Can Non-Organic Milk Cause Early Puberty in Girls?

Dairy-Rich Diet

• According to Dr. Joel Fuhrman, a family physician who specializes in nutritional medicine and author of ̶0;Disease-Proof Your Child: Feeding Kids Right,̶1; drinking a lot of milk can play a role in early puberty. This is because milk and other dairy, as part of a diet rich in processed foods, can disrupt normal development and aging processes. The National Institutes of Health has also found that high milk consumption is associated with early onset of menstruation.

Chemical Contaminants in Milk

• Experts believe kids who consume non-organic milk might also be consuming the dioxins -- commonly referred to as endocrine-disrupting chemicals -- which the cow ingested and stored in its fat tissues before passing them on via its milk. Dr. Fuhrman describes EDCs as ̶0;hormonally active synthetic chemicals that mimic, inhibit or alter the action of natural hormones.̶1; According to NIH, these chemicals either bind directly to estrogen receptors in the body to increase estrogen activity and sensitivity, or work indirectly by leading to an increase in estrogen production. However they do it, EDCs can result in confusion in the body and early puberty, especially since they affect children more than adults.

Concerns of Early Puberty

• Girls who experience early puberty can suffer in many ways. According to Dr. Fuhrman, younger girls are not emotionally ready to handle the changes. Also, early puberty is associated with a higher risk of problems during the teen years, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders and alcohol use or smoking. Girls can suffer from physical consequences of early puberty, too, such as an increased risk for breast cancer as an adult due to additional exposure over a longer period of time to ovarian hormones, and stunted growth.

Protecting Your Child

• If you are concerned about the possibility of early puberty in your daughter, experts recommend that you buy organic milk and produce when possible to reduce her exposure to EDCs. Try to minimize the amount of overall dairy in her diet as well, and consider alternatives to cow̵7;s milk such as almond milk. You can also help your child learn about choosing healthy food and lifestyles by talking to her as she grows so she will learn to make healthy choices herself. Finally, if you are concerned about your daughter̵7;s milk intake or signs of early puberty, talk to your pediatrician for guidance.