Dairy, hormones and the hulk

Photo: Richard BH

Too many hormones are not good for you (and terrible for children.)  Our bodies create the hormones we need and regulate well normally.  We should avoid food with lots of hormones and especially artificial hormones.

Which brings us to dairy...

Artificial growth hormones: 

recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) or recombinant bovine growth hormone(rBGH). It's hard to keep up with all the terms and protect yourself.. That's partially due to always emerging new technologies and partially due to companies attempt to 'spin' a product. These artificial hormones are endocrine disruptors and are bad news.

To simplify.  Cows make the hormones they need (bovine somatotropin) in small amounts.  Artificial hormones cause milk production to skyrocket. (read $$$) and cause cows lameness and more importantly mastitis- inflamed udders.

Health Problems in Humans

These hormones cows are shot up with causes milk to be lower in potassium and lactoferrin (anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal.) and reduces casein (amino acids, carbohydrates, calcium and phosphorus.) and the kicker, they pass these hormones on to you. 


This can increase our cancer risks.  Growing children who are inundated with more hormones reach 

puberty early, endocrine disruptor's can cause early breast cancer, cancerous tumors, birth defects, and other developmental disorders, learning disabilities, severe attention deficit disorder, cognitive and brain development problems; deformations of the body (including limbs); breast cancer, prostate cancer, thyroid and other cancers, sexual development problems. 1. Are you forming a picture? That dollar extra for organic doesn't seem so expensive now does it?

"Drinking the Koolaid"

Lobbyists have convinced your government to mandate that anyone who produces a product free of artificial hormones to state..."According To the FDA, no significant difference has been shown between milk derived From rbst treated And non-rbst treated cows" (Monsanto was kind enough to donate the researchers to prove this.2.) Still think the FDA is here to protect you? Don't kid yourselves, it's about money not health.  Do your research and shop with your dollar.

What about the rest of the world?

A European Union report on the animal welfare effects of rbst states that its usage often results in "severe and unnecessary pain, suffering and distress" for cows, "associated with serious mastitis, foot disorders and some reproductive problems"3. They're reporting the true case for your safety and have banned the use of artificial growth hormones for cows. Most of the world has banned it in fact.

How can you avoid artificial hormones in dairy?

Imported cheese always hormone free because other countries do not allow their farmers to give their cows growth hormones.

Organic dairy cannot come from cows treated with growth hormones.

Know your farmer and how they treat their cows.  It affects the milk directly.

Conclusions

Do your homework. Shop wisely.  Speak up.  Tell the farmers and the government what you want.  We want yummy safe cheese!... and maybe some red wine to go with it.

sources: 

1.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocrine_disruptor
2.Hansen, Michael, Ph.D.; Halloran, Jean M.; Groth, Edward III, Ph.D.; Lefferts, Lisa Y. (September 1997). "Potential Public Health Impacts Of The Use Of Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin In Dairy Production".
3. The Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare, European Union. 10 March 1999.

other places for more info:
-http://www.breastcancerfund.org/clear-science/radiation-chemicals-and-breast-cancer/bovine-growth-hormone.html

Aspartame- Yes it is really that bad!

As we watch our sugar intake, we replace it with something much more dangerous.

In your system Aspartame breaks down into methanol and methanal - aka formaldehyde.1 (This happens by hydrolysis under elevated temperatures and in high ph situations.)2
Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, wood naphtha or wood spirits, is a chemical with formula CH3OH (often abbreviated MeOH). It is toxic: drinking 10 ml will cause blindness, and as little as 100 ml will cause death.

It is the simplest alcohol2

Aspartame caused cancer in rats in the FDA’s initial and halted testing.

In addition it’s list of possible side effects include…3 (Note that these are side effects reported to the FDA and not acknowledged by the FDA.  Wouldn't want to upset the lobbyists right?)

Eyeblindness in one or both eyes

decreased vision
blurring, bright flashes
decreased night vision

pain in one or both eyes

decreased tears

trouble with contact lenses

bulging eyes
Eartinnitus - ringing or buzzing sound

severe intolerance of noise

marked hearing impairment
Neurologicepileptic :

seizures

headaches, migraines and (some severe)

dizziness, unsteadiness,

confusion, memory loss,

drowsiness and sleepiness

paresthesia or numbness of the limbs

severe slurring of speech

severe hyperactivity and restless legs

atypical facial pain

severe tremors
Psychological/Psychiatricsevere:

depression

irritability

aggression

anxiety

personality changes

insomniaphobias
Chestpalpitations,

cardiashortness of breathrecent

high blood pressure
Gastrointestinal:

nausea

diarrhea,

abdominal pain

pain when swallowing
Skin and Allergies:

itching without a rash

lip and mouth reactions

hives

aggravated respiratory allergies such as asthma
Endocrine and Metabolic:

loss of control of diabetes

menstrual changes

marked thinning or loss of hair

aggravated low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

severe PMS
Other:

frequency of voiding and burning during urination

excessive thirst,

fluid retention,

susceptibility to infection

Additional Symptoms of Aspartame Toxicity include the most critical symptoms of all:

death

irreversible brain damage

birth defects, including mental retardation

peptic ulcers

aspartame addiction and increased craving for sweets

hyperactivity in children

severe depression

aggressive behavior

suicidal tendencies
Aspartame may trigger, mimic, or cause the following illnesses:Chronic Fatigue SyndromeEpstein-BarrPost-Polio SyndromeLyme DiseaseGrave’s DiseaseMeniere’s DiseaseAlzheimer’s DiseaseALSEpilepsyMultiple Sclerosis (MS)EMSHypothyroidismMercury sensitivity from Amalgam fillingsFibromyalgiaLupusnon-HodgkinsLymphomaAttention Deficit Disorder (ADD) 3

If it's a matter of calories, perhaps you should consider the cost.

If it's a matter of blood sugar, perhaps you should consider a safer alternative to your sodas and sweets. (naturally flavored soda water)

Aspartame is a highly debated and very much a political money maker and scandal for the FDA and US government. There is a multitude of information and yet to be a definitive answer. Be careful. The idependant studies have found some scary things about it.

sources
1.Eat This and Live- Don Colbert
2. ^ a b National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (August 22, 2008). "The Emergency Response Safety and Health Database: Methanol". http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ershdb/EmergencyResponseCard_29750029.html.3. 3.http://www.sweetpoison.com/aspartame-side-effects.html