Hormone Harmony... or are hormones harming me?

[Guest guest]

Hormone Harmony... or are hormones harming me?

 

By: Susan Booth

http://www.azurestandard.com/articles/Archive/HormoneHarmony.cfm

 

The problem of unbalanced hormones in us and in our environment goes

beyond jokes about PMS and menopause. Not only is this a problem

that affects women's health, it affects men's health, children's

health, and even fish and animals.

 

 

The Fate of Birds, Fish, & Animals

 

Would it surprise you to learn that after a pesticide spill in

Florida's Lake Apopka in 1980, baby alligators became deformed in

such a way as to render them incapable of reproducing? -- the number

of young alligators was reduced by 90%.(1)

 

What about birds exposed to " Xenobiotics " (estrogen promoting

chemicals) having such abnormalities as clubbed feet, crossed bills,

a surplus of females, feminization of male reproductive tracts,

etc.? (2)

 

Or would you think it strange that fathead minnows down-stream from

a cattle feedlot (where the cattle are fed and injected with

hormones) produced less testosterone than males upstream - resulting

in smaller heads and other deformities?(2)

 

If fish and animals are being so affected by hormones and hormone-

altering chemicals in their environment, what's happening with

humans who take estrogen-like hormones by prescription in addition

to living in a polluted environment?

 

 

PMS, Menopause, and Breast Cancer

 

Do you think it could ever be possible for women to breeze through

life without PMS, and a diffucult transition through menopause? It's

not only possible, but is actually the case in some less

industrialized countries.

 

It appears that " modern, " industrial countries actually show the

biggest hormone-related problems, while in more agrarian cultures

menopause complaints are minor or unknown.

 

(3) There is something in the environment of the U.S. (and other

western industrial countries) causing an epidemic of hormone-related

problems and diseases - especially breast cancer. (13)

 

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) has been the boon of modern

medicine since the early 1940's when drug makers were mass-producing

estrogen from pregnant mare's urine (hence the name Premarin) (4).

 

With the promise of menopause symptoms being eased and strong bones

in old age, synthetic estrogen had been prescribed for millions of

women (13 million American women at last count (4) -- that's 45

million prescriptions in 2001 for Premarin and an additional 22

million prescriptions for Prempro which consists of the same drug

with a progestin chaser (4)). Hormone Replacement Therapy was seen

as the perfect solution to women's problems. This is changing,

however, since a recent study (involving Prempro) was halted in the

middle because it became obvious that the estrogen supplements raise

the risk of heart attack, stroke, blood clots, and breast cancer.

(4)

 

Birth control pills are often prescribed for young girls, not

necessarily to prevent pregnancy, but to " balance " hormones that

cause difficult menstrual periods.

 

Consider the impact of so many women (of all ages) being on hormone

therapy in this country. What about hormone toxicity in groundwater,

lakes and streams? [EPA scientists examining the sludge from a U.S.

sewage treatment plant 20 years ago found that the incoming sewage

contained excreted aspirin, caffeine, and nicotine.

 

At about the same time, the cholesterol-lowering drug clofibric acid

turned up in a groundwater reservoir being used by the Phoenix, AZ

area. (5)

 

This means other drugs, and hormones could make it into the

groundwater as well. Traces of drugs are sometimes even making it

all the way into tap water. (5)]

 

 

Synthetic & Genetically Engineered Hormones

 

We were created with a very complex hormone/chemical balance in our

bodies. Now, pollutants and " medicines " have caused an imbalance of

natural hormones.

 

Add to the complications synthetic hormones, and genetically

engineered hormones! No kidding... Monsanto is involved in the

hormone industry, too. (rBGH, a genetically modified bovine growth

hormone for use in the meat industry, is sold under the trade

name " Posilac " by the Monsanto Corporation. (6))

 

Synthetic hormones are hormones that have been changed on the

molecular level in order to be patented. Once patented, a company

can make more money...

 

The manufacturer claims that the changes in molecular structure

don't have an effect on humans. But how can they not? (14)

 

A synthetic drug is man-made and usually not found in nature by

itself. In the late 1800's laws were passed in the United States

that allowed medicines to be patented only if they were not natural

substances.

 

If a drug company discovered a naturally occurring medicine, anyone

else was free to capitalize on the discovery. So, of course, drug

companies became disinterested in naturally occuring medicines.

 

Now, when a plant with medicinal value is discovered, the " active

ingredient " is isolated and transformed. This new molecule can be

patented. But, this transformation almost always causes side

effects, whereas plant medicines, used properly, rarely have harmful

side effects.(14)

 

Genetically engineered hormones* (such as rBST (used in the

production of non-organic milk in this country) are manufactured by

splicing a gene responsible for making BST with the bacteria E.

