Posted by patiolant on February 01, 2012 at 14:22:26 from (216.65.163.97):
In Reply to: Re: Food nazis posted by GeneMO on February 01, 2012 at 13:27:00:
It's a valid point, but these receptors tend to be present in large excess in cells, and the cells can simply make more if they sense that they are low on receptors that are bound-up and unavailable. As well, some of the chemicals that are labelled as "estrogen-like" and interact with the receptor don't actually bind to what is called the "active site" of the receptor. This is the site that binds to the actual hormone estrogen, and thus the receptor can still be available to bind to actual estrogens. Also, some of the tests done in test tubes (cell free) are examining molecules that may not even be able to enter a cell, and thus could never bind to a receptor in an intact cell.
The major take home message is that cells and biological systems are unbelievably complex in how they regulate daily activities, and a single set of data using a single experimental assay rarely provides much insight on it's own. That's why I tend to get annoyed when I see a single set of data being used to make a broad generalization. In some ways, science has been taken hostage in that it is expected by the decision-makers of the world to quickly answer all of life's concerns in a short period of time. Major scientific discoveries are rarely made in large steps, and instead involve a long series of baby steps.
I have been lecturing undergraduate students in introductory cell biology for 20+ years, and am still blown away by new discoveries on ways that the activities of cells in our bodies are regulated. Many of these new discoveries are made due to technological developments that allow the same scientific questions to be answered in new and better ways. In many cases, these new discoveries reverse what was previously believed to occur.
I recognize that we sometimes have to make decisions based on existing information. I just wish is wouldn't be defended as vehemently as it is knowing that it is not as solid as it is may be portrayed. In the case of this discussion, there is not doubt that there are hormone-mimicking chemicals present in the environment and food that impact animal and human health (based on a large body of studies). However, this doesn't mean that all hormones and chemicals used in agriculture are automatically bad for our health (nor are they all automatically harmless). In my own case, I eat predominantly organic foods, mostly grown by myself. I do this because I know just how complex the cells of our bodies are, and it is just not worth the risk. It is a personal decision based on "what I know we don't know".
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