Growth Hormones in Food

Western diet:

People in Western countries particularly USA, have meat and milk for their diet more than other items. Suppliers of these products add hormones to increase both production and quality. Every one knows that Hormone growth promotants ( HGP s ) are used for achieving livestock in large quantities as well. For this reason in USA, FDA permits giving harmonic injections to cattle. These hormones are meant to boost production as well as profit for the dairy suppliers, but we should also look in to our health.

Let`s take a look at hormones in the first case:

Hormones come as natural supplements which emit chemical reaction in the body that affects the functions of the organs. We require these hormones for our development and women in particular require them for giving birth to a child. Milk produced from Cow has hormones that are good for health. But the real concern comes when we think of hormones that are synthetic, and injected in the cattle`s body.

Milk containing growth hormones:

In the period 1930-40 we saw the initial injection of hormones in cattle when bovine somatotropin ( BST ) was used to boost production of milk. This hormone is produced by the pituitary glands in cows that work with hormones of other kinds to produce milk. In the period 1980-90 a record was achieved in boosting production of milk by using rBGH ( Recombinant Bovine growth hormone ).

Beef containing growth hormones:

In 1956 DES ( diethyllstilbestrol ) was injected to cattle to make them grow fat and give meat more quickly. This process ensured meat supply at a faster rate as well. FDA has recommended the following in ensuring more supply: Hormone Growth Promotants ( HJPs ) - 6 types Natural hormones - Testosterone, Oestradiol, Progesterone Synthetic hormones - Trenbolone, Melengestrol, Zeranol

Growth hormones in food:

When we inject hormones in cows, a smaller residue of these hormones pass on to the meat and dairy products extracted from the cow. We do not have any study that determines the effect of consuming these products. But still there are some dangers that have been found and are listed as below:

1. Lowers the teenage years in both girls and boys


2. Women are subject to breast cancer


3. Men are subject to prostate cancer

There are environmental issues that still concern people who are in to the research. Hormones not only pass on to food products but also on to cow`s manure. When such manure passes on to rivers, it affects the life of fish and other aquatic animals. Since then the advisory body of European Union ( EU ) had strictly restricted using hormones with food substances and imports of beef products from USA to protect their peoples` health.