Holistic Pediatric Association - http://www.hpakids.org/holistic-health
Rocket Fuel in Breast Milk
http://www.hpakids.org/holistic-health/articles/167/1/Rocket-Fuel-in-Breast-Milk
Randall Neustaedter OMD, LAc, CCH
Dr. Neustaedter has practiced homeopathy and oriental medicine for over 25 years, specializing in child health care. An accomplished and well-recognized author, he has written The Vaccine Guide: Risks and Benefits for Children and Adults (North Atlantic Books, 2002), a book that helps consumers make informed choices about vaccination. His new book, Child Health Guide: Holistic Pediatrics for Parents (North Atlantic Books, 2005), represents a state of the art guide to raising children with natural medical care. He can be reached through his extensive website at www.cure-guide.com. 
By Randall Neustaedter OMD, LAc, CCH
Published on 08/11/2005
 
Last year the Environmental Working Group reported the discovery of a rocket fuel chemical (perchlorate) in milk from dairy cows. Now a study has also discovered an alarmingly high level of perchlorate in breast milk as well.
Rocket Fuel in Breast Milk

Last year the Environmental Working Group reported the discovery of a rocket fuel chemical (perchlorate) in milk from dairy cows. Now a study has also discovered an alarmingly high level of perchlorate in breast milk as well.

The danger of perchlorate ingestion concerns its association with thyroid function. Perchlorate inhibits iodide uptake and displaces iodide from the thyroid gland. Iodine intake through food is essential to production of adequate thyroid hormone (TH). Uptake of perchorate reduces TH production. The growing fetus is dependent on maternal levels of TH, and adequate TH in infancy is essential for nerve development. Early TH deficiency can result in specific forms of learning problems including difficulty processing visual-spatial information and memory/attention deficits. Iodine deficiency is recognized as the leading preventable cause of retardation in the world according to the World Health Organization.

Researchers in the current study measured perchlorate levels in 47 dairy milk samples from 11 states and in 36 human milk samples from 18 states. Perchlorate was present in virtually all samples, but the average concentration was five times higher in the human milk than in dairy milk.

Rocket fuel originates from government manufacturing plants. The entire lower Colorado River is contaminated with the rocket propellant. The Colorado River irrigates 15 percent of nation's crops. Grass fed to cattle and vegetables fed to humans are consequently contaminated with perchlorate from rocket fuel.

Several studies have correlated the incidence of abnormal thyroid function in newborns with maternal exposure to perchlorate. One study found that 49 percent of 100 pregnant women tested had iodine deficiency as measured by urinary iodine levels (Pearce, 2004).

The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for iodine is 220 mcg during pregnancy and 290 mcg during lactation. The authors of the current study suggest that exposure to perchlorate may require an increase in daily iodine intake during pregnancy and lactation to compensate for the loss in thyroid function. The maximum safe dose of iodine is 2 mg per day. Women may be well advised to increase their iodine supplementation especially during the childbearing years to prevent low thyroid function in themselves and their infants.

The Holistic Pediatric Association is currently developing guidelines for iodine supplementation based on these studies. Breast milk is still by far the best food for growing infants, and mothers should continue to breastfeed to provide their babies with the healthiest substance for growth and development. Taking a good prenatal supplement formula that contains iodine would be a wise choice for pregnant and lactating women to help prevent thyroid problems in themselves and their babies.

 

References:

Kirk AB, et al. Perchlorate and iodide in dairy and breast milk. Environmental Science and Technology 2005 (in press).

Pearce EN, et al. Dietary iodine in pregnant women from the Boston, Massachusetts area. Thyroid 2004; 14:327-328.