1. Health

WHY DO FARMERS USE GROWTH HORMONES?

Growth Hormones are a protein hormone that alters the rate of growth in humans and other animals. It consists of over 191 amino acids forming single-chain polypeptide. It is released from the pituitary gland into the bloodstream. These hormones act to promote growth in the animals that are treated with it.

Growth hormones used in animals used for consumption is highly controversial. When an animal’s natural progress is altered by an artificial intervention that is cause for concern. It is important to point out that hormones are also present naturally in all animals and humans.

It is a lucrative business to add growth hormones to cattle. Increasing the growth speed of animals leads to a direct increase in profits. If this doesn’t draw suspicion, then I don’t know what will.

The hormone rBGH is used to enhance milk production in cows. There is a concern that these hormones are transferred to humans when they consume milk. Higher than normal hormones in a human’s body can cause all sorts of health problems including cancer.

The controversy of hormones in foods relates to whether the hormones used in animals are transferred to us when we eat the meat. Some say it just passes through our digestive system and isn’t absorbed.

WHY ARE THE NEGATIVE RESULTS OF USING GROWTH HORMONES?

Higher use of antibiotics

Cows that are given the growth hormone rBGH tend to be treated with more antibiotics because the cows’ udders are more susceptible to infections. Heavy antibiotic use contributes to the global health threat of antibiotic resistance which is just no good news for anyone.

Research is limited

There is little research done regarding cattle treated with hormones. This could mean the health effects of eating treated cattle is a lot worse than is known.

Hormones can be dangerous

Excess hormones are known to cause very serious issues in humans, including early puberty, cancer and a range of other problems. It is common sense to avoid eating cattle that were given artificial hormones, especially knowing that the main reason for doing that is to increase profits.

HOW CAN GROWTH HORMONES END UP IN FOOD?

Hormones are given to cattle that humans eat as meat or that produces byproducts such as milk or eggs. This would be the most obvious way for growth hormones to end up in our food supply.

HOW TO RECOGNIZE GROWTH HORMONES ON A LABEL. 

The United States federal government has banned the use of hormones on poultry and pigs. You will likely see the following disclaimer on these products “Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones in poultry/pork”.

Hormones can be used on cows, however. To avoid buying meat treated with hormones look for labels that specifically state that it wasn’t treated with hormones. You can now also find “RBGH-free” or “rBST-free” on dairy labels.

CONCLUSION

So there you have it. The use of growth hormones for the growth of cattle is highly frowned upon because the health potentials can be very serious. To protect yourself read the labels of the foods you want to consume and avoid eating beef or dairy with no marking regarding hormones. If it is not stated that it is hormone-free then it should be treated with suspicion.

Say no to growth hormones in your food
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