rBST and whey protein

Alot of people ask me about rBST. Here is an official "statement" we are now using.

Statement on Use of rBST or rBGH

There is no scientific method to test for the application of Bovine Somatotropin (BST) [also referred to as Bovine Growth Hormone (BGH) by the milk producers. Because of lack of testing methods, we do not monitor the raw milk supply for recombinant Bovine Somatotropin (rBST) or recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH).

The following statements are excerpted from the Position Statement of the Institute of Food Science and Technology, published in Food Science & Technology Today, 12 (3), 169-176, Sept. 1998.

1. Milk contains a trace level of BST which does not differ regardless of whether or not the animal has received supplemental BST. Furthermore, heat treatment, such as occurs with pasteurization, inactivates 90% of the BST in milk.

2. BST which is present in the consumed milk is not absorbed as such. It is digested like any other protein to single amino acids and oligopeptides by protease enzymes in the stomach and small intestines.

3. Protein hormones such as somatotropin have to be injected directly into the body to be biologically active (e.g. insulin injections taken by a diabetic). However, it is known that only human somatotropin is active in humans and BST has no biological effects even if it is injected directly into the body.

So, in laymans terms, it really does not matter whether or not the raw materials come from a bovine source treated with external hormones?

Good to know, thanks man.