Hormones in milk and meat?

Hi Emma.

Have you asked the naturopath why she suggested organic animal products, in other words, how she feels you're affected by the hormones? It's not a bad idea to tell her what your reservations are so she can explain her reasons.

As regards Hashi's, soy is probably best avoided altogether, but there are a number of other options (rice, oat, almond, hemp milks and there's a coconut one, begins with a K, can't remember the name but it's very good).

I had a great experience with a naturopath a number of years ago when I had chronic sinusitis - I gave up dairy - but I've not tried it for my Hashi's.

As far as I'm aware all milk contains hormones.

My daughter is a farm vet, I can ask her what meds are routinely given and if they affect end products.

Interestingly, organic fed cattle tend to be a bit on the hypo side. Seems the relatively large amount of goitrogens eaten by "grass fed" animals are responsible (that is, clover, alfalfa and other plants) has the effect of reducing their ability to produce thyroid hormones.

So they and their milk might have a lower hormone content (at least of thyroid hormones) - but maybe not what you are seeking!

Rod

I work in the farming community, all be it with crops and not animals as such, but did you know that the cattle in this country are feed GM feed, so maybe this is one of the reasons why your neuropath has suggest only eating organic.

Please say away from soya as it has long been thought by many experts to damage the thyroid, this again is also GM.

thyroid.about.com/cs/soyinf...

Your could always try this site for information, how good it will be I don't know but it may give you any idea of what and how our cattle are feed.

fwi.co.uk/livestock/beef/

Moggie x

I farm. Animals in the UK are only given antibiotics when they are sick, as you would hope, and then there is a withdrawal period to make sure there is no trace of it in any animal for meat. Any animal with antibiotics in its system is disgarded. If antibiotics is found in the milk, this is disgarded and the farmer is fined, so they are very careful to make sure this does not happen. Growth hormones have been banned for years and years.

The video shows cows when they are first turned out in the spring, and most herds will have a good frolic, and the farmers love to see this. Unfortunately, cows turned out into fields may become a thing of the past, as if they eat the grass a badger had peed on, they are at risk of contracting TB. They are tested very often for this, and are taken from the farmer and killed if they show any trace of TB. Farmers are now being advised to keep the cows in a badger proof building.

There are traces of natural hormones in any animal, whether it is organic or not. After all, they need them when they are alive, just as we do. Most hormones naturally dissipate when the animal is hung after slaughter.

Here in Britain we have very strong rules for farm animals. Every animal is traceable back to the farm where it was born and reared. Feed is checked regularly as is the way the animal is cared for. Unfortunately this is not always true of imported meat, so try and make sure you buy British.

I try really hard to only eat organic meat that's been dynamically farmed. The owner is passionate about animal welfare and has very high standards. Also available is buffalo milk which makes the most delicious ice cream.

Think it was Dr Myhill who said that milk is for calves, not humans. Food for thought as it were.

It's very hard to change habits of a lifetime so do hope that you will keep us updated!

I get organic milk because of the chemicals that go into poor overworked dairy cows, but not sure even this is enough.

I recently found a raw milk supplier and it is fantastic. Just like milk from my childhood. If you read about what happens to homogenised milk you wouldn't drink it again, and even organic milk is homogenised....

I wouldn`t touch any meat, Especially that which came from a cow, because Iv`e heard that they give oestrogen ot them to fatten them up for slaughter, & it has been speculated by experts that this is the cause of falling male fertility, & premature puberty in girls.

I live in Canada and I trust our meat and dairy here. My dad works in the farming industry in the UK, specifically cattle. After hearing how strict regulations are for cattle farmers, I have even more trust in the UK meat and dairy than I do in Canada. I dont know if people in the UK realize how lucky they are that they have such strict rules governing food there. Whereas I wont touch meat or dairy when I travel to the States!

Oestrogen is given by the vet if a cow wasn't getting pregnant, cows aren't eaten but each one is electronically tagged with great detail (in UK anyway). When my daughter worked at the knacker's yard they had all cow/beef animals over 30 months, their meat was painted blue & went for dog/cat food, also they had the occasional giraffe & zebra! More likely oestrogen is in the water from 40 years use of the pill! (IMHO). I also prefer to see holes & a guilty slug in my cabbage - I know its safe to eat then, no herbicides/irradiation! (or grow my own) J

Thank you very much to everyone for the interesting and thought-provoking responses. It seems that, in purely hormone terms, I wouldn't benefit from swapping 'normal' meat for organic because there wouldn't be much difference. With milk, my naturopath wasn't saying that no-one should drink cow's milk, she has suggested I stop because we need to try and regulate my wayward hormones and I don't need any additional/external hormones to cope with. So, even if the amount is negligible, perhaps it's worth me trying something else (not soya!) until - hopefully - things improve in the lady department!! Which will then hopefully help keep my thyroid under control too, all things endocrine being linked. This is only one of a number of things I am trying to fingers something will work!

Also, I just found this foodcomm.org.uk/articles/mi... which seems to be reasonably independent! The conclusion is that we don't have enough evidence to know for sure if there's any effect from cows' milk on humans.

If you can find cows milk that is pasturised but not homoginised, try that. The fat globules in it behave in a very different way and it has been proved that it is better for the gut.

Latest research on milk has proved better than most "health" and sports drinks.