Protein Powder

fitme40

fitme40

Cathlete
The are so many recipes out there using protein powder but I'm hesitant to use it. I worry that it isn't entirely safe. Am I worrying about nothing? Also, for those that use it, what brands are the best tasting? I don't eat any artificial sweeteners. Are there brands that don't contain that? TIA

Laura
 
I have stopped my use of protein powders recently based on the levels of heavy metals found in these as recently reported. Until the industry changes its manufacturing process and includes lower heavy metal contaminants in their release specifications , they have lost me as a consumer. The fact that I am a Cathlete means I am about health and fitness and now get my protein from high quality natural sources. No need for these protein powders. I believe every one of the 15 brands that were tested by Consumer Reports contained heavy metals but to varying degrees I now only use yogurt, and non fat milk in my smoothies as the primary source of protein including dried milk.

Cathy
 
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I specifically responded to your post to say what CathydsRNA already said. I was stunned to read about the heavy metals present in well known brands, not just obscure brands, not that that would be OK either. I was considering buying some, but not after reading that. It is the July 2010 consumer reports. Usually their articles are not available online unless you pay for the service, but it's worth stopping at a library to read it. not a long article but a real eye opener.
 
I like to have a whey protein shake after an intense workout. It is a quick and easy way to help muscles recover, imo. I like Jay Robb Vanilla Whey, sweetened with naturally sweet stevia. It can be rather pricey, however, so sometimes I use MRM brand in rich vanilla (also sweetened with stevia). Both of these are cold-processed, cross-flow microfiltered whey protein isolate, which I have heard is supposed to be a more pure, easily absorbed protein.
 
I have always been curious to know how a clean diet can include protein powders. Isn't the point of clean eating to eat natural foods? Maybe I'm missing something? Either way, I'll stick to heavy metals downloaded from iTunes. ;)
 
MRM Metabolic Whey. Based on a rec from a kick-a$$ fitness friend whose trainer said to continue her use of MRM, based on the very article you're referring too.
 
Hi all,

I don't believe MRM was evaluated in this study and so don't know what the level of contamination is if any in this product. Muscle Milk was one of the most heavily contaminated products according to the study. It's an eye opening read relevant not only to protein drinks but other dietary products as well for which there is no or not enough oversight/regulations during the manufacturing process.

Cathy
 
Hi,
Vega was not included in the list. The complete list is available in the Consumer Reports issue referenced in the above list. When I get home this evening, I shall get the list of products tested and provide them in the thread

Cathy
 
CathydsRNA said:
Hi,
Vega was not included in the list. The complete list is available in the Consumer Reports issue referenced in the above list. When I get home this evening, I shall get the list of products tested and provide them in the thread

Cathy
Click to expand...

Thanks! I appreciate the heads-up and your sharing this information.
 
Here are the brands evaluated:

BSN brand including Lean Dessert and Syntha 6 ultra
Designer Whey
EAS Myoplex
GNC Brands including Lean Shake and Pro Performance
Jillian Michaels brand
Muscle Milk various varieties
Muscle Tech
Optimum brands
SixStar
Solgar

Heavy metals were detected in all products evaluated but the highest contamination was found in the Muscle Milk and EAS Brands (over the maximum proposed limits suggested by the US Pharmacopeia). The likely source of contamination is the concentration process. The point is that we as consumers should think twice before taking dietary supplements that aren't subject to much if any regulatory oversight. Just because your product is not on the list does not mean there us not a problem, it was just not evaluated The fact that heavy metals at the levels found in Muscle Milk and EAS which is sold over the counter attests to this problem. Another example of this problem was a contaminant in a source of L tryptophan from a single manufacturer .. They had changed their process and other chemicals co purified with the L tryptophan during the new process
The way this was tracked down was very unfortunate. Several thousand people became sick with a new syndrome called Eosinophilia-Myalgia syndrome and 36 folks died. After enormous health detective work, the disease and deaths were linked to ingestion of l tryptophan produced by a certain company. The tryptophan was analyzed and found to contain 6 other chemicals now believed to be responsible for the disease. Just wanted to bring this up as an example of what can go wrong when there is no regulatory oversight on these products consumers assume are safe simply because they are sold in stores. Not meant to scare, merely educate.
Make your own healthy decision:)



Cathy
 
Thank you Cathy for the list. I went to the library today to check out CR's but they don't get the magazine any longer. I never use protein powders but was still curious. When I read the posts here about smoothies/shakes I always think I should be having those but they never appeal to me and always bother my stomach. Really I just rather eat.
 
The CR website allows you to access the bulk of the article, just not the list/chart of specific brands and amounts of heavy metals found in each.

My concern is that all companies seem to buy bulk supplies from some other company up the food chain, sort of like the melamine contamination of pet foods, or the contaminated peanut problem. who knows who the true supplier of raw materials is? most companies didn't seem to know where their raw ingredients came from and where the company was located.
 
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