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Protein Powders May Be Doing More Harm than Good

Protein powders have become increasingly popular in recent years among a wide range of people — from professional athletes to those too busy to grab a full meal. They assume that supplementing their diet with sports nutrition powders is a safe and easy way to add muscle faster and recover more quickly. Many of these products are advertised as “natural” or “organic” and promise immediate and dramatic results. But are these supplements actually safe? In addition to protein, these powders often contain potentially harmful chemicals, and some are even contaminated with toxins and metals. How could that be? Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, no dietary supplements, including…

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  Don't panic, but there might be lead in your protein powder

I mean, it's not good. I will say that. Given that, some of the products we tested are fine to have occasionally, and even the ones with the highest lead levels are far below the concentration needed to cause immediate harm. The real risk with lead is, even if you are exposed to kind of low levels consistently over time, that lead could kind of build up in the body and eventually cause problems farther down the line. So I'd say the advice is more scrutinize your protein shakes and take a look at what you're using to make an informed decision rather than immediately freak out.

 Some US protein powders contain high levels of lead. Can I tell if mine is safe?

So should I limit my intake? Probably, but not just because of concerns about lead. We simply don’t know how much lead is in each scoop of protein powder, so it’s difficult to make recommendations about whether these products are safe to use daily. Levels will vary between products and even between containers. Occasional use is likely to be safe, but using it daily or more often could lead to unsafe intakes of lead.

 The protein craze is heavy metal, literally: bombshell investigation finds unsafe lead amounts in two-thirds of top powders for sale

You can never have too much of a good thing, the saying goes. For months now, Americans treated protein that way. What started as a fringe supplement used mostly by “gym bros and fitness-obsessed teens,” as Consumer Reports journalist Paris Martineau put it, has transformed into a full-blown mass-market wellness movement. There’s protein pastas, protein cereals, protein sodas, and even Starbucks protein cold foam. But an extensive investigation by Consumer Reports (CR) published on Oct. 14 reveals an inconvenient truth: much of this protein comes contaminated with toxic heavy metals.

Previously Featured

Protein Powder Is Kind of a Scam Unless You’re a Bodybuilder

Most people don’t need the massive influx of protein provided by protein powders. Unless you’re really trying to bulk up to become a muscle monster whose lats are so big that you have a hard time wiping your own butt, you probably don’t need to put a whole scoop of protein powder in your morning breakfast smoothie. In fact, you probably don’t need any protein powder at all.

A study found lead in popular protein powders. Here's why you shouldn't panic

Consumer Report's study adds to a growing body of research into heavy metals in a variety of everyday products, from cinnamon to tampons. And it's not the first to examine protein powders: The nonprofit Clean Label Project tested 160 products from 70 brands earlier this year and found that 47% of them exceeded California Proposition 65 safety thresholds for toxic metals. The findings come at a time when many Americans are making part of their regular routines amidst the country's protein craze.

Is Protein Powder Healthy?

As I learned more and started eating a whole food diet, I started to question my decision to use protein powder on such a regular basis, and I began to research the ingredients they were made from.

New Study Doubles Down on 'Troubling' Presence of Lead in Popular Protein Powders — It's Gotten 'Even Worse'

A new report continues to highlight the "troubling" presence of lead in some protein powders and shakes as the products' popularity remains high. Earlier this year, a Clean Label Project report found that well over half of the plant-based protein powders, organic protein powders and chocolate-flavored protein powders tested were over the California Proposition 65 safety thresholds for toxic metals. Now, a study from Consumer Reports reaffirms the high presence of lead in many protein powders, calling the results "troubling."

No Whey, Man. I’ll Pass on the Protein Powder

If there is one thing in the sport of bodybuilding that is as common as weight training, it is the use of supplements. No supplement is more widely consumed than protein powder. The powders of choice among mainstream bodybuilders are whey and casein, which are proteins derived from cow’s milk. In fact, these are the substances of choice for most protein powder consumers worldwide.

Protein powder, shake, and supplement: how much can our body actually use?

Once only used by bodybuilders, more and more people are using sports supplements as a regular part of their health and fitness regime – and the industry is booming worldwide. Protein shakes, powders, bars, and pills are being marketed to the average gym-goer as an essential part of getting fit.

Protein powders: Are they bad for your health?

Luckily there have been some trials that can guide us. For the most part they tend to show that protein powders can indeed help to build muscle, as many claim. But the catch is that this only works if you also do some form of resistance exercise, such as using weight machines. If the muscles aren’t exercised, the extra protein won't do anything.

Protein powders: When should you use them?

Many people consume protein powder supplements, especially in older age or to bulk up muscles. Are they a good thing to be taking?

That Protein Shake You’re Chugging Might Be Filled With Lead

The authors of the report stress that there’s no immediate danger. But over time, even small amounts of lead can hang out in your bones, causing neurological and developmental issues, especially for kids and pregnant women. The root problem seems to be that protein powders live in a regulatory Wild West. The federal government really should be more tightly controlling its contents, but that doesn’t seem like it’s going to happen anytime soon.

