This is in response to Tribune health and fitness reporter Julie Deardorff’s June 4 column in the Q section, “Twins theory may make you have a cow.”
We are disappointed that the column didn’t clarify that there is no conclusive scientific data to suggest that dairy intake plays any role in multiple birth rates.
The study’s conclusions are speculative at best.
In particular the researcher’s claims regarding insulin-like growth factor in milk are baseless.
Extensive studies over the past 20 years have confirmed that IGF-1 levels in milk from cows supplemented with bovine recombinant growth hormone (rBST) are well within the normal range.
In fact there are absolutely no health concerns associated with rBST–leading national and international health organizations, including the American Medical Association, the National Institutes of Health, the American Dietetic Association and regulatory agencies in 50 countries have affirmed that milk produced from rBST-supplemented cows is safe.
The bottom line is that adults, children and expecting mothers alike can feel good about consuming the recommended three daily servings of dairy foods–with foods such as milk, cheese and yogurt–as part of a nutritious and balanced diet.
