Hormone Harmony... or are hormones harming me?

[Guest guest]

Hormone Harmony... or are hormones harming me? JoAnn Guest Jun 28, 2005

16:59 PDT

 

 

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

mrsjo-

DietaryTi-

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Genes

 

 

 

 

AIM Barleygreen

" Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

 

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets.html