Why are there so many hormones in our foods..such as in the milk and meat that we eat?

Question

And aren't these hormones passed onto humans when humans consume these foods? Could this be a big reason why women are having major problems with progesterone and also weight problems because their bodies are totally out of whack because of these added hormones?

What are the safety guides for these hormones?

Answer 1

Cheap filler and bottom line $. Ranchers want to produce more cattle in a shorter period and may only have about 14 months to get a calf to selling size. Growth hormones help the cattle put on weight in record time as well as reducing the amount of fat in the meat.



The hormones banned by the EU in cattle farming were estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, melengesterol acetate, trenbolone acetate, and zeranol.



Of these, the first three are endogenous hormones that are naturally produced in humans and animals, and also occur in a wide range of foods, whereas the second three are exogenous hormones that are synthetic and not naturally occurring, that mimic the behaviour of endogenous hormones



The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) current approves of five different types of hormones used in cattle and sheep. Of these, testosterone and progesterone are usually produced naturally by the animals and zeranol and trenbolone acetate are synthetically made. Zeranol mimics estradiol, Trenbolone acetate mimics testosterone, and Melengestrol acetate (MGA) mimics progesterone.



It is believed (hence the EU-US dispute) hormones are passed onto humans when they consume the foods; however, the evidence is inconclusive because of the naturally occurring hormones in these animals. Here is some scientific data concerning comparisons: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1467-8276.00100



You can follow the US-EU dispute here. http://cofasonline.fas.usda.gov/itp/policy/hormone.html Also look up "the Texas Plan"



Good question regarding the progesterone, btw. You'd probably want to ask a good endocrinologist their take on that.



As far as the Safety Guidelines, you can contact the USDA for that information here: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/larc/Claims/Organic_Claims.htm

Answer 2

Yes you are so right.

Food and water is full of these hormones because perpetual milk production by livestock may require hormonal dosing of cattle for instance. Plus the water is full of hormones that are entering rivers from sewage output. Sewage is full of hormones mainly as a consequence of contraceptive use. Then there is the endocrine-disrupting compounds in the water supply and food chain from PCBs, dioxins and other synthetics.



There is evidence for fish developing female characteristics from contraceptive contamination of the water supply and from PCBs/dioxins. As you move up the food chain you can find effects at all levels - including humans. Fertility is on the decline and these hormone-disrupting contaminants are implicated.



Stay away from river/farmed fish in particular. Try to eat organic if you can: especially milk/meat. Drink filtered water using a water filtration system that removes them.



Not sure about the guidelines to be honest with you.



Type pcbs and hermaphrodite into a search engine :(



This is a serious issue that needs more addressing from government, lobbies, scientists and companies involved. Ordinary consumers need more education too.



Best wishes.

Answer 3

It all comes down to money. If the farmer (corporation) can spend $5.00 on a hormone shot and get $25.00 more at sale because the cow weighs more, they do it.



The FDA seems to be firmly behind the food industry and is not looking out for the people.



It's not just hormones. If you look at the labels, MSG is being added to just about anything that is pre-prepared and comes in a package or can. Anything "Hydrolized" is MSG. and the FDA does not have any requirements for labeling so in effect, the food company can call it Hydrolized Vegetable Protein or just about anything else, and it is OK with them.



MSG makes your brain "think" that food tastes better and makes it harder for your brain to realize when you are full.

It is given to lab animals to fatten them up.



There are no safety guides for hormones, so any added ones are probably bad for you. Girls 8 years of age are reaching puberty now. This never used to happen 50 years ago.



In short, the FDA is allowing us to be poisoned. If you want to limit your exposure, you have to buy your own organic food and prepare it from scatch.

Answer 4

Many foods contain naturally occurring hormones ( soy is very high in estrogen)

Milk from cows treated with synthetic hormone is indistinguishable from untreated milk. There is no test to detect it. Farmers have top be on the honesty policy about the use as there is no way to tell.