Like many non-organic meat dishes, fast-food hamburgers may contain a variety of hormones. These hormones are largely used on beef cows and livestock to make them grow faster, resulting in a higher rate of return for farming companies. Unfortunately for consumers, the growth hormones used in the raising of livestock often remain in the meat after slaughter, resulting in hamburgers that can negatively impact your hormones.
Hormones in Conventional Meat
Conventionally raised livestock are given a variety of antibiotics and growth hormones. Due to limited government regulation, beef cows are often administered a variety of harmful substances, including steroids, pesticides, antibiotics, animal byproducts and growth hormones. While few studies have been performed on the specific impact of these substances on the general public, some practitioners advise women with hormone imbalances to avoid fast food.
Meat in Fast Food
Despite the questionable quality of the meat, fast-food companies are often rigorous in checking for bacteria and dangerous pathogens in the meat they serve. According to “USA Today,” some fast-food chains test their ground beef between five to 10 times more often than the USDA tests its standard meat products. Unfortunately, meat inspection regulations do not require hormone content to be taken into account when determining the safety of meat products for the general public. As a result, the only way to ensure that you are not receiving growth hormones in your meat is to purchase hamburgers that have been made from certified organic farms.
Types of Hormones
Estimates cited by the GRACE Communications Foundation's Sustainable Table website suggest that 32.5 million cattle were slaughtered in 2005 to provide beef for U.S. consumers. Roughly two-thirds of these cattle were injected with six natural and artificial hormones that may pose health risks to humans. These include the naturally occurring hormones progesterone, testosterone and estradiol, and synthetic varieties called zeranol, trenbolone and melegestrol. The European Union’s Scientific Committee on Veterinary Measures Relating to Public Health warns that a number of health conditions may occur from these hormone residues, including developmental problems, hormone imbalances, reproductive issues and cancer in the breast, prostate and colon.
Safety Concern
Aside from the potential drawbacks of hormone residue, fast-food hamburgers are generally high in fat and may elevate your risk of high blood pressure. Keep your fast-food intake to a minimum, and talk to your doctor if you are concerned about the potential side effects of consuming hormones in meat.
References
- Help Guide: Organic Foods
- "USA Today"; Fast-Food Standards For Meat Top Those For School Lunches; Dec. 9, 2009
- USDA; Should I Purchase Organic Food?; Mary Gold; October 2008
- Sustainable Table; Artificial Hormones; 2006
- "Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism"; Hormonal Responses To A Fast-Food Meal Compared With Nutritionally Comparable Meals of Different Composition; May 29, 2007
- Cancer Prevention Coalition; American Beef: Why Is It Banned In Europe?; Samuel Epstein; 2003
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