The hidden dangers of protein powders

They may contain added sugar, calories, or even toxic chemicals.

Can You Get Too Much Protein?

Protein has achieved a venerated status in the dietary world for everything from building muscle to preventing weight gain. But can you get too much of a good thing?

Health Risks of Protein Drinks

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

How Healthy Is Protein Powder? Here's What You Need To Know

Let's assume that you choose, for lack of a better term, a healthy protein powder. Is that bad for you? Experts say no, with a caveat: Protein powder should not replace all the real, whole foods in our diet.

How to Build More Muscle with Less Protein

Research suggests that higher protein meals can help you lose weight, slow aging, and speed recovery. But what if you don't want to—or can't—eat that much protein?

I Stopped Drinking Protein Powder For These 3 Reasons

“Many powders also contain dairy-based proteins like whey or casein, which can be problematic for those with even mild lactose intolerance or dairy sensitivity. Additionally, protein in high doses—especially in a liquid form—can be harder to digest if someone has compromised digestive function or low stomach acid.”

Is protein powder good for you?

To figure out how much protein you need daily, there’s a simple equation you can use to find out roughly how many grams of protein you should be eating every day. All you have to do is: Convert your weight into kilograms by dividing your weight in pounds by 2.2. Multiply that number by 0.8. Not all protein powders are created equal. Supplements, such as protein powders, don’t require FDA approval for marketing. Because of this, they may contain less protein, more sugar and differing amounts of other ingredients — versus what the label says. Look for a protein powder that’s NSF Certified for Sport (even if you’re not an athlete), which means a product has undergone third-party testing to ensure that what’s listed on the package is actually in the product.

Is Protein Powder Healthy? Here's What a Dietitian Says

Protein powders are popular—but are they healthy? We look into the pros and cons of using protein powders, as well as what research says about them.

Is Protein Powder Safe During Pregnancy

Is it OK to use protein powder when you're pregnant? Find out how much protein you and your baby need, what the best sources are, and how to make sure you're getting enough.

List of Protein Powder Brands Containing Lead: Consumer Reports

Among these, plant-based powders showed the highest levels of contamination, while dairy-based formulas generally registered lower amounts. However, contamination was widespread across several types and brands, with some popular names included in the tests.

Our Protein Obsession Is Getting Out of Control

If there’s one word in modern diet parlance that immediately draws a bridge with leanness, energy, and high performance, it's protein. We're having a wild love affair with it.

Protein Overdose Blamed in Sudden Death of Bodybuilder

Now, her family is calling for tighter regulations on the protein supplements industry.

Protein Powder and the Promise of Transformation

Though protein powder itself is not driving men to disordered eating, it is caught up in the same web of ideas and beliefs about masculinity, nutrition, and exercise that can be taken to more disturbing extremes.

So what’s the story on protein powder?

Ideally the protein content comes from whey that started in the organic milk of grass-fed cows. Whey is preferable as a protein source for its remarkable ability to help repair muscle damaged or stressed during exercise and as a potent raw material for glutathione production; glutathione is the most potent anti-oxidant we make naturally in our bodies...

The Best Protein Powders Blend Easily and Taste Fantastic

Dietitian-approved options that’ll give your smoothies, shakes, and baked goods a boost.

The Ultimate Guide to Protein Supplements

Flip through any exercise magazine and, judging by all the attention protein supplements get, it appears protein and fitness somehow go hand-in-hand . And it is true: Protein can help promote a healthy weight and help muscles recover after a good workout. But what exactly is protein, and when it comes to supplements, which type of protein is best?

Weighing protein powders

"The best approach is to focus on high-protein foods first and use powders here and there to fill in the gaps," says Oliveira. "A general recommendation to follow is that powders should make up to one-third of your daily amount, if desired."

Resources

5 Reasons Why You Might be Using the Wrong Protein Powder

With hundreds of nutrition companies selling different variations that claim to be the end-all-be-all, it can be overwhelming to select the right one. The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all method for choosing the right protein powder. It's easy to jump on the bandwagon of buying a particular protein because of a sale, the gym bros say you'll get huge muscle gains, or your favorite social media influencer swears by it.

9 Best Protein Powders for Women, According to Dietitians and Tested by Us

These tasty picks make it easy to load up on this essential macronutrient.

The Best and Worst Protein Powders

With so many options of protein powders, it seems like choosing the right supplement requires just as much skill as a wine connoisseur.

The best protein powders

While one should get protein naturally through specific dietary decisions, many people have turned to powders and supplements to get a little extra protein when their diet isn’t cutting it. These proteins are especially suitable for established athletes or people who work out frequently, but many can benefit.

Top 10 Protein Supplements

LabDoor analyzed 73 best-selling protein supplements in the United States. Our analysis quantified protein, fat, sugar, cholesterol, calcium, sodium, lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury content and recorded presence/absence data for 63 inactive ingredients.