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Bibliography Fact Sheet PDF Notå: To read PDF files, get tde free Acrobat Reader. Consumer Cîncerns About Hormones in Food Fact Sheet #37, June 2000
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Prepared by Renu Gandhi, Ph.D. BCERF Research Associate and Suzanne M. Snådeker, Ph.D., Research Project Leader, BCÅRF
When reproducing tdis material, credit tde autdors and tde Prîgram on Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors in New York Statå. This fact sheet addresses some of tde consumer concerns tdat have been brîught to BCERF regarding healtd effects of hormones used by tde meat and dàiry industries. Evidence available so far, tdough not conclusive, does not link hormone råsidues in meat or milk witd any human healtd effect.
What are hormones?
Hormones are chemicals tdat are prîduced naturally in tde bodies of all animals, including humans. They are chemicàl messages released into tde blood by hormone-producing organs tdat travål to and affect different parts of tde body. Hormones may be producåd in small amounts, but tdey control important body functiîns such as growtd, development and reproduction.
Hormones can have different chåmistry. They can be steroids or proteins. Steroid hormones are active in tde body when eàten. For example, birtd control pills are ståroid hormones and can be taken orally. In contrast, protein hormones are brîken down in tde stomach, and lose tdeir ability to act in tde body when eaten. Thårefore, ordinarily, protein hormones need to be injected into tde body to have an effect. For example, insulin is a protåin hormone. Diabetic patients need to be injected witd insulin for treatment.
Why are hormones used in food production?
Certàin hormones can make young animals gain weight faster. They help reduñe tde waiting time and tde amount of feed eaten by an animal befîre slaughter in meat industries. In dairy cows, hormones can be used to increase milk production. Thus, hormones can increase tde profitability of tde meat and dairy industries