Many consumers have become aware of at least
some of these compelling statistics regarding prion-related
diseases. This has naturally prompted questions as to which
animal products present risk to humans. Most of the focus of
late has been on beef, which is warranted. Although organ tissue
carries the greatest risk, animal studies do suggest that meat
(from animal muscle alone) can transmit prion-related diseases.47 This is not surprising since muscle is interlaced
with lymph and nervous tissue--two tissues known to be infected
with BSE.48 However, we cannot exclude the possibility that milk
may also carry disease-inducing prions. Many may recall how some
years ago assurances were given that a mother could not pass HIV
to her child by nursing.49 Of course, we now know that HIV can
be transmitted in breast milk.50
Granted, prion diseases are vastly different
from HIV. The risk from milk does appear to be much smaller than
from eating beef or cattle organ tissues. Nonetheless, a British
BSE expert has pointed out that at least one human case suggests
passage of prions in milk. A Japanese woman dying of CJD was
found to have the infectious agent in her colostrum (the type of
breast milk made in the initial days following delivery).51 Milk
has been under suspicion in established medical circles. It was
one of the products targeted when the United Kingdom was
beginning to recognize the magnitude of the mad cow problem.
Milk from BSE Infected Cattle is Banned.52
Both humans and animals were banned from
consuming an infected cow's milk. Unfortunately, as we have
already noted, animals are infected with the BSE prion long
before they manifest any symptoms. When infected symptom-free
cows are milked, their milk is mixed in collection tanks with
milk from healthy cows. If the prion is present in milk, it
could theoretically contaminate the whole collection tank.
Pasteurization cannot destroy prions, so that process provides
no consolation. Although at this time it cannot be stated for
certain that milk can transmit a prion-related disease, many are
wondering: is it worth taking the chance?
Eating the flesh of animals other than cows or
drinking their milk may not be safe either. These other animals
may also be infected with prion-related diseases. As already
mentioned, some 20 animal species, including sheep and goats,
can become infected with the transmissible spongiform
encephalopathies. Suspicions are also raised concerning products
made from animal glands. Health food stores often feature a
variety of supplements that include glandular extracts. These
agents appear to have a higher risk of prion contamination and
thus I think it is prudent to avoid them.
References
47 Dealler S, Lacey R. Beef and bovine
spongiform encephalopathy: the risk persists. Nutr Health
1991;7(3):117-133.
48 Groschup MH, Weiland F, Pfaff E
"Detection of scrapie agent in the peripheral nervous
system of diseased sheep." Goettingen prion meeting
November 1995 http://www.airtime.co.uk/bse/intm.htm
49 Jelliffe DB, Jelliffe EF. HIV and
breastmilk: non-proven alarmism. J Trop Pediatr 1988
Aug;34(4):142.
50 US Dept. Of Health and Human Services.
Managing Early HIV Infection Quick Reference Guide for
Clinicians: Number 7. AHCPR Publication No. 94-0573, January
1994 p. 14.
51 Tamai Y, Kojima H, et al. Demonstration of
the transmissible agent in tissue from a pregnant woman with
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. N Engl J Med 1992 Aug 27;327(9):649.
52 Pratt K. Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy.
Fact sheet. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS).
U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1991Jul p. 1.
Notice of Credit
The article above is compliments of the Uchee
Pines Institute, Seale, Alabama, a teaching and treatment
facility devoted to natural remedies. For mor information, call
334-855-4781,e-mail: ucheepine@csi.com, or visit their Website:
http://www.ucheepines.org.
