Is Your Protein Powder Toxic?

I just posted up the second part of my Bodybuilding Supplement Video Review Guide below:

One of the main issues that I cover in this video is with regards to protein powder safety. Especially with the recent uproar over certain protein powders containing toxic levels of Heavy Metals.

This is a serious topic and it has a lot of bodybuilding and fitness enthusiasts concerned about whether or not they should stop drinking protein supplements all together!

This is something that you really NEED to watch right now, especially if you are consuming protein supplements on a regular basis.

After you watch the video, please leave me a comment below. I’d love to hear your feedback about this…

Toxic Protein Powder!

About The Author

leehayward

Lee Hayward is a former competitive bodybuilder and muscle building coach who has been online coaching people since 1997. His work has been featured in several international magazines such as: FLEX, Muscle Insider, Muscle Mag International, Testosterone, Ironmag, and Forbes. Lee's main focus right now is with helping men over 40 - who don't want to be fat anymore - lose the gut, build muscle, and get back in shape. If you're ready to "Start Again" for the last time and finally build a lean healthy body that you can be proud of, just e-mail Lee to discuss a realistic action plan that's right for you... lee@leehayward.com

28 Comments

  • John

    I’m glad you’ve decided to share some information regarding protein powder ingredients and manufacturing. I’ve always been careful with which protein supplements I consume. Generally, I think most people focus more on the brand’s nutritional facts in order to maximize protein intake per scoop, rather than the ingredients list. The majority of protein brands on the market will contain unhealthy ingredients like aspartame, acesulfame K, acesulfame potassium, artificial flavours, etc. In my opinion, protein powders which are sold at health food stores are the safest, healthiest option. I’m currently trying a Pea protein powder which is 100% Non-GMO, 28 grams of protein per scoop, but more importantly, contains only 1 ingredient. The downside is that it has a terrible taste. Having said that, with natural protein powder there is no worry of arsenic, lead or any other metal.

  • Michael R.

    Even though I would agree with you that many companies buy their protein from the same source. I don’t agree that all protein powders are created equal. The real trick is to be able to read the nutrition label. If you look at MOST protein powders out there they use a lot of Whey Concentrate and a lesser portion of whey isolate. Isopure ONLY uses whey isolate so they have to be different at least in the composition of the proteins.

    Also, in your video you lead people to believe that by consuming large amounts of chicken or fish or meat or whatever will have the same effect as a whey supplement when this is also false. 5 grams of protein found in an egg or chicken is not equivalent to 5 grams of a whey supplement. The key difference is the absorption rate by the muscles. You would have to consume significantly more than the amount stated to get similar benefits. Similarly Isolate is superior to Concentrate in this regard. That is why wal-mart protein is 15 bucks a canister. It is loaded with the lesser whey concentrate so they can say it has 52 grams of protein per serving… it’s very misleading if you don’t know how to correctly interpret the labels. Whey isolate has a better absorption rate than the concentrate and therefore more is utilized by the muscles.

  • Great stuff again Lee. Really informative. I agree with what you said regarding all the protein powders being basically the same.

    I never stick with the exact same protein powder, but I do make sure that whatever powder I purchase, that it falls into the same macronutrient breakdown.

    Thanks man

  • Sharath

    Thanks lee.. that was really informative.. gud 2 knw d truth about the supplement companies

  • It is so important that you know that your suppliment that you take is safe, good info Lee.

  • I’ve been telling friends about the cheap protein powder they have been buying for a couple of years now. I’m in Sydney, and yeah the company they are buying it from might be Australian, but the country the powder is being sourced from have little or no standards to meet.
    I buy my powder, just WPI with no flavours or additives, from an Aussie company that source it from New Zealand. NZ has some of the most pure dairy products available in the world. Let’s hope it stays that way after the disastrous oil spill off the NZ coast a few weeks ago.

  • denis

    Great stuff lee i really agree that but not really 100% coz each company need to make there product to be on top stand has a leading company so we consider about the manufacurer labels

  • vakar ahmed

    Hello sir
    I just want to say that it is a really great information for all people. and You are doing very well because in your style I find a help of all world society.

    Thank you sir
    vakar

  • stephen

    what three protein powders contained high levels of heavy metals?

  • Nice vid Lee

    Keep em coming

  • Brian

    Hi Lee. Thanks for the information. In your video, you say that we should get about 40-50 grams of protein per serving. I’ve heard some say that the body absorbs only about 30g effectively at one time. If that’s true, what happens to the rest? Does it just not get used, or does it contribute to fat? Or is the 30g limit not proven? Thanks again.

  • Jerry

    Thanks again for the informative video. I realize that you unselfishly devote a lot of time & effort into research and preparation of your videos and want you to know that it is very much appreciated. Your professional, factual approach to the science of bodybuilding causes me to value and respect your opinions and conclusions.

    I also appreciate the comments of your readers which are at times very informative. Apparently there is much truth to the argument that a healthy body & good nutrition contribute to a healthy mind, making the muscle-head stereotype a myth.

  • David Cooprider

    Lee,
    Thank You for the info. It is always good to get more info on supplements.

  • Nate

    Hey Lee, thanks for another great post!