Coli. (7) Proponents of rBST say this is okay because " the

manufacturing process does not involve the release of any altered

bacteria into the environment. " (7). And they say that since rBST

is " virtually the same " as naturally occurring BST, cows will not be

adversely affected by it. (7)

 

However, even if this were the case, other factors must be

considered with it's use. Cows treated with hormones have increased

mastitis (inflammation/infection of the udder) and therefore, there

is more pus in the milk. (6 &

 

These cows then require more medications and antibiotics. They also

have more hoof, knee and leg disorders, and have increased

reproductive disorders including an increased risk of deformed

calves. ( (All this to increase milk production in a depressed milk

market where prices have been so low there are hardly enough funds

to cover the cost of production. Wisconsin alone loses 3-4 dairy

farms a day! ()

 

And there is a risk to humans too. rBGH treated cows show an

elevated level of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) in their

milk.

 

Studies have suggested that IGF-1 promotes tumor growth. ( (In light

of this, drinking organic milk becomes very important because

certified organic milk comes from cows that have not been given

hormones.)

 

And it's not just dairy cows that are given hormones. Cattle grown

for meat are injected with hormone pellets in their ears, as well as

given hormones in their feed -- livestock producers treat 80% of all

feedlot cattle with steroid hormones.(1) This makes farmers get more

meat for less feed... and the benefit touted for consumers? Cheaper

meat prices. That's it.

 

The story doesn't end there. The use of beef hormone implants are

illegal in the European Union (11) In 1989 Europe banned the

importation of U.S. and Canadian beef produced with growth hormones.

 

(11) Europe sees the use of hormones in the production of meat as a

health hazard. (9 & 10) Yet the FDA encourages it's use here in

America. Through the school lunch program, millions of children are

fed milk and beef from hormone-laden cows. This despite the fact

that prepubertal boys are the segment of the population most

sensative to estrogens (12),

 

and young girls are having abnormally early onset of puberty.

(Pediatricians say the onset of menstruation has steadily gotten

earlier in recent decades. The average age for a first period is now

12 1/2. In 1900 the average age was 14. (10)

 

" ...at least three of the most commonly used beef hormones appear on

state and federal lists as `known' carcinogens. The FDA and the USDA

insist, however, that these beef hormones are totally safe, and that

consequently hormone-tainted beef need not be labeled. " (11) They

argue that use of hormones doesn't change the nutritional quality of

the milk... fat, protein, carbohydrate, and water ratios remain the

same.

 

(7) The only sure way to stay away from meat and milk from hormone-

treated cattle is to buy certified organic meat, poultry, and dairy

products (including eggs.) (Certified organic producers are

prohibited from using growth hormones in cattle or other animals).

Some non-organic products are certified hormone free and say so.

 

Hormonal Harmony

Getting hormones back to normal/natural levels may require more than

merely staying away from hormones in meat, and getting off synthetic

prescription hormones. Some foods have highly estrogenic effects

(such as soybeans and wheat germ (9)), and many chemicals have

estrogen-like effects.

 

Since hormones are stored in fat, those who are overweight may be

estrogen-dominant (15). And when hormones get off-balance, you may

become progesterone-deficient.

 

(Progesterone is the hormone your body uses to make whatever hormone

it needs - even testosterone and cortisol. (15)) If you have a

hormone imbalance, natural progesterone (not the synthetic drug) may

benefit you.

 

I encourage you to study hormones and natural help for off-balance

hormones further. It's important.

 

~ by Susan Booth, Publishing Director

 

* Some hormones made for use by humans are also genetically

engineered - for example human insulin for diabetics. (7)

 

 

References

(1) Science News, January 5, 2002 " Hormones: Here's the Beef:

Environmental concerns reemerge over steroids given to livestock. "

(2) What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause, by Dr. John

Lee. p. 55

(3) What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause, by Dr. John

Lee. p. 46

(4) Newsweek, July 22, 2002 " The End of the Age of Estrogen " by

Geoffrey Cowley & Karen Springer.

(5) " Study says Prescription Meds Polluting Waters " Factory Farm &

Medical Drugs End Up in Sewage Sludge, Surface Waters, & Drinking

Water. Sources: http://www.healthmall.com/newsletter.cfm?

type=article & id=944 & a and http://www.organicconsumers.org/

toxic/drugsinwater.cfm

(6) The Facts about Bovine Growth Hormone www.organicvalley.com

(7) " Milk Safety and the Use of BST in the Dairy Industry " by Roger

A. Cady and Val Hillers http://www.inform.umd.edu/EdRes/

Topic/AgrEnv/ndd/safefood/MILK_SAFETY (a pro-hormone article)

( " rBGH " http://www.factoryfarm.org/rbgh.html (A good source for

more information on hormones in milk).

