We've determined that the presence of growth hormone itself in milk may not be a major concern. Rather, the IGF-1 that results is more likely the cause of chronic health issues related to milk. Does this mean that there are no hormone-related issues with milk? Not necessarily.
Let's look at the conclusions of several research studies.
1. "Among the routes of human exposure to estrogens, we are particularly concerned about cows' milk, which contains considerable amounts of estrogens....milk and dairy products, which account for 60-70% of the estrogens consumed." Med Hypothesis 2001 Oct;57(4):510-4.
Some authors argue that the amount of sex hormones present is so small that it is not likely to have an effect. But remember that a little may not hurt an adult, but that same amount may injure a child.
2. "Exogenous contributions of estrogens will therefore constitute a relatively higher proportion of sex hormone activity in the immature child." A
nalytica Chim Acta 2007 Mar 14;586(1-2):105-14.
Many researchers agree that there is increased risk to young children due to these small amounts of sex hormones.
3. "Sexual maturation of prepubertal children could be affected by the ordinary intake of cow milk." Pediatr Int 2009 May 22
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Many chemicals, including various hormones and cellular signals, produced in our bodies appear in breast milk. The same is true for cows. They produce milk containing many chemicals including sex hormones. So the question of organic versus non-organic milk becomes a moot point with respect to sex hormone levels. Even so, let's see what research has shown.
4. "Conventionally labeled milk had significantly less estradiol and progesterone than organic milk. ... Milk labeled rBST-free had similar concentrations of progesterone vs. conventional milk and similar concentrations of estradiol vs. organic milk..... Conventional, rBST free, and organic milk are compositionally similar." J Am Diet Assoc 2008 Jul;108(7):1198-203
This is not to say that organic milk and conventional milk are the same. It means that the sex hormone content is roughly the same.
Is exogenous intake of hormone good for you? Most of us have the visceral instinct that this is not good. Let's remember that even organic dairy is full of these hormones. It is pesticides that they are missing (which is a good thing). But removing one evil doesn't automatically remove all of them.
Let's look at the conclusions of several research studies.
1. "Among the routes of human exposure to estrogens, we are particularly concerned about cows' milk, which contains considerable amounts of estrogens....milk and dairy products, which account for 60-70% of the estrogens consumed." Med Hypothesis 2001 Oct;57(4):510-4.
Some authors argue that the amount of sex hormones present is so small that it is not likely to have an effect. But remember that a little may not hurt an adult, but that same amount may injure a child.
2. "Exogenous contributions of estrogens will therefore constitute a relatively higher proportion of sex hormone activity in the immature child." A
nalytica Chim Acta 2007 Mar 14;586(1-2):105-14.Many researchers agree that there is increased risk to young children due to these small amounts of sex hormones.
3. "Sexual maturation of prepubertal children could be affected by the ordinary intake of cow milk." Pediatr Int 2009 May 22
______________________________________
Many chemicals, including various hormones and cellular signals, produced in our bodies appear in breast milk. The same is true for cows. They produce milk containing many chemicals including sex hormones. So the question of organic versus non-organic milk becomes a moot point with respect to sex hormone levels. Even so, let's see what research has shown.
4. "Conventionally labeled milk had significantly less estradiol and progesterone than organic milk. ... Milk labeled rBST-free had similar concentrations of progesterone vs. conventional milk and similar concentrations of estradiol vs. organic milk..... Conventional, rBST free, and organic milk are compositionally similar." J Am Diet Assoc 2008 Jul;108(7):1198-203
This is not to say that organic milk and conventional milk are the same. It means that the sex hormone content is roughly the same.
Is exogenous intake of hormone good for you? Most of us have the visceral instinct that this is not good. Let's remember that even organic dairy is full of these hormones. It is pesticides that they are missing (which is a good thing). But removing one evil doesn't automatically remove all of them.
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