A recent medical study* has shown that a chemical widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food products has been found in tissue samples of women with breast cancer.
A medical study has linked man boobs to a commonly used chemical
But how does this relate to men and man boobs?
For several years medical experts have voiced concerns about the potential role of these parabens in breast cancer as they possess estrogenic properties. Estrogen is known to play a central role in the development, growth and progression of breast cancer in women. But estrogen also plays a role in the development of male breasts when excessive levels of this hormone are present in a man’s body.
In men there is a delicate hormonal balance between the male hormone testosterone and the female hormone estrogen, with testosterone being the dominant. When this balance is upset in the favor of the female hormone males develop excess amounts of breast tissue, leading to the formation of man boobs.
Scientists have discovered that Parabens, and related chemical compounds, have an estrogen-mimicking effect which tricks the body into thinking that there is more of the female hormone than there actually is. This leads the man’s body to increase production of breast tissue, which in turn manifests itself as man boobs.
What products contain Parabens?
Parabens are a number of common chemical compounds that are found in everyday toiletry products including moisturizers, make-up, shaving foam, tanning lotions and toothpaste. They are also found in numerous brands of underarm deodorant.
What is of most concern for men is that they are present a lot of our favorite foods, such as processed meats including sausages, pies and pastries along with other savory snacks.
Parabens are chemical compounds of para-hydroxybenzoic acid and are widely used in cosmetics to extend their shelf-life by protecting them from microbial growth. The most common parabens used in cosmetic products are methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben.
For the most part the use of these chemicals has to be shown on the ingredients list that is printed of the product packaging. Parabens are also used in drugs and as food additives and also occur naturally in some foods like blueberries.
How to reduce exposure to these Man Boob Chemicals
The first thing to do is to switch to using all-natural toiletries and cosmetics which don’t contain any artificial chemicals. Natural soaps, deodorants, shampoos and toothpastes should be quite straightforward to find as there has been a surge in popularity of natural toiletry products in recent years.
Avoid all processed foods, especially those tasty microwave dinners from the frozen food section, and instead buy fresh fruit, vegetables and meat from your local grocery store. Buying food close to its source of production will help reduce any exposure to chemical additives.
We know it can be quite difficult to deal with a change in lifestyle and diet which is why we recommend man boob exercise programs.
As well as featuring some great exercises to get rid of man boobs, these programs also contain dietary advice, meal plans and lists of foods and products that should be avoided due to their estrogenic effects.
* Dr Philippa Darbre from the University of Reading studied tissue samples from 40 women undergoing mastectomies between 2005 and 2008 for first primary breast cancer in England.
