Hormones in Food

Hormones are very essential for the proper functioning of the various body organs of the humans, as well as other animals. Imbalance of a single hormone can create a lot of problems. Hormones are certain kind of chemicals that are naturally present in the human body. They are actually produced in a very small amount in the various hormone producing organs, but their role is very significant in various body functions, including reproduction as well as development and growth of various body parts.

Hormones are basically of two types - steroids and proteins. Protein hormones are normally in a cramped stage in the stomach. These hormones lose their function when we eat anything, while steroid hormones get active only when we eat anything. Due to this contradiction, protein hormones must get induced in the body in order for them to perform properly. There are several illnesses that are caused by the lack of several important hormones. For instance, patients suffering from diabetes need to be given insulin, which is a protein hormone.

Hormones in Food: Natural
There are several natural hormones in food products that are very useful. Some notable plants contain certain hormone like substances that are called as phytoestrogens (dietary hormones), that can cause several dysfunctions, it also has remedial properties. It is said that the phytoestrogens can protect against breast cancer. There are several researches though that point out the downfalls of the phytoestrogens. When female rats were fed with isoflavonoid coumestrol, they showed various physical dysfunctions such as irregular menstruation in female rats and male rats showed abnormal mating behavior. The rat offspring also obtained the induced hormones. This research was carried forward by Patricia L. Whitten who is a biological anthropologist from Atalanta. While another research showed extra uterine growth and also increase in weight. Infertility syndrome called as clover disease were observed in the cattle who were fed on the ear containing these hormones for research purposes.

Hormones in Food: Artificial
It has been observed that there are several hormones (growth hormones) that help animals gain weight in no time. Inducing such hormones in the animals artificially, can reduce the amount of food as well as the time required for gaining weight. All this results into quick production of the animals for the meat industry. The same technique is applied in the dairy production as it also increases the milk production of cows and other dairy animals.

Artificially induced hormones in animals can increase the dairy as well as meat production. During the 1930s various hormones like bovine growth hormone (bGH) estrogen were artificially induced in the pituitary glands of the cows that resulted in the large production of milk. Then in 1950, a synthetic form of estrogen called diethylstilbestrol (DES) was induced to fatten the chicken and cattle. DES was ruled out as it had cancer causing properties. Today, more than 80% of the cattle are raised by using such artificial hormones that help to increase their growth rate as well as the body mass. The US department of agriculture has given permission to use six hormones that can be used for cattle but not in the poultry. These hormones are:

• Zeranol
• Estradiol
• Testosterone
• Progesterone
• Melengestrol acetate
• Trenbolone acetate

Among these six hormones, testosterone, estradiol and progesterone are natural hormones and melengestrol acetate, trenbolone acetate and zeronol are synthetic hormones. Zeranol and estradiol can cause some serious health problems. These hormones in food products can lead to severe health problems including ovarian cyst and cancer.

Hormones in Food: Cause of Concern
Hormones are generally introduced into animals by an ear implant (they are put under the ear skin). According to the European Union's Scientific Committee on SCVPH (Veterinary Measures Relating to Public Health), when natural hormones are fed to the cattle, the level of their hormones increases from 7 to 20 times more. It also questioned about the possible side effects on the human body after consuming the hormones in meat as well as dairy products. After thorough research, the SCVPH came to the conclusion that "no acceptable daily intake could be established for any of these hormones" and those who eat food products having these hormonal residues are at a great risk of severe hormonal imbalance as well as various types of cancer.

Growth hormones induced in cattle are totally banned by the EU from the last 20 years. On the other hand, around 1/3 of the total cattle in the US are supposedly being fed on rbGH. This specifically designed hormones is injected in the cows to increase the milk production. These hormones have their side effects like mastitis (udder infection causing pus that can later get into the milk that we consume). Hence, they are given certain special antibiotics that cause more trouble. The hormonal residues as well as the residues of the antibiotics get into the human body and create havoc by creating antibiotic resistant bacteria. These hormones have their negative effects on the environment as well, because the undigested hormones are secreted in the manure that later dissolves in the soil.

Hormones in Food: Course of Action
We cannot simply stop consuming things that might contain artificial hormones. Instead, we can check whether the farm animals are raised with the hormones in their food. Hormones in milk products can be avoided by purchasing milk from some local farmer that can make it easy to keep an eye on the usage of hormones in food products. The dairy products from Australia, Japan, EU and Canada will be hormone free so you can consume those food items.

Being more aware of the hormones in food is the most important thing. The farmers who are using artificial hormones for pure commercial benefits, should give a thought if it is worth playing with the lives of millions of people for a small amount of money.