Under normal circumstances, men’s chests are flat, with only two pea-sized nipples, almost no mammary gland tissue. However, some men may have enlarged breasts, often attributed to obesity. A study at the University of Oxford found that male breast development may be an early warning sign of liver disease.
Experts say that if a liver disease patient’s liver function deteriorates and the liver’s ability to inactivate estrogen decreases, it can lead to an increase in estrogen levels in the body, resulting in male breast development and other symptoms like spider naevi, all related to abnormal liver function. According to research, the number of male breast development cases has increased by at least 40% compared to ten years ago.
What are the risk factors for liver disease occurrence?
1. Excessive alcohol consumption
Many men have a fondness for alcohol, and excessive drinking can lead to the formation of alcoholic liver disease. This is mainly because ethanol, after entering the stomach, is digested and absorbed through the small intestine and enters the liver as acetaldehyde. Accumulation of acetaldehyde in excess can lead to the formation of alcoholic liver disease.
2. Frequently staying up late
The liver’s primary metabolic peak is around 1 a.m. daily, and staying up late frequently can cause the liver to miss its normal metabolic peak, leading to the accumulation of metabolic by-products and the development of liver disease.
3. Misuse of medications
Since most nutrients in the body must pass through the liver for metabolism and absorption before entering the bloodstream, drugs taken by individuals will also reach the liver. Overconsumption of drugs that are harmful to the liver can lead to the occurrence of liver disease.
How can you protect and nurture your liver in daily life?
1. Avoid staying up late and ensure sufficient sleep
We all know that “liver nurturing occurs during sleep.” Avoiding staying up late is crucial for liver health so that the liver can detoxify effectively. Additionally, the body’s rest during sleep reduces the burden on the liver. Sleeping well to nurture the liver has its reasons.
So, before going to bed at night, try to avoid using your phone and relax your mind to fall asleep quickly.
2. A liver-protecting drink between meals
Prepare some tea bags made of Osmanthus 1.5g and clove leaves 1.5g, crush them all, make tea bags, and drink the infused tea. The combination of the two helps to soothe the liver, regulate qi, nurture the stomach, detoxify, and protect liver health.
Ancient medical book “Essential Prescriptions in the Golden Cabinet” states: “Clove supplements the liver, moistens the gate of vitality, warms the stomach, dispels cold in the center, clears the lungs, disperses wind and dampness.” Cloves protect the liver and aid in detoxification, supplement kidney yang and are excellent stomach warmers. Osmanthus warms the center, stops pain, transforms phlegm, and disperses stasis, effectively treating stomach and abdominal pain.
3. Consume more green foods
In traditional Chinese medicine, green foods enter the liver meridian, facilitating liver energy circulation, metabolism, fatigue elimination, and easing liver stagnation. Green foods are rich in chlorophyll, vitamins, and trace elements that promote liver cell regeneration, maintain digestive system health, balance acidity levels, and detoxify.
4. Massage the liver acupoint—Ganshu (BL18)
The Ganshu acupoint is located on the back, below the 9th thoracic vertebra spinous process, about 1.5 inches to the side. It is the back transport point of the liver, where the liver’s primordial qi gathers, essential for liver nourishment.
According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, when an organ exhibits disease, there may be corresponding abnormal reactions at the back transport point (such as sensitivity, tenderness, etc.). Thus, regular massage of this acupoint can soothe liver qi, clear heat, nourish the liver and improve vision, promote qi flow, and alleviate pain.
