Study: Vegan Women Less Likely To Have Twins

[Elad]

http://www.elitestv.com/pub/2006/May/EEN4471c598eae62.html

-snip-

According to Dr. Gary Steinman, the lead researcher, the reason may be that vegans do not consume the hormones given to cattle to boost their production of milk and beef. Steinman also suggests that the frequency of giving birth to twins is determined by both diet and heredity.

Vegans were only one-fifth as likely to have twins as compared to women who drank milk. In his study, published in the 'Journal of Reproductive Medicine,' Steinman said the reaction to the growth hormone is the key. Humans produce an insulin-like substance called IGF in response to the growth hormone. IGF stimulates the follicles in the ovaries, making egg production more likely in humans.

-snip-

Steinman concluded that women seeking to have a healthy child may wish to reduce their intake of meat and dairy products. 'Because multiple gestations are more prone to complications such as premature delivery, congenital defects and pregnancy-induced hypertension in the mother than singleton pregnancies, the findings of this study suggest that women contemplating pregnancy might consider substituting meat and dairy products with other protein sources, especially in countries that allow growth hormone administration to cattle,' said Steinman.

-more at link-

[ThomCat]

1. That is very interesting.

I wonder if this primarily a recent effect, with modern abuse of hormones, or if this has always been the case.

[LeftyMom]

2. Dude, that rocks.

I mean, I love LeftyKid and all, but if there were two of him I think I'd turn to drugs. :scared:

[BrklynLiberal]

3. Another reason to be aware of what we eat...

[flvegan]

4. That's very interesting and all, but

do you realize just how f'ed up that is? There's SO much crap in carnivore chow that it can affect your reproductive system like that? AND, if it can affect a pregnancy in such a way, what can it possibly be doing to the offspring?

Dude...that's messed up.

[LeftyMom]

5. Well, we know that meat and dairy consumption

are associated with a host of reproductive issues in young people. Gynomastica in boys, early puberty in girls.

Times like these I really wish I'd had a vegan pregnancy.

[flvegan]

6. I think you've

minimized the damage as much as possible.

And for goodness sake, your kid looks like he's been dipping into Barry Bonds' stash...

[LeftyMom]

7. Well yeah, but his head was that way at birth

It's really not his fault he looks like Stewie Griffin and you shouldn't mock him for it.

[flvegan]

8. I didn't mean

his HEAD. He's like 6 feet tall already.

[LeftyMom]

9. Which is a riot since his father and I are hobbits.

I measured him the other day and he's 3'6", but he's fattening up a lot so I think he'll shoot up a few more inches soon.

[flvegan]

10. That boy needs a weight set.

Mmmm...a prodigy.

[LeftyMom]

11. Shouldn't he have to wait a few more years?

:shrug:

[flvegan]

12. That depends

Are we talking about his health or my ego?

[LeftyMom]

13. Guess.

:P

[flvegan]

14. I'm flattered, but really

you should think of the boy.

[LeftyMom]

15. Dude, when he's grown

I'm so going to have him kick your ass for giving me shit. :P

[flvegan]

16. Not likely.

Nonviolence begets nonviolence.

Besides, his ass is gonna need a trainer. Plus, when he's 16, and he thinks you're repressing him, I'll be the one saying, "yo, here's the keys...I'll take care of mom, k?"

[LeftyMom]

17. But you'll get to repress him too

It's fun. :P

[flvegan]

18. Hell no.

I'm letting him run amok. I can blame any of the negatives on you. See? I reap the rewards and pass the issues of flotsam and jetsam onto you.

[LeftyMom]

19. He'd better be running amok in your car then.

I like mine. :P