeric is the focus of much research today, because of its anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In January 2007, Japanese scientists found preliminary evidence that curcumin may reduce hormone sensitivity to a gene involved in prostate cancer.
Not enough research has been completed to determine possible adverse effects and interaction turmeric may produce. Nor is there scientific evidence to support the ingestion of turmeric for gynecomastia. Always check in with your doctor before adding an herbal supplement or food to your diet.
References
- Estrogen Dominance Guide; Estrogen Dominance Guide: Five Natural Ways to Lower Your Estrogen Levels; September 2009
- MayoClinic.com; Gynecomastia (Enlarged Breasts in Men); December 2010
- Gynecomastia Guru: Do You Want to Know The Food's That Actually Cause Man Boobs So You Can Be Sure To Avoid Them?
- Dr. Hoffman.com: Estrogen Dominance Syndrome; Ronald Hoffman, M.D
- New Medical Information and Health Information (NMIHI); Gynecomastia:Breast Hypertrophy, Hypertrophy of Breast; August 2011
- Baseline of Health Foundation: Gynecomastia, Male Breast Enlargement ; Jon Barron, MD; December 2006
