Consumer Reports tests find traces of heavy metals in some protein supplements

Walk into almost any health store or large gym and you can't help but notice the enormous tubs of protein supplements. Popular with bodybuilders and other athletes, the products are often marketed as a safe way to get extra protein in your diet. Consumer Reports would respectfully like to disagree.

The online site released a report Tuesday in which outside lab tests were run on 15 different protein drinks (ready-to-drink liquids and powder mixes) and found that some contained contaminants such as cadmium, arsenic, lead and mercury — most in the low to moderate range. But the authors of the investigation point out that levels were high enough in three of the supplements that if three servings were consumed daily, levels could surpass the maximum recommended limits for one or two of the contaminants.

The report found that three daily servings of EAS Myoplex Original Rich Dark Chocolate Shake have an average 16.9 micrograms of arsenic, which is over the suggested U.S. Pharmacopeia limit of 15 micrograms per day. Three servings also contain an average of 5.1 micrograms of cadmium, just over the USP limit of 5 micrograms. Three daily servings of some types of Muscle Milk products also exceeded suggested limits for certain heavy metals. The report points out that shellfish and some organ meats, such as liver, can be high in cadmium, as can plants that absorb phosphate fertilizers. According to the Food and Drug Administration, milk, yogurt, eggs, red meat and poultry can be good sources of heavy metal-free protein.

Consuming too much protein, which can be done if some supplements are overused, can lead to health problems, according to Consumer Reports. Most women need about 46 grams of protein per day and most men need about 56 grams, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The report will also be available in the July issue of the magazine Consumer Reports.

— Jeannine Stein

Photo: Some athletes, such as body builders, consume protein supplements. Photo credit: Tara Todras-Whitehill / Associated Press.

Comments

[CytoSport, Inc.]

NSF International reported that their own test results “do not reflect the concentrations stated in the Consumer Reports article. NSF International uses validated test methods and is confident in the test results and its certifications.”

To view the full response from NSF International, please visit:
http://www.nsf.org/business/newsroom/pdf/NSF_Statement_Consumer_Reports_Protein_Drinks.pdf

[CytoSport, Inc.]

For more information in response to the Consumer Reports article on Protein Drinks, please visit:

http://www.cytosport.com/news/press/state-by-greg-pickett-founder-cytosport-inc

For more information on NSF International and their Dietary Supplement testing certification programs, please visit:

http://www.nsf.org/business/dietary_supplements/index.asp?program=DietarySups

[RyGuy]

If you are consuming 3 or more sevings of a protein supplement per day, you are relying much too heavily on supplements for your daily protein intake and not enough on whole, fresh foods (eggs, lean meats, dairy, legumes). One serving from the average protein supplement contains anywhere from 20-40 grams of protein. In my opinion, you shouldn't be taking more than 2 servings per day, nor should the average male or female need that much (unless your rate of protein synthesis has been altered by other 'supplements' of an illegal nature...i.e. steriods)

[proteinfactory]

As I suspected they (consumer reports) bunched RTD's (the EAS drink), Weight gainers or MRP's (Muscle Milk and BSN), and whey protein together. When technically they should have been separate. (Just shows you how dumb and misleading consumer reports is!!) Notice how the whey protein shakes were tested to contain barely any heavy metal counts. Finally (and this doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure this one out) notice how all the HIGHER counts were in the CHOCOLATE drinks. All of the vanilla drinks were very low. So what does this tell me. That chocolate flavoring and/or cocoa contains higher levels of heavy metals.

Bottom line. Drink all the PROTEIN (know the difference) you want. Consumer reports "protein drink" report is misleading.

FYI, I will be posting the heavy metal counts (if any) for my proteins. They are currently coming in. But everyone must know this. There is HEAVY METALS in ALL foods we eat, including bottled water. If you want a heavy does of heavy metals eat some seafood.

http://proteinfactory.com/pfboards/showthread.php?t=3549

Sincerely,

Alex Rogers

President

Proteinfactory.com

[Protein Shakes]

Is it really a problem? I mean tuna contains high levels of heavy metals like mercury, but it only matters when people eat more than 4 tins per week over a long period of time. If someone had 6 protein shakes per day, every day for a year, would they show symptoms? Also, did the supplements companies admit the heavy metal content on the label? which brands are okay and which aren't? Seems like a lot of hype for no reason to me.