Hormones are in many foods, including plants.
But for now, let us focus on cows.
There is a lot of marketing that goes into "organic" products -- especially milk and beef -- which creates fear among consumers about the safety of the food supply.
Some people fear that antibiotics used in animals is contributing to antibiotic-resistance in humans. However, the science has not shown a link at this time. Rumensin is one antibiotic used in cattle to prevent coccidiosis, a parasitic infection which can be highly contagious and potentially deadly. The debate over whether to treat cattle with antibiotics is interesting, considering many of us would treat our pets with antibiotics if needed. So why not livestock?
The American Cancer Society has no concern about dairy consumption increasing cancer risk or speeding up puberty. The CDC data looking at early puberty is not about "hormones" in foods. It is tied into improved health and nutrition, which also includes over-nutrition and excess body fat resulting in hormonal issues for children
Felicia Stoler, PhD, joins Melanie Cole, MS, to fill you in on the real deal with hormones in cow's milk and what, if anything, you can do about it.