This is only a comment..."MUMBO JUMBO" Organic foods are

better for the human body. not everything humans eat has to be organic. I believe having a garden that I take care of and grow foods that I will be eating,is one of the best choices I've ever made. like a hunter that consumes his kill...when a person feels good about what they eat, the food can have an even more positive effect to the human body.

This is only a "COMMENT"...MUMBO JUMBO! clean,healthy organic foods are better for the human body.not all foods need to be organic . caring for a garden and growing foods that are healthy and not handled by too many humans is the way to go. when a person feels good about what they eat, the food can have an even more positive affect.

That's odd. Why do enzymes and acids in the stomach destroy bovine hormones, but they do not destroy hormones in birth control pills, and hormone supplements? And if I take hormones in the form or birth control or supplements, the label says not nurse a baby because the hormones can pass into the milk--which would indicate that was not an optimal happenstance. What is supposedly special about bovine hormones that makes them break down in the stomach? I am guessing nothing. I think they most likely pass into the cow's milk and then into our bodies when we consume it, just like a nursing baby would get its mother's birth control hormones. I prefer organic. Thanks!

@ Miki

Hormones are chemicals that are produced naturally in the bodies of all animals, including humans. They are chemical messages released into the blood by hormone-producing organs that travel to and affect different parts of the body. Hormones may be produced in small amounts, but they control important body functions such as growth, development and reproduction.

Hormones can have different chemistry. They can be steroids or proteins. Steroid hormones are active in the body when eaten. For example, birth control pills are steroid hormones and can be taken orally. In contrast, protein hormones are broken down in the stomach, and lose their ability to act in the body when eaten. Therefore, ordinarily, protein hormones need to be injected into the body to have an effect. For example, insulin is a protein hormone. Diabetic patients need to be injected with insulin for treatment.

A little investigating for facts before you comment can really make you sound less of an unintelligent person o.0

This article raises some good points. We shouldn't take the organic label as the be-all and end-all of a healthy product. BUT I'd like to point out the glossed-over importance in this article of the no antibiotics rule for organic dairy. For me, this is reason enough to spend the extra (and often not that much more) money on organic dairy. Check out any number of books published on the subject or read articles from the scholarly community. The overuse of antibiotics is a huge problem, especially in the small doses they feed livestock (despite what might intuitively make sense. It's a problem for the same reason your doctor tells you to take ALL of the prescribed antibiotics).

For me, this reason for buying organic is in addition to the other environmental benefits (and possible health benefits); and keep in mind, polluting the world will, either now or later, pollute ourselves.

Hi!

I recently researched and worked on a risk assessment project for human health and ecological risks associated with industrial releases into the air, water, and soil and we used EPA protocols. I can assure you that there are some persistent chemicals that are fat soluble and hence remain in our body fat, very hard to get them out of the body unlike the water soluble ones which can be flushed out from our bodies, these chemicals are not only persistent but are bioaccumulative, which means they can pass on from one organism to another and can accumulate in our bodies with time and some of them are biomagnified (which means their concentration increases in higher organisms due to the increased diet of the organism/species). Even though the concentration may be within the threshold limits of consumption these chemicals can persist in our bodies and bioaccumulate with time and hence increase our risks of cancer and various hormone related imbalances (also these standard thresholds are not standards for sensitive populations but for the general population - some people with a genetic affinity for cancer, hormone imbalances etc may be more susceptible to concentrations even lower than the thresholds established by government agencies). I think organic practices should be encouraged and I wish to see the day when organics become a way of life and not just a choice people have - affordable to the poor since this will definately reap health benefits and save us a lot of tax dollars that go towards healthcare which will offset all operating costs. Artificial hormones, antibiotics, pesticides etc., which are afterall something that our bodies do not produce naturally and hence do not actually require can never be justified however less their concentrations in our bodies because, however, much research may say otherwise this research is usually sponsored by the very companies or organizations that actually manufacture these hormones, antibiotics, pesticides etc. and hence profit from their use. Research can always and has always been tainted by these multibillion organizations that only care to fill their pockets and do not really care about the ordinary human being - after all people who do research need to feed their families and themselves and hence cater to the demands of these companies since research monies are dictated by these industries and companies. Sometimes government organizations are also put under immense pressure to establish rules and regulations that cater to the greedy corporate money mongers who dominate the bulk businesses (we can see how the goverment bailed out wallstreet without consideration to taxpayers). Please encourage organic habits as these habits are not only good for our health but also for our children's and animals health as they keep our waters cleaner, soils unpolluted and air free of toxins and maintain our ecological diversity and balance. People who come out with such articles do not consider the long term implications of their actions on our planet earth and try to brainwash people.

