While the age of menarch has not changed, the use of synthetic bovine growth
hormones(rBGH) in cow's milk is a suspected risk for breast and
gastrointestinal cancers, according to Dr. Samuel Epstein( his book, The
Politics of Cancer Revisited,1998). This biotech hormone induces an increase
in levels of insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) in cow's milk. " IGF-1
regulates cell growth, division, and differentiation, particularly in
infants."(The Politics of Cancer, p.600)  Epstein is a professor of
Occupational and Environmental Medicine at the School of Public Health at the
University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago.  In 1989 in a letter to the
FDA he wrote, "the effects of IGF-1 could include premature growth
stimulation in infants,(breast enlargement)in young children and breast
cancer in adult females."

I have read in newspapers and in various publications that young girls(as
young as 2 years) in Puerto Rico during the early 80's were presenting
symptoms of early menarch (breast enlargement, menses, pubi hair).  There was
nothing physically wrong with them.  When the DES-meat and chicken was
removed from the children's diets, these children went back to being little
girls again(boys were also effected).  DES was banned in 1979 in the US but
Puerto Rico was not so restricted. According to Epstein, independent testing
showed that meat products used in Puerto Rico were contaminated 10-fold by
estrogen residues.  In the blood of these children, were elevated levels of
estrogen and the synthetic Zeranol(hormone anabolic).  Although the meat
industry no longer uses DES, it has switched to the natural sex hormones,
which unlike DES is undetectable.

European consumers have rejected US meat and milk due to the many studies
that question the safety of ingesting such items.    Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html