Disastrous Dairy? – Consumers Must Be Choosy

June 15, 2011 in Daily Nutrition, Drop the Drag, Energy, Metabolism by kelli | 1 comment

This week, let’s drop the hormone- and antibiotic-food drag…what’s in your milk?

In the United States, it is perfectly legal to inject cows with an artificial hormone to increase milk production. The name of the artificial hormone is Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin or Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBST or rBGH). While it’s banned in Canada, the European Union, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, it’s used in approximately 20% of U.S. dairy cattle.

In animals, the use of rBGH and rBST has been documented to increase milk production, significantly increase mastitis, decrease fertility, and increase lameness.

Many consumer groups are concerned about the effect of rBGH and rBST in human health. While there are no conclusive studies that show harm in humans, there is animal study evidence. And while the FDA claims no difference between hormone and hormone-free milk, many believe it may be linked to increased incidence of breast cancer, hormone imbalances, and early puberty.

Additionally, if your dairy-source isn’t organic, there’s a good chance that the cattle are routinely given antibiotics, regardless of illness. The problem? These antibiotics make it into the dairy products. The more antibiotics in your foods, the more in your body, the more you may risk antibiotic related side-effects (low healthy bacteria in your body) and resistance to prescribed antibiotics should you need them.

I don’t think that the right answer is to ban all dairy from your diet, if you like it and tolerate it well. It has a lot to offer. Its specific proteins are great for both short-term and long-term muscle retention after hard training. Whey, specifically, helps “dieting” athletes who are trying to lose fat maintain muscle. It also have vitamins and minerals that are important to athletes and non-athletes alike. If you are able to consume it in raw form (non-pasteurized), you will also get a lot of immune- and health-boosting nutrients that promote high levels of antioxidant production in our cells. Furthermore, it is also a favorite food for many people. You can still use it, as long as you’re an educated and choosy consumer.

Fuel Right Meal Plans strive to be antibiotic, rBGH-free and rBST-free. When looking for dairy products be sure to purchase organic products or those that state they are rBGH-free and rBST-free. Then, go a step further and find out about the use of antibiotics in the cattle – is it used only when they are sick? Are they taken out of “production” for milk when they are ill and being treated? You may only be able to find the answers to these questions if you use a local dairy. And, most organic producers do not routinely use antibiotics.

For buying dairy products, I recommend organic, antibiotic- and hormone- free producers. It may hurt you in the wallet initially, but save you in long-term medical issues.

Drop the artificial hormones, drop the extra antibiotics, drop the drag.

Give your body the fuel it needs everyday while avoiding junk that can drag it down. If you would like my help with this, I offer comprehensive plans as Instant Downloads and as Custom Clients starting at just $20. My coaching clients receive new recipes, tips, and ongoing support. And, as a FuelRightBlog reader, get a further discount with coupon code: password-frblog username-reader. I’d love to work with you!

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