Very suspicious research -- these comments don't come from a researcher or a scientist, but a dietitian who is paid by the American Institute for Cancer Research. The AICR seems to be a phony front organization for chemical manufacturers and other polluters. By blabbing about diet and exercise, the AICR shift the focus away from the chemicals they're dumping into our air, our water and our bodies. Charity Navigator gives them a very low 1 star (out of 4 star) rating. AICR should be exposed as the lying PR group that they are, and banned from all fundraising.

Benefits of organic milk that I value were not mentioned in this article. Organically grown feed and bedding expose workers and our soil and water to no artificial pesticides. Cows given rBst suffer significantly more mastitis. Cows kept indoors suffer more lameness. I value the environment, worker health, and humane treatment of animals.

>Research shows high blood levels of IGF are linked with overweight, lack of exercise, and diets too high in saturated fat, refined carbohydrates or total calories.

So, the question is, could it _cause— “overweight, lack of exercise, and a craving for diets too high in saturated fat, refined carbohydrates or total calories.”

>A third requirement of organic milk is that cows’ feed is grown without pesticides, whether the feed is grass or grain. Recent USDA reports show that nonorganic milk may contain low levels of certain pesticides, but these are far below established tolerance levels. Using organic feed may support sustainable farming practices, yet research has not found it affects the nutritional value of the cows’ milk.

Could you please re-phrase this? As written I read it as a way of saying that having even large amounts of pesticide in your milk does not reduce the number calories and vitamins.

Of course not, but how much pesticide in our food worries the USDA? I assume that ALL food allowed to be sold in the USA already meets that. So if you trust the USDA you would never buy organic anything. Many of us want to have much less pesticide in our food. None would be a nice goal.

I assume that I misunderstood and if you just rephrase, it would be OK. If not rephrased, that one sentence pretty much makes the whole article go from interesting to useless. People who think organic might be worth it, are already of ‘experts’ assuring us that pesticides, cigarettes, pollution, X-rays, full body scanners and so on are just fine. Some ‘experts’ say, “What is all the fuss about?”

Please do not be mistaken for one of them. Thanks for your efforts.

Of course organic milk is healthier. There's a huge difference in the taste too. It tastes much fresher and it's very creamy!

Perhaps.  But organic milk does, in fact, taste so much better - like when I was a kid (I'm 64 now).  There must be a reason for that.

Very thoughtful and balanced analysis. "Organic" foods are highly overrated, and generally will help yuppies part with their excess cash, frequently in an attempt to give their kids the best. I cannot think of an organic product that I would buy. My Ph.D. is in chemistry and I have been around the dairy and nutritional products industries for many years.

"Natural" comes pretty close. Natural is not always good and "manufactured" is not always less good. Aflotoxin from peanuts is "natural". Rhubarb leaves contain oxalic acid, a pretty toxic substance. It goes on and on.

This article's analysis is a breath of fresh air.

Jack

Jack, yuppies don't buy organic, they eat the "fine cuts of meat" that were secretly glued together with enzymes. AKA Meat Glue…

Welcome to big ag. No difference in Organics? How much are you paid to say that? You should be ashamed of yourself. Natural foods, please, don't insult our intelligence. Nothing is "natural" about them. Same pesticides, same herbicides and hormones. How do they sleep at night?

Anyway, the rBST issue is a perfect example where big ag was caught red handed bribing and buying government officials, suppressing public research, and threatening the press to stop the truth about the ill effects of a big money maker. Did you hear it in the news? No you didn't.Google "rBGH Coverup"

And please don't believe the "scientific" claims that all of the hormone is destroyed in the process of digestion. Earlier this year, a study out of canada proved that high levels of the hormone were found in the bloodstream of not only pregnant women, but the unborn fetus. Profound jaw dropping news. Did you hear about it in mainstream media? Nope. Google "GMO Fetus study" or "rbst boobs"

The organic valley website cites The Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research which states that "Cows treated with rBST face a nearly 25% increase in the risk of clinical mastitis, a 40% reduction in fertility, and 55% increase risk of lameness" You don't even need to buy organic to get rBST (aka rBGH) out of your milk, just look for the "From cows not treated..." label. Then petition for gmo labeling, because you'll want to know when you understand the potential risks.

But I always say to each his own, go ahead, drink your caustic hormone cancer linked pus milk. I'll pay my farmer more and keep my health, you pay your doctor more and keep his kids in college.

Perhaps the added advantage for people is it tastes better. Perhaps another added advantage is the opportunity to support a business they agree with, in this case, small family farming. Reportedly demand is outpacing supply. Couldn't we just be thrilled small family traditional farmers have a demand to supply? A reason to milk at 4am? A chance to support their families and a lifestyle they love through an honest means. Do we really need to declare the demand is irrational?

NO! Milk Comes From Grieving Mothers - The Truth About Organic Dairy
youtube.com/watch?v=_kM387cI4rk