Hormones in our Daily Foods

Our children are sexually and hormonally developing earlier then past generations. Women are experiencing menopause symptoms in their 30’s. Cancer is spreading as if it’s contagious. Could the food we eat be playing a role? 

FDA: Food and Drug Administration or is it Food Destroying America?
The FDA has approved several steroid hormone drugs to be used in beef cattle and sheep. These hormones include estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and their synthetic versions. FDA says “These drugs increase the animals’ growth rate, the efficiency by which they convert the feed they eat into meat, and the leanness of their meat.” These hormones are also used in milking cows, chickens and pork.

The hormones are in pellet form and placed in the animals ears. The FDA does require that the ears are disregarded. The hormones are continuously released into the animal. Cows, just like humans, cannot produce milk unless they are pregnant or have just had a baby. The milking cow is artificially inseminated or given hormone injections to simulate pregnancy in order to produce milk. The day their calf is born it is taken from the mother. The mother cow is then hooked to a milking machine several times a day and artificially inseminated again.

An average cow’s life expectancy is 15-20 years. A milking cow typically lives four years and is then slaughtered for it’s beef. According to Wikipedia, “In 2009, approximately 19% of the US beef supply came from cull dairy cows: cows that can no longer be seen as an economic asset to the dairy farm. These animals may be sold due to reproductive problems or common diseases...”

Milking cows can get irritation, yeast, cracks and bleeding on their utters. They are given injections of antibiotics that are supposed help with the symptoms, but unfortunately puss that oozes from the cracked utters gets into the milk. The government does not regulate the amount of puss allowed in milk. They do however regulate raw milk that was hand squeezed from a cow or goat that was raised on a family farm with no added hormones.

We are not saying or implying that you should not eat meat or drink cow milk. We just want you to be aware of the facts that can be found on the FDA website. If you would like to try an alternative to cow’s milk there is almond milk, rice milk, and coconut milk.

When purchasing meat from a grocery store, look on the label for “hormone free”. Purchasing grass fed beef is also a good idea. There are local farmers who sale grass fed cattle for beef. Typically you purchase half a cow or a full cow, and freeze the meat to last throughout the year.

My grandfather is raising a grass fed cow for us right now. He lives on my great-grandma’s farm that has fed five generations. It’s located in Tahlequah, Ok. If you are interested in purchasing half a cow or a whole cow just leave a comment and let us know.

Missy Briggeman
Empowering Patients · Educating Minds · Healing Bodies

701 W. Queens St. Suite 100

Broken Arrow, OK 74012

918-994-4810

918-994-4816 Fax

What do these Recycling Symbols Mean?

At a recent conference we shared some information regarding the concerns over plastic containers.  Recently there was a big scare over BPA plastic leaching chemicals into water bottles and baby bottles.    Studies suggested that BPA mimics estrogen and interferes with hormone levels.   The recycling numbers on the bottom of the container will give you a clue as to how dangerous the container can be.

The recycling symbols shown in the chart can be found on the bottom of your container - below we have listed each and provided a brief description.

The safest choices are #2, #4 and #5

• #2, HDPE, a usually opaque plastic used for milk jugs, detergent bottles, juice bottles, toiletries and the like.
• #4, LDPE, used for things like plastic bags, food storage, bread bags, some food wraps, squeezable bottles.
• #5, polypropylene, used for a wide variety of applications such as yogurt cups, medicine bottles, ketchup and syrup bottles, and straws.

Avoid using #3, #6 and #7

•  Plastic #3, or PVC, which is used in some plastic cling wrapping for food contains  material-softening chemicals that leach from PVC and could interfere with the endocrine system.  Make sure not to microwave foods with plastic cling wrap.
• Plastic #1 should only be used once and is typically used for bottled water and plastic “to go” cups at restaurants.  It’s best to use a plastic bottle water container and plastic “to go” cup only once and then throw it away.  Using it over and over can cause chemicals  to leak into beverage.
• Plastic #7 may contain BPA BUT NOT ALL PLASTIC #7 IS BPA! It is a “catch all” category that includes many kinds of plastic that don’t fit the classifications of the other numbers. To play it safe I would avoid using #7.
• Plastic #6: this is polystyrene, or Styrofoam, from which disposable containers and packaging are made. You’ll also find it in disposable plates and cups. Evidence is increasingly suggesting that this type of plastic leaches potentially toxic chemicals, especially when heated. I suggest avoiding the use of #6 plastic as much as possible.

There are studies that show microwaving food in any plastic container may cause a toxic release of chemicals into the food. I suggest using glass - it is cleaner than plastic and has a non-porous surface that doesn't absorb food and germs.  Scientist no longer ask if toxics migrate from plastic containers into food but now ask how much.  Theses toxins can be absorbed into our body and effect thyroid function, hormone levels and may be a trigger for migraines.

Check your plastic and make sure you know what you are putting in your body - it might be more than what you bargained for!!

Happy New Year Friends!!!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for more ideas and tips on healthy living and alternative healing options!!  

Missy Briggeman

Empowering Patients · Educating Minds · Healing Bodies

701 W. Queens St. Suite 100

Broken Arrow, OK 74012

918-994-4810

918-994-4816 Fax