All That’s Green Isn’t Always Healthy

Do you think the vegetables on your plate are healthy? The Minister of State for Health, Maharashtra, Dr Dinesh Trivedi, had recently sent out a warning against the use of oxytocin, stating that it could cause ‘irreparable damage to our health’ if consumed over a period of time. Chennaiites now have to look twice before buying their greens. Says Dr S. Elango, former Director of Public Health, “Any hormone, artificial or drug-induced will affect the system. We already have a certain amount of hormone level in our system and when it is tampered with, it will lead to adverse effects. Increase or decrease in levels of oxytocin at inappropriate times is bad.”

Ramya S, a homemaker says “I’m alarmed by this sudden news. How did the ministry not this know before? And they say this hormone is available at general stores. If it was already banned from using on animals, why is it still so easily available?” Dr J.R. Anirudh, of Lifeline hospitals, says women are more likely to be affected by this hormone. “The damage caused will depend on the quantity of hormone consumed. In this case, it would be small doses over a period of time and this could lead to severe abdominal pain or cause menstrual and labor problems for women,” he says. The hormone, which is secreted in the pituitary gland, is usually used to contract the womb and helps during labor.

“The hormone is usually injected in cases where there is a specific need during pregnancy or after childbirth. Using it in excess when not required, could lead to early development of sexual organs in children and early maturity. Of course, all this happens over years of consumption,” says Dr. Usha Sriram, an endocrinologist. While Dr. Elango agrees, he also says the child’s growth becomes abnormal within a period of time. “We had done a survey and come up with the solution that adolescents these days are obese and this is because they consume food that is adulterated with growth hormones like cultured fish and broiler chicken. A similar reaction would be seen if this trend continues,” he explains.

When a local distributor of fresh vegetables was contacted to ask about this, the store manager of its T Nagar outlet said they are not aware of this trend and that their fresh vegetables come from Ooty, Coimbatore and surrounding areas.

Courtesy by Deccan Chronicle