Turkeys on Steroids
Food Hazards in Animal Flesh and By-products from All-Creatures.org Vegan Health Articles

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From Vegan Blogger

While nobody seems to be talking about it, I am wondering how the turkey producers of America could be raising less turkeys and yet yielding the same total weight as before. Case in point:

  • In 2006, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 272 million turkeys raised in America, which added up to a total weight of 7.2 billion pounds.
  • In 2007, there were 271 million turkeys raised, with a combined weight of 7.9 billion pounds.
  • In 2008, there was 250 million turkeys raised, with a combined weight of 7.9 billion pounds.

How is it that when you compare 2007 to 2008, there was 21 million less turkeys produced, yet the total weight stayed the same? You guessed it - growth hormones! Turkey growth hormone (tGH) is used in raising the vast majority of turkeys in the market. Only those labeled as not having it are grown without it, which is a small number of them.

If you are not familiar with the growth hormones used in raising animals, do some research on it. You may be surprised to learn what is being injected into the animals to get them to grow fatter faster. It is basically your meat on steroids, and if you are eating it keep in mind that those chemicals are entering your body. Some believe that this is the reason so many youngsters are reaching puberty faster today. Plus, if the hormones are being used to get the animal to fatten up, what is it going to do to you?

If you are eating turkey this Thanksgiving like so many millions of Americans, there is a good chance you are having it with a heaping dose of turkey growth hormone, as well as an antibiotic chaser. That's nothing to be thankful about.


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We began this archive as a means of assisting our visitors in answering many of their health and diet questions, and in encouraging them to take a pro-active part in their own health. We believe the articles and information contained herein are true, but are not presenting them as advice. We, personally, have found that a whole food vegan diet has helped our own health, and simply wish to share with others the things we have found. Each of us must make our own decisions, for it's our own body. If you have a health problem, see your own physician.