(9) " U.S., Europe Lock Horns in Beef Hormone Debate " Friday, April

9, 1999 " Food: As trade war looms, Washington and ranchers call

treatments safe; EU says public health is at stake. " by Paul Jacobs,

LA Times Staff Writer.

http://organicconsumers.org/Toxic/beefhormone.cfm

(10) " Beef Hormones Linked to Premature Onset of Puberty & Breast

Cancer " by Dennis Bueckert/The Canadian Press

http://www.organicconsumers.org/

Toxic/hormonecancer.cfm

(11) " Beef Hormones, Irradiation, & Mad Deer: America's Food Safety

Crisis Continues " 04 June 1999 Exert from the Campaign for Food

Safety News #19, by Ronnie Cummins & Ben Lilliston http://www.global-

reality.com/biotech/

articles/news041.4htm

(12) " Hormones and Meat " by Jan R. Busboom and Karen P. Penner

http://inform.umd.edu/EdRes/Topic/

AgrEnv/ndd/safefood/HORMONES_AND_MEAT (a pro-hormone article)

(13) " Why America Has a Breast Cancer Epidemic " Rachel's Environment

& Health News #723 April 26, 2001 http://organicconsumers.org/toxic/

breastcancerbook.cfm

(14) What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause, by Dr. John

Lee. p. 82-84

(15) What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause, by Dr. John

Lee. p. 118, 212, 294

(16) What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause, by Dr. John

Lee. p. 67-68Soerum .0Fa

 

 

" Many synthetic drugs are made patentable simply by changing a few

atoms of the natural substance. This may sound harmless enough, but

the addition or subtraction of a few atoms of a molecule can make a

big difference in their effects on the body. This holds especially

true with hormones. Tiny amounts can create major effects on the

body. For example, the molecular difference between testosterone and

estradiol (a form of estrogen) is one hydrogen atom and a couple of

double bonds. Amazing! Adding or subtracting one hydrogen atom at a

specific place on a molecule can make the difference between a man

and a woman!

" Now compare that exquisite level of biochemical specificity to what

a pharmaceutical company does to a perfectly good natural hormone -

they add whole chains of molecules! They do this not to make a

better drug, but to make one that behaves similarly yet is different

enough to be patentable. " (14)

 

Important information on PMS, Premenopause, and other women's

issues.

Now, in this expanded and completely updated edition, Dr. John R.

Lee brings you lifesaving facts that even your doctor may not know

about Premarin, Provera, and other HRT drugs; gives you an easy-to-

follow nonprescription " Hormone Balance " program; and tells you how

to stay energized, strong, sexually vigorous, and free from " female

problems " before menopause, during the menopausal years, and beyond.

 

BK005 What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause, by Dr. John

Lee Reg. 12.00

 

 

Presents a revolutionary nonprescription solution for premenopause

syndrome. This program safely balances your hormones, restores

gynecological health, energy and sex drive.

 

BK188 What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause, by Dr.

John Lee Reg. 12.00

 

 

 

If current trends continue, within 5 to 8 years most of the foods we

eat could be genetically engineered. Multinational corporations want

us to believe that this food is safe, nutritious, and thoroughly

tested. Critics argue that governments are sacrificing environmental

and health safeguards in favor of commercial interests.

 

This book aims to clarify some of the key issues that concern people

about genetic engineering, and to answer common questions. The book

is a quick read, but not simplistic, a reliable introduction to a

subject that will be one of the most important social, political and

ethical issues of the next decade.

 

BK239 Genetic Engineering, Food, & Our Environment, Reg. 6.70

 

" Lifelong exposure to high residues of natural and synthetic sex

hormones in meat products poses serious risks of breast and

reproductive cancer, which have sharply increased in the US since

1950. Hormone residues are also suspected to be causal factors in

premature sexual development in young girls " (11) a factor in the

development of breast cancer later in life. (13)

 

" From progesterone are derived not only the other sex hormones,

including estrogens, but also the corticosteroids, which are

essential for stress response, sugar and electrolyte balance, and

blood pressure, not to mention survival. With progesterone as a

precursor to so many other hormones, it's easy to see why

progesterone deficiency can cause such a wide range of problems. "

(16)

 

 

About the Author:

 

Susan Booth is the publishing director here at Azure - coordinating

the content of the website, catalogs, sale flyers, and informative

publications. With a deep interest in good health, she's an avid

reader who seeks out the truth and is eager to share it.

_________________

JoAnn Guest

mrsjoguest

DietaryTipsForHBP

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest