January 15, 2014
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While
the beta-agonist drug Zilmax (Zilpaterol) has been used to promote
muscle growth in American-grown cattle since 2007, news of the dramatic
adverse effects of this drug didn't hit mainstream news—and hence public
consciousness—until late last year.
In
early August, 2013, Tyson Food Inc issued a statement saying it would
no longer purchase Zilmax-fed cattle for slaughter due to animal welfare
concerns.
The company had noticed that many of the cows that had been fed the
drug had trouble walking. The cattle also displayed other behavioral
issues.
Since
then, Cargill Inc. has also decided to reject Zilmax-fed cattle until
it is confident that any animal welfare issues associated with the drug
have been resolved.
Merck,
the maker of the drug, initially said it would halt US and Canadian
sales of Zilmax, pending company research and review. It wasn't long
however before Merck announced it had no plans to discontinue the
product,3 saying the company stands behind the safety of the drug.
At
present, Merck does not need approval from the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) to return Zilmax to market, as the FDA has not
taken any action against the drug.
Agricultural drug use has become a major health concern for animals and humans alike, and in my view, organic, grass-fed meat that is humanely raised and butchered is really the only type of meat worth eating, if you want to maintain good health.
It is important to understand that grass-fed animals not only produce better eggs, milk & meat - but the return to native perennial grasses is key to future. We destroyed most of the grasslands and replaced them with monocultures like corn and soy.
It is important to understand that grass-fed animals not only produce better eggs, milk & meat - but the return to native perennial grasses is key to future. We destroyed most of the grasslands and replaced them with monocultures like corn and soy.
We then produce
hydrogenated vegetable oil and high fructose corn syrup for human
consumption, and use much of the remainder for feed in concentrated
animal feeding operations.
The grasslands act very much like forests, while deforestation is very well known the destruction of grasslands have similar effects. Perennial grass farming produces more nutritious products, while work in a perfect cycle with nature.
The grasslands act very much like forests, while deforestation is very well known the destruction of grasslands have similar effects. Perennial grass farming produces more nutritious products, while work in a perfect cycle with nature.
Special Report Reveals Shocking Side Effects of Zilmax
Beta-agonist
drugs such as Zilmax belong to a class of non-hormone drugs used as a
growth promoter in livestock. As a class, beta-agonist drugs have been
used in US cattle production since 2003.
They're
fed to cattle in the weeks prior to slaughter to increase weight by as
much as 30 pounds of lean meat per cow. Due to the short window between
administration of the drug and slaughter, as much as 20 percent of it
may remain in the meat you buy.
A recent special report by Reuters4 revealed some of the more horrific effects Zilmax has on cattle:
"As
cattle trailers that had traveled up to four hours in 95-degree heat
began to unload, 15 heifers and steers hobbled down the ramps on August
5, barely able to walk. The reason: the animals had lost their hooves,
according to US Department of Agriculture documents reviewed by
Reuters...
The
next day... two more animals with missing hooves arrived by truck...
The animals' feet were 'basically coming apart,' said Keith Belk, a
professor of animal science at Colorado State University."
Merck responded to Reuters with a statement saying that:
"Several
third-party experts were brought in to evaluate the situation, review
the data and identify potential causes for the hoof issue... The
findings from the investigation showed that the hoof loss was not due to
the fact these animals had received Zilmax."
It
would not, however, disclose the identities of these third-party
experts; nor would they release any more details on the investigation.
According to Reuters, Tyson Foods had noticed "cattle mobility issues"
prior to the August 5 and 6 events that spurred the company to refuse
Zilmax-fed cattle, but none of them had been quite this severe.
Increased Use of Livestock Drugs Is Cause for Concern
Merck
is required by federal law to report all deaths occurring in treated
animals, and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) records show at least
285 cattle have unexpectedly died or been euthanized after receiving
Zilmax since the drug's introduction in 2007.
At least 75 cows lost their hooves and were euthanized within the past two years. Other reported adverse effects in cattle following the administration of Zilmax include:
At least 75 cows lost their hooves and were euthanized within the past two years. Other reported adverse effects in cattle following the administration of Zilmax include:
Stomach ulcers
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Brain lesions
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Blindness
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Lethargy and lameness
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Bloody nose
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Respiratory problems
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Heart failure
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Sudden death
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According
to the featured report, it still has not been determined whether Zilmax
is responsible for causing all these side effects—some of them so
severe that cattle have to be euthanized. Some of the statistics are
telling, however. Within the first two years of Zilmax's introduction to
market, the number of euthanized cattle skyrocketed; shooting up by 175
percent compared to the pre-Zilmax range.
One
working theory is that the drug might compound the adverse effects of
ailments associated with confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs),
such as acidosis, which results when a cow eats too many grains or
sugar. Excessive heat may be another compounding factor, as well as
animal genetics.
