Alert: Protein Drinks

For those who get consumer reports, you'll find a few pages of information related to protein. The main thing is the TOXICITY of things.

CR purchased 15 protein powders and tested them for arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury.
The results showed a considerable range, but levels in THREE products were a concern because 3 serv could result in daily exposure to the above.

They found that THREE daily servings of RTD Myoplex original choc provides 16.9mcgs of arsenic, exceeding the USP limit of 15mcg per day and an average of 5.1mcg of cadmium which is just above the USP limit of 5mcgs.

The samples of choc Muscle Milk powder they tested contained all 4 heavy metals, and levels of 3 metals in the product were among the highest of all in their tests. Cadmium at 5.6mcg in 3 serv, and lead at 13.5mcg and arsenic at 12.2mcg

Highest in categories per 3 serv...

EAS RTD Choc... 16.9mcg arsenic, and 5.1mcg for cadmium
Muscle Milk Choc... 5.6mcg cadmium and 13.5mcg lead
Muscle Milk Vanilla... 12.2mcg lead

Products with 0 of the above in all samples tested... NONE

The best were Optimum Hydro Whey Velocity Van 1.5mcg arsenic and 0 of the others
Six Star Whey Protein French Van Cream was 2.3mcg arsenic and 0 of the others
Solgar Whey to Go in Natural Van bean was 0.6mcg arsenic and 0 of the others

So oddly, Solgar was the best (and I am sure the least purchased)

Alex,

Care to chime in?

I'm hoping our PF items are along the lines of Solgar if not better. Knowing the above, how can we ever know what is safe to consume? Are we left with organic eggs, milk, and meats?

I've never used a Solgar brand protein, however my wife is very happy with their supplements. We used to buy Jarrow branded P.S. but have switched the Solgar-branded P.S as it is cheaper and seems to be more effective (for seizure control).

JMTC

There is another thread on this down in the main forum. Alex discusses this a bit, pointing out the fact that the products with the higher amounts were RTDs and MRP powders...where there can be lots of 'other' ingredients besides protein. The whey protein powders actually weren't too bad.

See this was my thought. OTHER ingredients besides just protein. Hopefully that is what it is. The sad thing is, you know there are people consuming probably more than 3 serv in some of the powder forms.

I also see the other thread in the main forum. Thanks!