A company recently tested 21 egg samples and found that 4 of them contained "oestrogen-like substances". The company stated that consuming these eggs could disrupt the human endocrine system. As developing children and adolescents are more susceptible to endocrine disruptors such as oestrogen, this could lead to precocious puberty in children.
Nutritionists point out that all foods derived from animals contain hormones, which are broken down and digested by the human body. As long as a balanced diet is maintained, there is no need to worry excessively. Doctors, meanwhile, state that normal eating habits do not affect children's growth and that precocious puberty may also be influenced by congenital factors.
AquaSure (International) Biotech used zebrafish embryos and genetically modified medaka embryos to conduct acute and chronic toxicity tests on egg samples. In the latter embryo tests, only 10 samples "performed ideally," 11 "required improvement," and four contained significant levels of oestrogen mimics. The team warned that oestrogen mimics can cause endocrine disruption, potentially leading to cancer, reduced fertility, and precocious puberty in children.
Here are 8 brands of safe egg samples tested by Shui Zhongyin and rated as 'Green Fish':
Paediatrician: Girls with precocious puberty may end up being short
Paediatrician Dr Chan Yan Wing
Paediatrician Chan Yan-wing pointed out that both males and females have the chance of experiencingPrecocious pubertyBreast development in girls before the age of 8, and testicular and penile development in boys before the age of 9, may also be signs of precocious puberty. Although it is possible for girls to develop precociously due to external food sources, eating one to two eggs a day as part of a normal diet will not cause premature development. If parents have doubts, they can consult a doctor for advice. If a girl develops precociously, she will stop growing taller one to two years after her first period, resulting in a shorter stature in the future.
Dr Chan explained that the pituitary gland releases hormones that stimulate children's bodies to enter puberty. If they show signs of development too early, it could also be due to a brain tumour causing the pituitary gland to release hormones prematurely. In particular, sexual precocity in boys caused by external stimuli is rare. He advised parents to seek medical attention for their children as soon as possible. Doctors will check the child's bone age to determine the cause. If the cause is unrelated to a tumour, they can receive injectable treatment to suppress the pituitary gland's hormone release and slow down the development process.
