Oxytocin: A Poison in our milk

Oxytocin: A Poison in our milk

 

Oxytocin is a hormone released by the anterior pituitary gland, both in animals and human beings. It travels through the blood in the body to the site of action from the site of release. This hormone is crucial for milking. It causes contraction of alveoli muscle cells surrounding the milk-producing cells.

 

Harmful effects of Oxytocin 

Dairy farmers have been using Oxytocin in animals to get more milk. But they are unaware of the detrimental effects on animals. Even after the ban by the government, the hormonal injections are easily available in the black market. The use of Oxytocin causes the uterus of cattle to contract, which causes immense pain. 

The government of India banned Oxytocin under Section 12 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Act, 1960. It prohibits the “introducing (of) any substance into the female organ of a milch animal with the object of drawing off from the animal any secretion of milk.”

 

Not only this drug causes immense pain and infertility, but also it reduces the lifespan of the animal. 

 

It causes harmful effects to humans also who consume milk obtained from animals subjected to Oxytocin injection-

 


Hormonal Imbalance- Medical experts suggest that consuming Oxytocin drugged dairy products can cause hormonal imbalance in humans. Boys may suffer to Gynecomastia (breast enlargement). And in girls, the age of menarche has drastically decreased from 16 to 10 years of age.

Children are highly vulnerable to this drug. It causes hearing imbalance and weak eyesight. Common symptoms after consuming excessive Oxytocin are exhaustion and loss of energy. The use of such milk may cause abortion to pregnant women and babies might born with deformities and low immunity levels.

Haemorrhage- The use of milk subjected to Oxytocin increases the risk of haemorrhage in mothers after giving birth. It critically affects the growth of hormones in young girls as they attain early puberty. Some women may be hypersensitive to Oxytocin, and it can impede breastfeeding.