How To Get Rid Of Man Boobs - Losing Moobs Naturally
Losing man boobs is not impossible, but the method that works for you will depend on whether your man breasts are the result of being overweight, over-fat, or a hormonal imbalance. Man boobs, or moobs as they're commonly known, are a source of distress for many men, and may appear as early as childhood. Fortunately you don't have to learn to live with them. This article takes a look at some of the most popular ways to lose man boobs, with a focus on natural, non-invasive methods.
What Causes Man Boobs In The First Place?
Man boobs can be caused by being overweight and/or having excess body fat, or as a result of a hormonal imbalance. In the latter case, the body is producing an abnormal ratio of male to female hormones, with the result that an excess of glandular tissue grows in the chest area. When man boobs are caused by hormonal imbalance, the condition is known as gynecomastia. However, some male breasts are simply the result of carrying too much body weight or fat, and are not hormonally-related. And in some cases, hormone imbalance may be present in an overweight person, so both factors contribute.
Man boobs may also occur in teenagers as a result of hormonal imbalance related to puberty; this typically corrects itself by the time for individual reaches his twenties.
In some cases of gynecomastia the hormonal imbalance may be related to a pathological condition, such as tumours in the testicles or cirrhosis of the liver (among others), so for this reason you should consult a doctor to check that your man boobs aren't the result of an underlying health condition that needs treatment. Tests for gynecomastia usually involve examination of the chest tissue, a variety of blood tests, and sometimes other tests such as ultrasound or a CT scan.
Getting Rid Of Man Boobs – The Options
The method you use to reduce your man boobs depends in part on whether they are the result of a hormonal imbalance or simply being overweight or over-fat. The options available include:
Cosmetic Surgery
Increasing numbers of men are resorting to cosmetic surgery to eliminate man boobs – male chest reduction is among the most increasingly requested types of plastic surgery in the US. The options available include liposuction and removal of the breast tissue after incision. While male breast reduction surgery can be an effective way to get rid of man boobs, it isn't the best choice for everyone. For one thing it's very expensive, and it is also painful and inconvenient. Plus it doesn't really address the root causes of the problem, such as a weight issue or hormonal imbalance.
Hormone Therapy
If you consult your doctor about the problem, and s/he diagnoses you with gynecomastia (hormonally-induced man breasts), you may be referred to an endocrinologist and offered a course of hormone treatment. This can be an effective method of reducing moobs also, although some men do experience side effects.
Diet and Exercise
If your man boobs are the result of being overweight, then the chances are that diet and exercise will greatly help the problem. While there is no one diet that is ideal for everyone, in general it's best to base your food intake around natural, unprocessed food and drinks, to eat only when hungry, and to stop when feeling full. A moderate exercise program incorporating aerobic exercise, weight training (especially in the chest area) and stretching exercises should show positive results within several weeks if you exercise consistently.
Rebalancing Your Hormones Naturally
Many men whose man boobs are a result of hormonal imbalance have had some success with resolving the issue at home, using natural methods. These include:
Weight training – weight training can help to elevate testosterone levels, and if you focus on the chest area, the underlying muscles can also be toned up, helping to improve the look of the chest. If you're unfamiliar with weight training, you should seek advice from a qualified personal trainer, as it's very important to choose the correct exercises and perform them properly to achieve the desired results.
Cardiovascular exercise – cardio exercise helps to burn excess body fat. This plays a role in hormone regulation, as many men with a high body fat percentage produce lower levels of testosterone. Also, just burning excess fat will help to improve the look of the chest area. Again, it's a good idea to get professional advice if you're unused to exercise.
Diet – food and drink can also affect hormone levels. For example, both alcohol and marijuana can decrease testosterone production, so should be avoided. It's believed by some authorities that female hormones in tap water (the result of urine excreted by women taking the pill) can have a negative effect, as can the hormones in meat and dairy produce from animals raised using intensive (factory) farming methods. If you want to play it safe, drink bottled water, and eat only organic or hormone-free animal produce.
Medications – some medications (including anabolic steroids and some diuretics) also affect your hormone levels and contribute to gynecomastia. If you're taking any form of medication, check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if it could be contributing to the problem, and request an alternative, if possible.
There is a lot you can do for yourself to eliminate man boobs, and in many cases they can be lost without resorting to surgery or potentially harmful medications. However, you should still see your doctor first, to check that your man boobs aren't the result of a health condition that requires medical attention.