While the potential ramifications of rBGH use for humans are certainly worth examining, so are the risks for the cows being given them. In cows treated with rBGH, health problems often develop. According to a meta-analysis published in , injecting cows with rBGH increases the risk of three important health conditions:.
An increased risk of mastitis is particularly concerning—for cows and the rest of the world—because these infections are treated with antibiotics, and the high use of antibiotics in livestock can create antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Given that growth hormones are produced naturally by cows, they can be expected to register at some level in all milk samples.
However, data shows that organic milk contains less bovine growth hormone than conventional milk. A study conducted by Emory University in collaboration with The Organic Center found that bovine growth hormone levels were 20 times higher in conventional milk than in organic milk.
Not only does eliminating rBGH and other livestock hormones from dairy and meat reduce potential risk for humans, it also promotes humane animal treatment by reducing the proven health risks for the cows who provide us with food. Additionally, it can be argued that cows produce plenty of milk and meat without the need for added hormones.
To us, keeping milk simple and natural is just plain common sense. The treated animal then loses its organic certification and must be removed from the organic herd. You can buy milk at nearly every store that sells consumable products—from supermarkets and big box stores right down to your local corner gas station. But that doesn't mean all those milks are created equal; there are a few things to look for if you're trying to buy the healthiest milk around.
This list of dairy milks will make putting together your weekly shopping list easier—and healthier—than ever. According to Rueven, the health benefits of organic milk can be found in its lack of hormones and antibiotics as well as its ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids.
Stonyfield's organic milk checks all the necessary boxes, making it a solid choice. Ultra-filtered milk is like organic milk on steroids, except, you know, not—because it's basically the cleanest milk around, free of GMOs, antibiotics, or pesticides. It's also technically healthier and easier to digest. Love the taste of milk but hate the GI symptoms that come with being lactose intolerant? Lactose-free milk contains an enzyme called lactase, which Rueven says helps to break down the sugar found in milk a.
If you have trouble digesting milk , it might not be due to lactose. Rueven says this milk is produced from cows that do not produce the A1 protein, which means that some individuals with slight dairy intolerances may find it easier to digest.
Milk produced by The a2 Milk Company has also received certification from Validus , a company that performs farm animal welfare audits to ensure ethical treatment. Magryta says the addition of omega-3s and choline in this milk can support brain health, and that Clover cows are American Humane Certified and raised on local family-owned farms that follow sustainable agriculture practices.
The Clover Sonoma milk brand is only available on the west coast, but it's a healthy and eco-friendly choice for folks living in the Pacific time zone. The Lifeline farm is biodynamic-certified and grows 80 percent of the feed for their dairy cows in-house, per Magryta. At this time, it is not clear that drinking milk, produced with or without rBGH treatment, increases blood IGF-1 levels into a range that might be of concern regarding cancer risk or other health effects.
These were:. At least 8 other national and international review committees have evaluated the evidence concerning potential health effects of rBGH on humans and dairy cows. These reviews and the most recent year they convened are listed below. Several of these reports document adverse effects on cows, including higher rates of mastitis, foot problems, and injection site reactions.
Although the use of rBGH is still approved in the United States, demand for the product has decreased in recent years. Many large grocery store chains no longer carry milk from cows treated with rBGH.
The available evidence shows that the use of rBGH can cause adverse health effects in cows. The evidence for potential harm to humans is inconclusive. It is not clear that drinking milk produced using rBGH significantly increases IGF-1 levels in humans or adds to the risk of developing cancer. More research is needed to help better address these concerns.
0コメント