Information About Growth Hormones in Milk

Certified organic is the only way to absolutely ensure (in legal theory) that the cows were not given antibiotics. The problem with antibiotics is that they are using the same ones we are when we're sick. This has caused such an unprecedented acceleration in microbial evolution such as has never been seen on this planet before!

Artificial growth hormones, according to all the money-making authorities, do not change the quality of the milk. However, cows that are given these hormones tend to be sick. They get infections because no cow is supposed to make that much milk. Can you imagine if you were forced to produce 3 times the milk after giving birth? Your nipples would get infected too!

Oakhurst has pledged not to use milk from treated cows. I personally have very high regard for any company who stands up to Monsanto. Non-treated cows are usually healthy. Healthy cows do not need antibiotics. Organic is overpriced because of high regulatory costs. Unfortunately, organic is now big agribusiness.

In terms of vitamins, it is always better to get them from plant sources than from supplemented food products. The whole is always better than the part and will be better utilized by the body.

By the way, as long as a cow can walk (or be kicked) into the slaughter house, it is added to the food supply. This is where the old rBGH cows are going when they can no longer produce. Get to know your local farmers - you and your family will be so much healthier for it!

Hi M. -

Buying organic is the only way that you can guarantee that the milk that your buying has no growth hormones or antibiotics. Organic products are regulated by the USDA. If it doesn't say "organic" you cannot be sure that the no growth hormone claims are valid. Cows do produce their own hormones but not at high levels (not harmful). The reason that farmers use large amounts of artificial growth hormones on cows is to keep the cow's milk supply up. I buy organic when it is available. It is important also to purchase organic meats and other dairy products to avoid these growth hormones and antibiotics. Also, organic produce has no pesticides or insecticides which are sprayed all over non-organic produce. I have found that Stop and Shop "Nature's Promsie" prices for organic are much cheaper than other brands.

M.,
Vitamin D3 is actually very important to the body.(Your body makes vitamin d from being in the sun, but if you are not outside enough- you can absorb it from food.) My sister was just found to be deficient of it. Basically because she lacks vitamin D3 in her body, she can not absorb enough iron to keep her from being anemic. She has to take special pills to be able to absorb the high iron pills that her doctor put her on. I would not cut Vitamin D out of your daughter's diet. This is one vitamin that will actually help her to stay healthy.

Hi M.,

Organic milk is definately the way to go... regular milk has antibiotics and steroids in it even if it says no growth hormones. The best way to get vitamin D3 is from the sun.

Hi M.,
I don't know anything about the hormones in milk beyond what you have written; vitamin D3 is important--it is a "source of energy" vitamin that is supplemented in foods but occurs naturally in the sunlight (however, many sun blocks block out the vitamin, so you have to be careful with that); however, beyond the hormones that you have mentioned, you also need to be careful of unnecessary antibiotics given to the cows who produce milk. One of the various reasons bacteria is becoming resistant to the antibiotics that we use to treat ourselves is all of the antibiotics that are given to the animals that we eat. I do believe that there are milks out there that come from cows that are not given antibiotics--it may be one of the requirements to be certified organic, but I'm not sure.

I have to agree with the others that say that it is always better to go organic.
Even if there are no artificial hormones, there are other things that the cow can be exposed to that can be present in the milk. If the milk is organic, then the cow was fed organic food. If the milk is not organic, who knows what the cow was fed.

Is there any reason your husband doesn't drink organic milk? It only makes sense for everyone in your house to drink it.

I wanted to point out something else. Organic milk has a much longer shelf life (check the dates on the cartons). It can last for a month or more where regular milk might only last a week. I'd rather buy something that will last longer and that I know is more healthy for my family.

I know it's hard these days not to try to save money everywhere, but I'd rather buy everything I can organic and local and spend more to make sure my family is as healthy as they can be.