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Men whose moms scarfed beef during pregnancy are at significant risk of developing fertility problems, a new study shows. As the Los Angeles Times reports, these sons of steak have a sperm count about 25 percent below normal and are three times more likely to seek out fertility doctors when they plan their own families.
But don’t hurl that brisket across the room in disgust just yet: The researchers speculate that the issue is not cow meat itself, but the anabolic steroids that U.S. farmers use to fatten cattle. Those, or the pesticides and other pollutants that routinely show up in conventional meat.
Doctors say that if the hormones are the culprit, daughters of beef eaters could be at increased risk for polycystic ovarian syndrome, which can also cause fertility problems (not to mention no-fun symptoms like acne, weight gain, and sugar cravings) if left untreated.
Of course, the study needs to be confirmed by further research; I, for one, plan to stock up on rump roasts from my friendly local farmer until further notice.
The baby boomers and before didn't have all the hormones and antibiotics that are in the foods now. It's just been the last 10 years that our food has really got messed with.
I think that being conscious about food decisions during and after pregnancy are important, but I have to comment on the fact that if we're going to be that paranoid, we better start farming for ourselves.
No store-bought items, beef that comes from a cow that only we raised, milk that comes from a cow that only we raised, etc.
Women have been eating beef while pregnant since the beginning...+READ
I think that being conscious about food decisions during and after pregnancy are important, but I have to comment on the fact that if we're going to be that paranoid, we better start farming for ourselves.
No store-bought items, beef that comes from a cow that only we raised, milk that comes from a cow that only we raised, etc.
Women have been eating beef while pregnant since the beginning of time. If this were the case, the baby boomers wouldn't be here, and neither would their children.
This is part of the problem as far as nutrition while pregnant. Women aren't eating well enough while pregnant because everyone has them too scared!-COLLAPSE
That is such a great point. In theory I'm conscious of the the extra dough it takes to buy organic. Also, it's not just cash, but access - lots of low-income neighborhoods simply do not offer organic food, and there are many folks in them who can't travel to get a better kind of beef (or whatever).
Laying off the burgers, in particular, is a good idea given that it's the form of beef most...+READ
That is such a great point. In theory I'm conscious of the the extra dough it takes to buy organic. Also, it's not just cash, but access - lots of low-income neighborhoods simply do not offer organic food, and there are many folks in them who can't travel to get a better kind of beef (or whatever).
Laying off the burgers, in particular, is a good idea given that it's the form of beef most likely to harbor Bovine Encephalitis (i.e., Mad Cow).
But that sure didn't come through in my post, so thanks for piping up! :)-COLLAPSE
I don't disagree with Mawrter, but I think this is really a good tip for people who might not have the cash to spring for all the organic food they'd ideally buy -- pregnancy (and during lactation for that matter) is an important time to be as careful as possible with what you're putting into your body.
Personally, when I was pg, I was too freaked about Mad Cow to even consider beef from an unknown source. I switched to all organic and usually from a known farmer's market farmer then.
I think the recommendation of avoiding factory-farmed meat is well taken for EVERYONE, expecting or not.
Good thing I had a girl, then. Went from vegetarian to daily beef eater when preggie with her....