Happy Cows

I read a great article (Optimum Wellness magazine) that describes the difference between conventional and organic dairy. Following is a synopsis of the article;

In 1993 the FDA approved the use of rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone), which dairy farmers use to increase milk production. The Center for Food Safety reports that additional research has shown that levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IFG-1) are higher in milk from rBGH-treated cows than in milk from cows not treated the synthetic hormone. IFG-1 has been shown to be a factor in the growth of certain cancers, including those of the breast, prostate, and colon.

5 Good Reasons to Choose Organic:

1. We don’t need more hormones. Organic dairy milk must, by definition, be free of rBGH

2. Antibiotics in dairy may contribute to bacterial resistance. Antibiotics are often added to animal feed as a precautionary measure. Organic milk comes from cows that have not been treated with antibiotics; organic dairy products don’t contribute to the growing problem of bacterial resistance, which is the ability of bacteria to withstand or survive the impact of the antibiotics used to destroy them.

3. Pesticides have no place in our food supply. When grain or feed is sprayed with pesticides and then fed to cows, there is a very high likelihood that the pesticides, will end up in the cows’ milk (and meat). Pesticide runoff is a big cause of water pollution nationwide.

4. Organic dairy is higher in conjugated linoleic acid. CLA is a fatty acid that has been shown to have anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties, and may reduce risk of heart disease. Some studies have suggested that CLA may help reduce body fat and increase lean muscle mass.

5. Organic cows have greater access to pasture. Organic cows see the light of day and have access to the outdoors, fresh air, and sunshine.