Got Hormones?

While good old cow’s milk may be good for us – there are some varieties on the market we should be avoiding... 

According to Suzanne Havala Hobbs, author of “Living Dairy-Free for Dummies,” cow’s milk sold in the U.S. is often produced from cows injected with the synthetic hormone rBGH. Cow’s injected with that hormone produce more milk – but there could be a significant down-side. Hobbs says that hormone may be linked to cancer and antibiotic resistance in humans – and has already been banned in Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the European Union. 

Although it is not banned here, several companies, including General Mills - in their Yoplait yogurt products - as well as Wal-Mart's house brands don't use dairy products containing rBGH.

Unfortunately, it’s hard to tell which milk has the hormone here. Dr. Hobbs says our best bet is to buy organic milk or to look for phrases on the labeling such as “no artificial hormones.”