Hormones and Milk: Debunking Three Common Myths
Misperceptions related to hormones and cow’s milk have led to consumer concerns and questions about milk’s safety and healthfulness. Below are three common myths about hormones and cow’s milk and scientific facts dispelling these myths.
Myth: Organic cow’s milk, unlike conventionally produced cow’s milk, is free of hormones.
Fact: Both plant and animal foods contain hormones. All cow’s milk, organic and conventionally produced, naturally contains miniscule amounts of protein hormones, which are broken down by digestion causing them to be biologically inactive in humans. There is no evidence that the hormones in cow’s milk are harmful to human health.
Myth: Milk from cows treated with the synthetic protein hormone, recombinant bovine growth hormone (rbGH), has higher levels of bovine growth hormone (bGH) than milk from untreated cows.
Fact: There is no difference in bGH levels in milk from rbGH-treated or untreated cows. Some dairy farmers may treat their cows with this U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved, safe, synthetic hormone to increase milk production in their cows. In response to consumers’ requests, Michigan dairy farmers do not use rbGH. This synthetic hormone is not added directly to milk and the composition of milk from rbGH-treated and untreated cows is the same. Also, these hormones are specific to cows and have no effect on the human body.
Based on a review of the scientific evidence, the FDA has concluded that milk from cows treated with rbGH is safe for human consumption. In addition, the safety of milk from cows treated with this hormone has been verified by numerous national and international government and health organizations such as the National Institutes of Health, the World Health Organization, and the American Medical Association. After 20 years of use, no evidence exists to support health concerns related to consuming milk from cows treated with rbGH, according to a review of the science.
Related: Do you know your Milk? Your choice makes a difference
Myth: Hormones in cow’s milk cause early puberty.
Fact.: There is no conclusive evidence to support the suggestion that the minute amounts of hormones naturally present in cow’s milk cause early puberty. While some observational studies indicate a trend toward earlier puberty in recent decades, this trend and the long-term effects of early puberty remain controversial.
Several factors such as overweight/body fat, better nutrition, and ethnicity may contribute to an earlier age at puberty. Findings from a study of more than 5,500 U.S. girls ages 9 to 14 years followed for five years led the researchers to conclude “regular consumption of milk in girls aged ≥ 9 y is unlikely to substantially affect age at onset of menarche [the first occurrence of menstruation].”
An observation arguing against the milk-early puberty belief is that children’s milk consumption has decreased in recent decades during which time age of puberty has been decreasing. Consuming recommended servings of milk and other dairy foods (cheese, yogurt) each day is important for bone health, especially in children and adolescents.
Bottom Line. Scientific findings continue to demonstrate the safety and health benefits of cow’s milk for children and adults.
Hi there! Whats your take on the Estrogen content of milk? I live in the UK and have become worried by this. Recently switched over to skimmed milk! Although i have heard the progresterone outweighs any estrogen and also the estrogen content is miniscule?
Thanks 🙂
Estogen is a hormone and hormones are broken down into protein by our digestive systems. So any incidental hormones in milk are NOT hormones in our bodies. No need for concern:)
Hi Steven,
I’m not sure what Milk Means More is saying… Estrogen is a steroid, and it is not “converted to protein”. Also, our digestive system does not brake hormones “into protein”. Those hormones that are proteins are broken down into amino acids. Steroids are directly absorbed by the digestive system. Since steroids are fat soluble, I’d expect skim milk to have lower levels of steroids. I’m sure someone has looked into this. BTW, I teach human physiology at the college level. Be well.
One thing I would add is that when you are put on hormone replacement therapy, if it’s in the form of a pill you take orally, the dose must be higher than what you need because it gets BROKEN DOWN by the liver.
Also, even plants have estrogen like properties. We have to eat something.
Moderation is key.
Plus, we need a healthy liver, exercise and regular bowel movements to continuously clear the estrogens our own body makes.
So there are multiple factors here.
The hormones in milk are filtered out by our liver and kidneys an are not absorbed by our bodies just like the hormones in plants are also filtered out, try looking up the levels òf estrogen in some plants compared to dairy an you’re find they are a lot higher levels!