Did you know that the meat you are consuming may contain some veterinary drugs harmful for your body? Yes! Recent studies have reported that antimicrobial residues in animal organs can increase health risks of consumers.
Infographic Click Here | A huge variety of veterinary drugs are used to increase the productivity of livestock. These drugs may include antimicrobials, antiparasitics, vaccines, etc. You may be satisfied that you cook and wash your meat thoroughly, but unfortunately these drugs can escape all the washing, cooking and boiling and make their way into your body. Let us look at how some of these drugs can have a negative effect on the human body. |
Here are five ways through which commonly used animal drugs impact human health:
- Increased risk of infections
Antimicrobials are used to prevent the growth of microorganisms in the body. Most of the antimicrobials used in animals are similar to the antibiotics used in humans. Some common veterinary antimicrobials used in livestock production are penicillin, tetracycline, aminoglycosides, sulphonamides, etc.
Administration of large of amounts of antimicrobials can result in development of resistant antimicrobial residues. These resistant microorganisms enter into the human body through direct consumption of meat or animal products, leading to increased infections and poor response to antibiotic treatment.
- Allergic reactions
Some classes of antimicrobials like penicillin, sulphonamides and tetracycline can cause allergic reactions in the human body. Studies have shown that about 4-11% of humans are allergic to penicillin. When these humans consume meat or animal products such as milk, eggs containing antimicrobial residues, their risk of developing allergic reactions increases.
The allergic reactions may manifest as mild skin rashes to severe anaphylaxis reactions. Another class of antimicrobials called macrolides have also shown harmful effects on liver cells through allergic reactions.
- Gastrointestinal disturbances
Some commonly used antimicrobials in animals can cause disruption of the normal intestinal flora in humans when they consume animal meat. The human intestinal flora consists of a wide variety of microorganisms which play an important role in digestion, metabolism and immune function. Antimicrobial residues in meat often lead to an imbalance of the intestinal flora, resulting in gastrointestinal disturbances such as constipation, indigestion, diarrhoea, bloating, acidity, etc. It also poses a high risk of developing infections due to improper functioning of the immune system.
- Increased risk of cancer and genetic mutations
Some drugs and chemical substances used in animals may have the capability to alter the genes through mutations in the human DNA. This can have toxic effects on the developing baby in pregnant women, leading to malformation when consumed during initial stages of pregnancy.
Additionally, these drug residues have the potential to transform into carcinogenic cells (cancer causing cells) through genetic alternations. They bind to human intracellular components such as RNA, DNA, proteins, etc and increase the risk of developing cancer.
- Toxic effects on the cardiovascular system
Beta-antagonist drugs like ractopamine are used in animals to reduce the amount of fat and increase muscle mass. These drugs are used to improve overall animal size in livestock production. However, some percentage of this drug remains in the animal body and gains entry into humans through meat consumption.
Human consumption of meat containing this drug may result in high blood pressure, increased heart rate, anxiety, exhibiting a higher risk quotient in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease.
Conclusion:
It is important to understand the potential dangers of these drugs entering your body through the food you are consuming. The best way to stay away from these damaging effects is to make sustainable choices and make your way towards plant-based foods!
References:
- Andrew B, Oluwakamisi F. Veterinary Drug Residues in Meat and Meat Products: Occurrence, Detection and Implications. Veterinary medicine and Pharmaceuticals; (2019).
Accessed on 24 June, 2021.
- Arunvikram K, Mohanty I, Sardar KK, Palai S, Sahoo G ,Patra RC. Adverse drug reactionand toxicity caused by commonly used antimicrobials in canine practice; Veterinary world (2014); 7(5): 299-305.
http://www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.7/May-2014/6.pdf
Accessed on 24 June, 2021.
- National Research Council (US) Committee on Drug Use in Food Animals. Drug Residues and Microbial Contamination in Food: Monitoring and Enforcement. The Use of Drugs in Food Animals: Benefits and Risks (1999).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK232575/
Accessed on 24 June, 2021.
- National Research Council (US) Committee on Drug Use in Food Animals. Benefits and Risks to Human Health. The Use of Drugs in Food Animals: Benefits and Risks (1999).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK232574/
Accessed on 24 June, 2021.
