Heavy metals in protein drinks

A Consumer Reports magazine study, published in June 2010, by an independent laboratory found protein powders and drinks are beneficial for the most part, but risks do exist in the form of too much lead, arsenic, and cadmium.

Consumer Reports magazine asked an independent laboratory to look into popular supplement powders and drinks that help to build muscle by increasing the amount of protein in the body, which promotes efficient growth and repair of muscle tissue.

These protein powders and drinks, sometimes also called bodybuilding supplements, were found to be safe to drink, even by “teenagers and pregnant women.” However, risks were found to be associated with their use.

According to the NPR article  Heavy Metals in Protein Drinks Raise Concern,  the study found that  “… one kind of chocolate drink contains more lead and more cadmium than the daily allowances recommended by the  United States Pharmacopia (USP), the authority on these things. “

Specifically, Consumer Reports magazine highlighted this problem in its article “What’s in your protein drink,” which was published within the June 2010 issue of the magazine.

Consumer Reports magazine stated , ” Here are the average amounts of metals we found in three servings of these protein drinks.  The maximum limits for them in dietary supplements proposed by the U.S. Pharmacopeia are: arsenic (inorganic), 15 micrograms (µg) per day; cadmium, 5 µg; lead, 10 µg; mercury, 15 µg. Amounts at or exceeding those limits are in bold. Experts said three servings a day is common. “

Heavy metals are elements that exhibit metallic properties, including metals often contained in the groups metalloids, lanthanides, and actinides. Sometimes the term “toxic metal” is used as a synonym for heavy metal.

Humans need varous amounts of heavy metals. For instance, iron, cobalt, copper, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc are necessary for a healthy body. However, excessive amounts of such heavy metals can be damaging to the human body.

Other heavy metals, such as mercury and lead, are toxic metals, which do not benefit the human body and, instead, can be detrimental when they accumulate in the body over time.

Go to the Consumer Reports webpage for a listing of fifteen different protein powders and drinks and the amount of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury that each contains.

For instance, Muscle Milk Chocolate, which is made by CytoSport, contains 210 grams per three servings (this amount is commonly digested each day by consumers).

Muscle Milk Chocolate also has 96 grams/three servings of protein, along with 12.2 micrograms per three servings (µg/3 servings) of arsenic, 5.6 µg/3 servings of cadmium, 13.5 µg/3 servings of lead, and 0.7 µg/3 servings of mercury.