"Regardless,
the episode at the Tyson plant - which hasn't been publicly disclosed
until now - is coming to light at a time of growing concern over risks
to animal and human health posed by the increased use of pharmaceuticals
in food production," Reuters5 says.
"Livestock
pharmaceuticals use is expanding as part of the push to produce more
meat at lower cost... The cases of hoofless cattle also raise ethical
questions about whether the drive by modern agriculture to produce
greater volumes of food, as cheaply as possible, is coming at the cost
of animal welfare."
Zilmax Banned for Use in Horses Due to Side Effects
Zilmax is already banned for use in horses due to severe side effects, including muscle tremors and rapid heart rates According to a 2008 veterinary case report involving three horses that were given Zilmax:
"Within
90 minutes the horses had muscular tremors which began in the skeletal
muscles of the neck, shoulder, and foreleg and spread throughout the
visible skeletal muscles. Intermittent visible muscular tremors
continued for up to 1 week after the initial dose of zilpaterol. They
also all had certain changes to their blood chemistry, such as elevated
BUN, creatinine, and glucose and mild hyponatremia and hypochloremia...
Liver and kidney changes were also noted."
Ractopamine,
another beta-agonist, is yet another drug used in the US, even though
it's been banned in 160 other countries due to its potential health
hazards. The researchers also noted that Zilmax is about 125 times more
potent than ractopamine, saying this may be why side effects were overlooked in connection with ractopamine studies.
It's worth noting that, in human medicine, the same class of drugs (beta-agonists) can be found in certain asthma medications,
such as Advair. One long-acting beta-agonist called salmeterol was
linked to an epidemic of asthma deaths in the 1960s. Weight gain is also
a common complaint among Advair users—so much so that the manufacturer
has added weight gain to the post-marketing side effects. Other adverse
reactions to beta-agonist drugs include increased heart rate, insomnia,
headaches, and essential tremor—eerily similar to those experienced by
horses. So why wouldn't the drug affect cows in a similar fashion?
Might Beta-Agonists in Meat Pose Human Health Hazards?
According to Randox Food Diagnostics,8
which has created tests for Zilmax residue in beef, use of
beta-agonists prior to slaughter is of particular concern "as this poses
a risk to the consumer and may result in consumer toxicity." Research
findings to this effect include:
- A 2003 study in Analytica Chimica Acta:9 residue behaviour of Zilmax in urine, plasma, muscle, liver, kidney, and retina of cattle and pig was assessed. Two heifers and 16 pigs were treated with Zilmax and slaughtered after withdrawal times varying from 1 to 10 days. The drug was detectable at each point of time examined in all matrices except plasma after a withdrawal period of 10 days. It's worth noting that in the US, the recommended market window is three to 10 days after discontinuing Zilmax10
- A 2006 study11 on residues of Zilmax in sheep found detectable levels in liver and muscle tissues up to nine days after discontinuation of the drug
Even
before it was approved, scientists expressed concerns that
beta-agonists might result in increased cardiovascular risk for
consumers.12 According to an article published in the Journal of Animal Science in 1998:13
"The
use of highly active beta-agonists as growth promoters is not
appropriate because of the potential hazard for human and animal health,
as was recently concluded at the scientific Conference on Growth
Promotion in Meat Production (Nov. 1995, Brussels)."
Not All Meat Is Created Equal
I
believe the movement toward ethical and sustainable meat eating is an
important one, both in terms of animal welfare and human health.
Agricultural drug use is indeed becoming a major health concern for
animals and humans alike, courtesy of factory farming methods where
efficiency and low cost is the primary objective.
Besides beta-agonist drugs like Zilmax and Ractopamine
(the latter of which, by the way, is banned in 160 countries), animals
raised in American confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are also
typically given a number of other drugs, including antibiotics and hormones.
You
are essentially getting a concoction of drugs in every piece of meat
you eat. The routine use of antibiotics alone now poses a significant
threat to human health, as it has spawned a dramatic rise in
antibiotic-resistant disease. Instead of their natural diet, which is
plain grass, CAFO cattle are also fed a wholly unnatural diet consisting
of pesticide-laden and oftentimes genetically engineered (GE)
grains—primarilyGE corn and soy.
Organic, grass-fed and finished meat that is humanely raised and butchered is really about the only
type of meat that is healthy to eat. By purchasing your meat from
smaller farms that raise their animals in a humane fashion, according to
organic principles, you're promoting the proliferation of such farms,
which in the end will benefit everyone, including all the animals.
I've also previously written about the atrocities that take place in some U.S. CAFOs,
where filthy, crowded conditions are the norm, and I think most people
would agree that such animal abuse is inexcusable, even if they're
"only" being raised for food. It would be foolish to think that the end
result—the meat from these animals—would have any major health benefits.
In
fact, the differences between CAFO beef and organic grass-fed beef are
so vast; you're really talking about two different animals, and two
separate industries with entirely different farming practices and
environmental impact. The latter also tends to favor far more humane
butchering practices, which is also a very important part of "ethical
meat."