  • Dan

    stephen,

    EAS Myoplex Original Dark Chocolate Shake (liqued) over in Arsenic & Cadmium
    Muscle Milk Chocolate over in Cadmium & Lead
    Muscle Milk Vanilla Creme over in Lead

    A amazon customer pic from the consumer reports shows the whole comparison chart. Some large differences.
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-media/product-gallery/B0030FU6VA/ref=cm_ciu_pdp_images_0?ie=UTF8&index=0

  • Brian:
    Hi Lee.Thanks for the information.In your video, you say that we should get about 40-50 grams of protein per serving.I’ve heard some say that the body absorbs only about 30g effectively at one time.If that’s true, what happens to the rest?Does it just not get used, or does it contribute to fat?Or is the 30g limit not proven?Thanks again.

    Let’s just say you have a 100 pound woman and a 250 pound man…
    Do you think both of these people can only absorb 30 grams of protein at any given time?

    Or another example, let’s say you have a 1.6 liter Honda Civic and a 6.2 liter Chevy Camaro… Do you think both of these cars are going to burn the same amount of gas?

    Obviously a bigger person (or bigger engine) is going to burn A LOT more fuel and the same applies for protein. So yes, some small people may only be able to consume 30 grams of protein, but bigger people will need to consume much more.

    My advice is to take your lean body weight and multiply that by 1.5
    that is how much total protein you should eat per day. Divide that protein intake over 5-6 meals per day.

    So to put some real numbers here:

    200 pounds lean body mass X 1.5 = 300 grams of protein daily

    300 grams of protein / 6 meals = 50 grams of protein per meal.

  • Jerry,

    David Cooprider,

    Nate,

    Suneet – SebastianFitnessSolutions.com,

    vakar ahmed,

    denis,

    Mike,

    Thanks for the comments guys, they are much appreciated… 🙂

  • Thanks, Big Lee! This is my 1st time hearing about this, the possibility of metal in protein powders, however, I am not worried because I’m sure the natural whey protein powders I buy at wal-Mart & other stores have been checked before hitting the counters. I don’t like to get alarmed like many do at news of some possible event happening. I’ll use examples like the “rumored” so-called end of world nonsense, “jibberish” by that so-called “know-it-all” & we all know, i think by now that he’s pretty much an idiot. The World will NEVER end, God made it & what He creates is Forever. Now, BACK to this news on Protein powders. I doubt my store-bought all-natural whey protein powders have any metal in them & I was going to buy another 2-lb. cannister in a few days. I get “Body Fortress” Whey Protein Powder in “New” Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor, “Yumm”! Thank you, Big Lee for the heads-up on this & I appreciate your concern & keeping us up-to-date on new natural bodybuilding tips. Take care & have a Great day, week, month & beyond -& “Happy Halloween”! Hey, I’ll be “live” on “WGN Morning News” on Monday, OCT. 31st for my annual “Halloween” appearance & preview of my new, upcoming fun monster” movie! I always like to “flex” my guns(arms) at the close of my appearance(as seen in this from my appearance last year on WGN): http://youtu.be/iQXtdwEJQsA It’ll be televised live from Chicago’s WGN-TV Studios(Home of “CREATURE Features” & The BOZO Show), my 5-minute segment will be on between 7-9 am CST(8-10 am ET) Mon. OCT. 31st, Halloween morning or see it on youtube & at their website after the show. Your “Fiend” & fellow All-Natural bodybuilder, David ROCK Nelson. I’m on Facebook & Youtube.

  • eric

    i have heard that there is different apsorbtion rates for different types of protein(concentrate or isolate)and from different store brands. how about some info on this

  • I enjoyed that video Lee. You answered some of the questions that I had on my mind about protein powder…thanks Bro

  • eric:
    i have heard that there is different apsorbtion rates for different types of protein(concentrate or isolate)and from different store brands. how about some info on this

    Generally the high quality whey isolates will absorb and be utilized the best. When choosing protein supplements always go with the fastest and easily digestible types.

    Your solid food protein is slow digesting protein. So if you are eating lots of slow digesting protein via food, you don’t need to supplement more slow digesting protein.

  • eric

    leehayward,

    thanks for the info. how about some examples of brands. right now i go to gnc, or i get isolate protien online at pure bulk. it is half the cost but dont know the quality.

  • I occasionally comment,nonetheless your beat caught me. that’s acutely great

  • eric

    you didnt say if whey protien concintrate or isolate was better

  • eric:
    you didnt say if whey protien concintrate or isolate was better

    ===========================

    The actual protein is the same in both an isolate & concentrate. The only difference is with the isolate the fat and lactose have been filtered out so you are left with the “isolated whey protein”. I personally use the isolate myself, but if you are on a tight budget and don’t mind consuming some extra fat and lactose then concentrate protein is fine.

  • Wow I never knew this stuff Lee! This has really got me thinking. Thanks for the heads up (glad I just found your site). Jue

  • Ericka

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    I’d state. This is the first time I frequented your web page and thus far? I amazed with the research you made to make this actual post extraordinary. Great job!

  • Jerrom

    You had gathered a important topic here, most of body builders get health complication due to overdose of Protein powder. Protein powder is necessary supplement and always been taken under trainer or counselor prescription.

    Thanks