MAN BOOBS: Embarrassing and unpleasant boobs.

Every man's fitness dream is to have a strong body, a chiselled musculature with admirable muscle contour. A sturdy chest coupled with an athletic abdomen is considered the hallmark of masculinity. Men with well-defined chest muscles and deeply peeled abdominal muscles are revered by other men and idolized by women.

However, all turns into an empty dream once the man notices that he has a fatty chest with abnormally big breast tissues coupled with an annoying potbelly.

The breast is the tissue overlying the chest (pectoral) muscles. A man's breasts are also made of specialized tissue that produces milk called glandular tissue even though they are made inactive by testosterone hormone. Men's breast has fatty tissue. The amount of fat determines the size of the breast.

The dark area of skin surrounding the nipple is called the areola. Connective tissue and ligaments provide support to the breast and give it its shape. Nerves provide sensation to the breast. The breast also contains blood vessels, lymph vessels, and lymph nodes.

Man boobs are defined as enlarged breasts in men. There are two categories of man boobs:

1. Gynecomastia.

2. Pseudo-gynecomastia,

Gynecomastia is the excessive growth of breast tissue in men and is generally caused by high levels of the female hormone known as estrogen.

High level of oestrogen in men can be caused by

• Mental depression

• Obesity

• Metabolic syndromes like Diabetes Mellitus

• Alcoholism

• Liver diseases

Pseudo-gynecomastia is characterized by the excessive build-up of fat around and behind the nipples or areola. Obesity leads to a fatty chest since the chest alongside the abdomen is the most vulnerable area for fat deposit. Consequently, obesity produces an enzyme called aromatase that converts testosterone to estrogen in a biochemical process known as aromatization. Aromatization can lead to male breast cancer.

Aromatase is an enzyme found in estrogen releasing cells in the ovaries, brain, adrenal glands, testicles and fat tissue.  Elevated levels of aromatase convert more testosterone and progesterone into estrogen.

Causes of man boobs

The causes of man boobs are merged around the four factors described below

1. High estrogen levels.

2. low testosterone hormone.

3. Fatty chest.

4. Low metabolism.

These four factors work like a mechanical gear system turning each other like a clockwork leading to an endless cycle of interdependence.

High estrogen levels signal the body to develop breast tissue, retain more fats in the chest, lower the production of testosterone hormone and consequently reduce metabolism. Slow metabolism leads to further retention of fats in the chest. A fatty chest acts as a secondary gland in the production of estrogen by secreting the enzyme aromatase that converts testosterone to estrogen which then leads to higher oestrogen levels.

Consequences of man boobs

Even though man boobs may appear harmless but the consequences are silent. Men suffering manboobs may not consider seeking help because, generally, men have poor health-seeking attitudes.

The consequences of manboobs could range from low self-esteem to debilitating hormonal dysfunction. Here are some of the consequences

1. Erectile dysfunction.

2. Mental depression.

3. Low testosterone.

4. Slow metabolism and metabolic dysfunction.

Beating Man boobs

1. Proper nutrition

Eating right is the epitome of fat loss. Men looking to cure man boobs must first eliminate foods that promote aromatization of testosterone to oestrogen. These include sugar, sugary drinks and simple carbohydrates. Instead, they should eat foods that inhibit oestrogen dominance.

These foods are anti-oestrogen eg

• Cruciferous vegetables eg cabbage, spinach, broccoli, pepper and cauliflower.

• Meat

• Complex vegetables

• Healthy fats eg Coconut oil and avocados

2. Physical workout

Workouts will activate muscle metabolism which in turn will promote the elevation of testosterone hormone.

Compound workouts are recommended because they involve several muscles especially the long muscles.

Example of compound workouts are:

• Bench press

• Deadlifts

• Rows

• Pullups

• Pushups

• Squats

3. Medication and surgery

Unlike Pseudo-gynaecomastia, true Gynecomastia can be completely cured through medication or cosmetic surgery. This is because gynecomastia may be due to tumours or complex metabolic and genetic syndromes.

Unless one opts for surgery which may lead to other anatomical complications, the whole journey of curing manboobs through proper diet and physical workouts will take time. It needs patience, persistence and commitment. This is the best approach with no complications.

If you are struggling to beat man boobs - and they are giving you an unpleasant feeling- feel free to reach out to me. Send me a private message on Twitter or email to eric@amerix.co.ke