Protein drinks contain heavy metals?

[cat]

I hope this is not true, but Consumer Reports published this in the July 2010 issue and it was all over the news today:

Alert: Protein drinks

You don't need the extra protein or the heavy metals our tests found

Last reviewed: July 2010
This article appeared in
July 2010 Consumer Reports Magazine.


Test results
EAS Myoplex Original Rich Dark Chocolate and Muscle Milk Chocolate and Vanilla Crème can expose users to elevated levels of heavy metals when they consume three servings a day.

The promises are enticing. Whether you're looking to shed unwanted pounds, get a quick energy jolt, build muscles, or fight the aging process, protein drinks are being boosted by some supplement makers as a scientifically proven way to quickly achieve your goals.
The products, sold as ready-to-drink liquids or powders that you mix with milk, juice, or water to make shakes, attract not just athletes and body-builders but also baby boomers, pregnant women, and teenagers looking for a shortcut to a buff body.
Some ads say that protein supplements, in flavors such as strawberry and vanilla cream, can be a nutritious and time-saving snack or meal replacement.
Marketing for Energy First Pro Energy Whey Protein Isolate says the protein supplement is "ideal" for pregnant women and growing children, and also offers this promise for aging adults who use it: "You will rarely if ever be sick and you will begin to look and feel years younger."
In a testimonial for BSN Lean Dessert Protein Shake, "fitness celebrity" Jennifer Nicole Lee says, "Being a busy mom with 12-hour workdays, I rely upon my Lean Dessert Protein to get adequate amounts of protein without wasting time on creating complex meals ...."
Another product, Muscle Milk, boasts on its website: "Designed after one of nature's most balanced foods: human mother's milk ...."
But our investigation, including tests at an outside laboratory of 15 protein drinks, a review of government documents, and interviews with health and fitness experts and consumers, found most people already get enough protein, and there are far better and cheaper ways to add more if it's needed. Some protein drinks can even pose health risks, including exposure to potentially harmful heavy metals, if consumed frequently. All drinks in our tests had at least one sample containing one or more of the following contaminants: arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. Those metals can have toxic effects on several organs in the body.

[data]

I'm pretty sure that all processed foods have some kind of contaminate, heavy metal, or toxin.

[Curt James]

Protein drinks contain heavy metals?

[cat]

It' s true...they are putting Iron Maiden and Judas Priest in every bottle!!

[Shariff Abel]

species protein isolize are clean no heavy metal . and also the ALRI protein humapro is also clean !! and
PROGENX SRG IS ALSO CLEAN !!!

[MiamiMadePunk]

In other words guys, stay away from gimmick protein powders like muscle milk and EAS because they are available at all stores like walmart and sports autority which means that these powders are useless(waste of money) to us. isolyze and humapro, a okay in my book since it's backed up by research, muscle milk and Eas, haven't seen thier research yet.

[Hit-Girl]

I thought most of these protein powders contained about 95% of the same shit, and are produced by the same large manufacturers. It's just a few tweaks here and there for marketing reasons. It seems to be about 5 companies that make just about everything.

[maximusmac]

a review of government documents, and interviews with health and fitness experts and consumers, found most people already get enough protein, and there are far better and cheaper ways to add more if it's needed. Some protein drinks can even pose health risks, including exposure to potentially harmful heavy metals, if consumed frequently.

enough protein based on a .5g or .8g per body weight? And are these the same experts that promote the mypyramid or that HFC are the same as sugar group. i'm sure if they did that study on your typical frozen food they would find the same shit. i'm sure the protein powder tested was the same ones you buy at walmart cause you know thats the best place to get your supps.

personally I'm thinking with all the attacks from the goverment and media the war on suppliments and vitamins is going to start soon this is just a beginning, watch for the head line kid dies from protein powder and the need for regulation once they get the masses to believe the hype big parma is going to move in right with the fda. they did it with fish oil already, next vitamin D, and CoQ10.

[Mobster]

Scare stories in mall shop media and you guys listen?

1) The line as quoted: 'most people already get enough protein' applies to 'most people' who do not lift weights. In other words the typical American diet contains more than the RDA suggested by the UN etc. Oooo big shock.

2) The FDA (bare in mind I live in England) ALLOW a set level of toxins, typically in the very low parts per million (so below danger levels). So when the 'article' cites 'Some protein drinks can even pose health risks, including exposure to potentially harmful heavy metals, if consumed frequently. All drinks in our tests had at least one sample containing one or more of the following contaminants: arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. Those metals can have toxic effects on several organs in the body' it states the truth. But paints it in such a way to make you think protein products have sufficient levels of contaminants to endanger you. In fact the FDA allows quite a bit of foreign bodies (inc insect parts for example) but always at SAFE levels. There are more issues with mercury in fish than in a protein powder.

I sell supps and we get CoA's for our proteins and they include tested levels. The left column always indicates what's been found the right acceptable levels. It's always less. ALWAYS.

Think about the protein making process. It's ALL filters.

[Sledge]

Great post Mobbie.

[Silidons]

Scare stories in mall shop media and you guys listen?

1) The line as quoted: 'most people already get enough protein' applies to 'most people' who do not lift weights. In other words the typical American diet contains more than the RDA suggested by the UN etc. Oooo big shock.

2) The FDA (bare in mind I live in England) ALLOW a set level of toxins, typically in the very low parts per million (so below danger levels). So when the 'article' cites 'Some protein drinks can even pose health risks, including exposure to potentially harmful heavy metals, if consumed frequently. All drinks in our tests had at least one sample containing one or more of the following contaminants: arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. Those metals can have toxic effects on several organs in the body' it states the truth. But paints it in such a way to make you think protein products have sufficient levels of contaminants to endanger you. In fact the FDA allows quite a bit of foreign bodies (inc insect parts for example) but always at SAFE levels. There are more issues with mercury in fish than in a protein powder.

I sell supps and we get CoA's for our proteins and they include tested levels. The left column always indicates what's been found the right acceptable levels. It's always less. ALWAYS.

Think about the protein making process. It's ALL filters.

Pretty much everything has a small amount of that stuff.

[lomox]

Now with added SLAYYYYYYEEEERRR!!!!! Awesome!!!

Seriously, Kudos to CR for taking on Pepsi. That's uncommon. And yeah, this is probably nothing compared to what must keep a Twinkie immune to nuclear fallout.

[Mobster]

Great post Mobbie.

Thanks. I dislike ill informed scaremongering and this was one example.

[tammyp]

anyone know all 15 brands?

[LisaRD23]

Can't seem to find the entire list, but here are some more that were tested.

These are the ones that tested below dangerous levels.
The ones with stars tested with below measurable levels:
BSN Core Series Lean Dessert Protein Shake, Chocolate Fudge Pudding
BSN Core Series Syntha-6 Ultra Chocolate
GNC PRO PErformance AMP Amplified Wheybolic Extreme 60 Chocolate
Jillian Michaels Natural Whey Protein Vanilla Cream Shake
MuscleTech Nitro-Tech Hardcore Pro-Series Vanilla
*Optimum Nutrition Platinum Hydro whey Velocity Vanilla
*Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Extreme Milk Chocolate
*Six Star Muscle Professional Strength Whey Protein French Vanilla
*Solgar Whey to Go Natural Vanilla Bean