Milk and Testosterone- Milk does NOT do a body good.
from Jade Teta ND CSCS
Milk is an interesting food. It is seen, almost universally, by the average American as a health food. Those seeking muscle building and fat loss usually have nothing but great things to say about milk. But milk is becoming an increasing issue related to hormones and may be especially troubling for men and boys yet to reach puberty.
An article last month in the journal Pediatric International (February 2010. Vol. 52 #1) showed a disturbing pattern of hormonal disruption induced by milk. The modern dairy cow has been converted to a full time milk factory. It is a little known fact, but genetically improved dairy cattle continue to produce milk throughout their pregnancy. This milk goes directly into the food supply and contains large amounts of bovine estrogen and progesterone that is directly absorbed by consumers.
The researchers of this study wanted to see what impact these hormones were having on men and women so they enlisted seven men, five women, and six pre-pubertal children. The adult male and child participants in the study drank the equivalent of 2 8oz glasses of milk and had their urine and blood tested before drinking the milk and at multiple time points after milk intake. The adult women in the study drank the same amount of milk (2 8oz servings) daily for 21 days beginning on the start of their menses. They were then followed for two more consecutive menstrual cycles to determine if female ovulation was impacted.
The results of the study were striking and worrisome especially for children. The adult male participants had significantly increased blood levels of all female hormones including estrogen and progesterone as well a sharp decline in serum testosterone. All the adults in the study as well as the children had increased levels of estrogen and progesterone and a suppression of their body’s own hormonal regulation of these same hormones.
According to the researchers, the levels of hormones could be especially worrying for children by delaying sexual maturation in young boys and increasing it in young girls. In addition, adults would likely be at increased risk for hormone sensitive cancers including breast and prostate cancer. In addition, the lowered testosterone production seen in this study runs directly counter to the notion that milk helps with body composition.
The alternative medical community has had questions about milk intake for sometime. Milk is no longer processed the same way as it once was. Selective breeding of dairy cattle, the use of drugs and hormones to generate greater milk yield per cow, issues with pasteurization and others have altered the quality of milk and raise questions about how healthy it really is for human consumption. There are many other concerns with modern day milk intake that many are unaware of. These include a link of milk intake to acne, recurrent ear infections in children, possible relation to low thyroid activity, and food allergy and food sensitivity. While many dispute these assertions, there is good and rising evidence to warrant a review of modern day milk consumption in my opinion. Sticking to organic, grass-fed and unprocessed milk where it can be found is likely a far better option for milk intake.
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