Rethink Your Shopping Habits, to Protect Your Family's Health
Whether
you do so for ethical, environmental, or health reasons — or all of the
above -- the closer you can get to the "backyard barnyard," the better.
Ideally, you'll want to get all your animal products, including meat,
chicken and eggs, from smaller community farms with free-ranging animals
that are organically fed and locally marketed. This is the way food has
been raised and distributed for centuries... before it was corrupted by
politics, corporate greed, and the blaring arrogance of the food
industry.
You
can do this not only by visiting the farm directly, if you have one
nearby, but also by taking part in farmer's markets and
community-supported agriculture programs. The following organizations
can also help you locate farm-fresh foods in your local area, raised in a
humane, sustainable manner:
- Local Harvest -- This Web site will help you find farmers' markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area where you can buy produce, grass-fed meats, and many other goodies.
- Farmers' Markets -- A national listing of farmers' markets.
- Eat Well Guide: Wholesome Food from Healthy Animals -- The Eat Well Guide is a free online directory of sustainably raised meat, poultry, dairy, and eggs from farms, stores, restaurants, inns, and hotels, and online outlets in the United States and Canada.
- Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) -- CISA is dedicated to sustaining agriculture and promoting the products of small farms.
- FoodRoutes -- The FoodRoutes "Find Good Food" map can help you connect with local farmers to find the freshest, tastiest food possible. On their interactive map, you can find a listing for local farmers, CSAs, and markets near you.
NOTE: It doesn't have to be like this, you can vote with every dollar that you spend, buy from a local rancher and ensure that his stock is grass fed, not grain fed, confirm no steroids, antibiotics, hormones. Or purchase through online companies that specialize in all sorts of yummy Grassland Beef, also lots of other meats to choose from. You'll be amazed at the taste and texture difference, plus you won't have an upset stomach or diarrhea from eating naturally raised meats.
Even meat from boutique butcher shops could be coming from the same CAFO, just packaged more interestingly.
You'll be shocked to learn what domestic cattle eat, if you've ever heard of Distiller Grains, you may never have associated it with feed.
Isn't big business always about money and never about the consumers' health or what they want to buy?
American Whiskey distilleries started production in the US after whiskey imports stopped with the war of 1812. Alcohol production resulted in large amounts of wasted grain. Distillery waste disposal represented a major expense. This distilleries waste by product was called swill or slop.
Now what to do with this chemically altered waste? Why not feed it to the cows? Get rid of the garbage by feeding it to the cows!
Cows are biologically equipped to graze on grass, they do not naturally eat corn or grains. They had to be forced to eat this smelly slop.
Farmers would stop feeding all food and water and give the cows salt to make them thirsty. Then they were given cold slop until they got used to it, it was that or starve. Once the cows were used to it they would be fed the hot slop right from the stills. Streamlined efficiency.
These confined animal feed lots were the precursors to our manure mounded, crowded, disease ridden filthy pens that we have today. The slop made the cows sick. The milk produced from sick cows who were fed this whiskey distillery slop was very poor quality.
Pathogenic bacteria increased resulting in unhealthy and contaminated milk. There was no concern for the cow's health or the quality of the milk or the people who bought and drank the milk. Not surprisingly there were deaths caused by the raw milk produced in those conditions.
Learn More Here
Even meat from boutique butcher shops could be coming from the same CAFO, just packaged more interestingly.
You'll be shocked to learn what domestic cattle eat, if you've ever heard of Distiller Grains, you may never have associated it with feed.
What Do Whiskey & Pasteurized Milk Have In Common?
Money. Big money.Isn't big business always about money and never about the consumers' health or what they want to buy?
American Whiskey distilleries started production in the US after whiskey imports stopped with the war of 1812. Alcohol production resulted in large amounts of wasted grain. Distillery waste disposal represented a major expense. This distilleries waste by product was called swill or slop.
Now what to do with this chemically altered waste? Why not feed it to the cows? Get rid of the garbage by feeding it to the cows!
Cows are biologically equipped to graze on grass, they do not naturally eat corn or grains. They had to be forced to eat this smelly slop.
Farmers would stop feeding all food and water and give the cows salt to make them thirsty. Then they were given cold slop until they got used to it, it was that or starve. Once the cows were used to it they would be fed the hot slop right from the stills. Streamlined efficiency.
These confined animal feed lots were the precursors to our manure mounded, crowded, disease ridden filthy pens that we have today. The slop made the cows sick. The milk produced from sick cows who were fed this whiskey distillery slop was very poor quality.
Pathogenic bacteria increased resulting in unhealthy and contaminated milk. There was no concern for the cow's health or the quality of the milk or the people who bought and drank the milk. Not surprisingly there were deaths caused by the raw milk produced in those conditions.
Learn More Here
Brian Davies