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.
According to the July 2010 Consumer Reports, our protein shakes may not be what they seem. They tested 15 brands to see exactly what were in them and found some shocking results. Here is a link to the 15 brands they tested.
Now if you looked at the list you will notice these are the mainstream brands celebrities are promoting, are at the local GNC, or in every health club. They are the biggest money makers and have the most marketing dollars behind them so of course many places will sell them without a concern of what really is in them.
Here is what Consumer Reports found: “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.”
That’s a little nerve racking to me to know that some of these brands have high levels of heavy metal. They talk about teens overusing some of these with 3-4 shakes a day. I can remember back when I first started lifting and the very shakes you see on the list I used to take because of the results they promised. Luckily over the years, I did a lot of research to find Shaklee to get my supplement needs because of their quality control, clinical testing, and natural ingredients. I rather pay for quality up front then pay down the line with some major issues.
So what does this mean to you? Are protein shakes really bad for you? Here’s my opinion. Although the results Consumer Reports stated are shocking, I would like to see some deeper investigation and additional studies on these supplements. Sometimes these articles and reports can send us in a frenzy.
Would I love to see everyone eating all natural foods prepared everyday for them to eat? Of COURSE! But that’s not realistic. We live in a different age right now where people are so busy that sometimes we could use those quick meal replacements to hold us over. It’s not that protein shakes are bad, it’s that there may be some brands out there that are bad for you.
I highly suggest everyone look into the quality controls of different brands and manufacturer to make your decision on which one you will go with. I personally like Shaklee and have all my clients use it, but there are other good companies out there as well.
What we tell our clients is not to depend on these supplements but to use them in case you were not able to prepare your meals or you are too busy at work to eat a full meal. We teach clients how to get their protein from natural sources with simple meal plans that are quick and easy.
Let’s face it, the majority of people are not bodybuilders or competitive athletes. You do not require the load of protein intake that those athletes are taking in. Depending on your lifestyle and fitness program, we generally range protein intake for clients from 23%-35% of their caloric intake.
To give you an example of how that looks, let’s say we have Jane at 140 pounds who is required to consumer 1,500 calories. She is working out 3x a week with weights and 2x a week doing cardio with a suggested protein intake of 30%. 30% of 1,500 is 450 calories from protein. Protein has 4 calories per gram so we divide 450 by 4 and we get 112.5 grams of protein a day for Jane (this is for example purposes and should not be followed. Seek guidance from a professional before determining your intake.)
So if something like this shocks you, there are two options. Either stop taking protein shakes all together and really learn the art of cooking and preparing or do your research into the companies that really care about putting quality ingredients in their products.
Compare brands, get on the phone with their support team, look at the studies that have been done on these brands and make your decision.
I hope this was helpful in determining a solution for your nutritional needs. For further assistance you can download a free report “How To Master Your Metabolism”
Dedicated to your results,
Rahsheen Slaughter
Breakthroughs To Fitness
Roslyn Personal Trainer
