Organic Dairy Products May Protect You

by Annie B. Bond

In 1993, the FDA approved the use of a product called recombinant bovine  somatotrophin (rbST) to increase milk production in dairy cows.  Should you  avoid milk from cows that have been given this hormone?

The authors of “Raising Healthy Children in a Toxic World” are experts in  pediatric medicine, and for this reason have an interesting perspective. Here is  what they say:

“This additive increases the level of the hormone IGF-1 in milk. A natural  and necessary hormone, IGF-1 has also been linked to a number of types of  cancer:  breast cancer, osteogenic sarcoma (the most common bone cancer in  children), colon cancer, and lung cancer.  Although research is in its early  stages, prudent avoidance indicates that you should avoid serving your children  milk and milk products from cows treated with rbST.  Instead, buy milk and milk  products that are certified organic because organic dairy farmers can’t treat  their cows with rbST.  If your local grocery store doesn’t stock organic milk,  ask them to do so.

Adapted from Raising Healthy Children in a Toxic World, by Philip  J.  Landrigan, M.D., Herbert L. Needleman, M.D., and Mary Landrigan, M.P.A.  Copyright (c) 2001 by Philip  J. Landrigan, M.D., Herbert L. Needleman, M.D.,  and Mary Landrigan, M.P.A.. Reprinted by permission of Rodale Organic Living  Books, 2001. Adapted from Raising Healthy Children in a Toxic World, by Philip  J. Landrigan, M.D., Herbert L. Needleman, M.D., and Mary Landrigan,  M.P.A. (Rodale Organic Living Books, 2001).