Health Alert: Protein Shakes and Powders With High Levels of Lead

Protein shakes and powders have become a big market here in the US, and a lot of people consume them regularly.  The problem is, some of them apparently shouldn't be.

What's wrong with protein shakes?

I'm not saying to stop drinking them or to stop using protein powder supplements, just be careful about which ones and how often you use them.  Consumer Reports recently tested twenty-three different brands of protein powders and pre-made shakes, and nearly all were found to have high levels of heavy metals, particularly lead.

Two products that were tested came back with levels of lead in a single serving 1200-1600% higher than what is considered a "safe" amount of lead to ingest per day.  As in, one serving has more lead than is safe to consume in an entire week.

Other products reported back with lead levels that were still high, but not so high that Consumer Reports recommends avoiding the product altogether.  Just limit consumption to once or twice a week.

Heavy metals such as cadmium and arsenic were also found in some of the tested products, also at levels well above "safe" to consume.

Overall, plant-based protein was found to have the highest levels of heavy metals, followed by beef, then dairy.

It's not all doom and gloom though.  Several products were found to have low enough levels that they were "safe" to consume daily, and one passed with flying colors, with no lead at all.

Seriously, check their report, linked above, and see for yourself.

Holy cow!  What's going to happen?

That remains to be seen.  The FDA doesn't regulate nutritional supplements like it does over-the counter or prescription medicines.  Consumer Reports has shared their findings with the FDA, so we'll have to wait and see what happens.

Either way, just remember:  caveat emptor.  Let the buyer beware.