A head of lettuce has more estrogen in it than the meat of a whole cow?

Question

Something I was told by someone who AUGHT to know (meat science at Texas Tech) when he found out I was vegan.

Anybody know the differences between phytoestrogen and the animal hormone? I'd like to keep my estrogen intake down, having a family history of cancer. I'd like some sources to track down, to research his statement.

Answer 1

According to this article, the human body is unable to turn Phytoestrogens into estrogen and the phytoestrogens are beneficial. There has been research supporting both the positive and negative sides though.

I wouldn't be surprised if lettuce had more naturally occurring estrogen than a cow, but a cow is artificially pumped up with hormones these days both as a milk and a meat producer.

I'm neither a agronomist, biologist or veterinarian. My OCD forces me to answer questions.

Answer 2

According to this article, the human body is unable to turn Phytoestrogens into estrogen and the phytoestrogens are beneficial. There has been research supporting both the positive and negative sides though.

I wouldn't be surprised if lettuce had more naturally occurring estrogen than a cow, but a cow is artificially pumped up with hormones these days both as a milk and a meat producer.

Answer 3

First it was soy now it's lettuce :-) Just don't start injecting lettuce juice and you will be ok.

Answer 4

According to this article, the human body is unable to turn Phytoestrogens into estrogen and the phytoestrogens are beneficial. There has been research supporting both the positive and negative sides though.

I wouldn't be surprised if lettuce had more naturally occurring estrogen than a cow, but a cow is artificially pumped up with hormones these days both as a milk and a meat producer.

I am a whiny wimp who complains about other peoples' lack of credentials even though Yahoo Answers doesn't require credentials of any kind. Ironically, I also feel qualified to diagnose other members with mental illness although I am not a psychiatrist or any kind of mental health professional--you have to graduate from highschool first.

Answer 5

I find that hard to believe. I'm not sure how much the average sized cow weights, but it would have to be at least 800-1000 pounds and a head of lettuce weighs 3 or 4 pounds at the most. I used to weigh heads of lettuce when I worked for a restaurant. Besides, if someone is a "meat scientist" I would expect him to be biased towards making meat look like a good thing.

The results of studies in phytoestrogens and their effect on cancer are contradictory. Some studies say they are beneficial while others state the opposite. In addition, the studies seem to focus on people who already have cancer, not people who have family history without having cancer themselves.

I think this website sums it up pretty well:

http://envirocancer.cornell.edu/FactShee...