Gynecomastia is a common condition, which causes men to develop unwanted breast tissue. This endocrine disorder is caused by a hormonal imbalance and frequently occurs during puberty. In most cases, the symptoms naturally resolve themselves within a year or two. However, Gynecomastia can develop at any age and when it occurs later in life, it often does not dissipate without treatment. Understandably, this can have a devastating impact on one’s self-esteem.
Luckily there are treatment options; in addition to exercise, which can reduce the appearance of enlarged male breasts, and surgery, which can eliminate them, there are also a number of natural remedies that you may wish to try. Since Gynecomastia is a result of an increased presence of estrogen and reduced levels of testosterone, the following herbs can be used to help balance your hormones.
Phytoestrogens such as linseed and soy are effective at reducing your body’s estrogen levels, thereby minimizing the effects of Gynecomastia. Making small changes to your diet such as substituting dairy milk for soymilk and adding flax seed oil not only works to cut down your estrogen intake, it also helps reduce your cholesterol levels and may lead to weight loss, which can aid in reducing the appearance of breast tissue.
Red clover contains genistein, which has a strong estrogen-reducing effect. However, it has a few side effects so be sure to discuss it with your doctor prior to taking this supplement.
Although this herb does not contain the hormone testosterone, it has proven to be effective in raising the luteinizing hormone, which is released by your pituitary gland. As a result, it can encourage your gonads to increase their testosterone production.
This popular spice may already be a part of your diet. In addition to enhancing the flavour of food, it is also believed to increase testosterone levels in males.
This herb, which comes from the mushroom family, is touted for its ability to stimulate the creation of testosterone. It is also an effective treatment for asthma; since many common asthma medications actually cause the development of male breasts, Cordyceps is an excellent alternative.
As men age, their testosterone levels naturally decrease, which is why many men develop enlarged breasts in their 50’s and 60’s. Passionflower is one of the most effective testosterone-boosting supplements, which has an added benefit of improving the male libido.
In addition to decreasing estrogen or increasing testosterone production, Gynecomastia can be minimized by enhancing chest muscles. Sarsaparilla is an herb containing natural plant sterols which when taken in combination with exercise, can tighten and strengthen the pectoral muscles, reducing the appearance of male breast tissue.Before adding any of the above supplements into your diet, it is important to consult with a physician. If you suffer from Gynecomastia and are interested in learning more about the available surgery treatment options, please contact our clinic to schedule a consultation. We understand how devastating the development of enlarged male breasts can be and are dedicated to helping restore our patients’ confidence and appearance.
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