George Tritsch, a former researcher at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York stated in response to these claims that, "...if the human digestive system destroyed all proteins, people would not have food allergies and many oral vaccines would not work. Complete destruction of the growth hormone in the stomach is not certain."

It is also worth noting that the E.U. has banned importation of any beef from America since 1995 because of the nation's use of hormones in beef production.

How can you avoid artificial hormones?

To start, most independently run family farms do not use artificial growth hormones on their livestock. If you buy your dairy and meat products from your local farmer's market you can ask the farmer or someone from his establishment how he raises his cows.

If you shop at a supermarket, look for the "USDA-certified organic" label. Foods that have that sticker may not contain any artificial hormones. Be sure it says USDA, however, because many food companies are trying to capitalize on the recent public interest in healthful eating. Do not be fooled by labels like, "Natural" or "Fresh." Look for the seal from the government to be sure that the farm has been reviewed by the Department of Agriculture.

Alternatively, you could start purchasing rice, almond, soy or hemp milk. All of these options are more sustainable than dairy farm production and there is no worry about growth hormones and antibiotics in production. They are lower in cholesterol and fat than dairy milk and can supply you with comparable amounts of vitamin D and calcium. The pricing structure is similar or even less than, that of dairy milk. Plus, they come in great tasting flavors like, chocolate, vanilla and almond.