But do you need to be? Peer review is a lengthy and rigorous process in which a study is sent to a number of fellow researchers in the same field to be reviewed and critiqued before publication. BioChem also has a vegan version of their protein powder but it was not included in the test.
Among whey protein products 10% tested positive for lead.
The lack of scientific clarity and rigor also troubles me. Frankly, I don’t know the answer. The worst protein powders got a rating of just barely above 1 star by the Clean Label Project. Lead: After the Flint Water Scandal, where tap water supplies have been contaminated with extreme amounts of lead, this heavy metal is now coming to the forefront of more people’s consciousness.
They tested free of arsenic, mercury, cadmium, lead, residual solvents, pesticides, mycotoxins, melamine, antibiotics, BPA, and BPS (Bisphenol S). While there is nothing wrong with using protein powders, and these nutritional products are an excellent alternative or supplementation to a healthy diet, the Clean Label Project has some bad news for us all. But because arsenic, mercury, cadmium, and lead contaminate many foods, it is becoming harder to find all of its sources on our plates.
A few years ago, Mike Adams, The Health Ranger, tested their protein powders with three different labs, and the results were: contaminated with tungsten, lead and cadmium. Results showed 55 percent of powders tested had measurable levels of BPA. Publisher’s Platform: Jail Time – or at least a hefty fine – for the Tiger?
After finding out about these test results, The Garden of Life sent WTMJ the following statement about the study: “We will continue to dig into the methodology of this recent study. Plant-based protein powders contained on average 50% more lead than other protein sources. We are open, transparent, and most of all, clean.”.
Drinking Fountains May Contain Over 80x “Safe” Limit of Lead. (Read more about arsenic in rice and other foods, and how to protect yourself). The powders had, on average, twice the amount of lead per serving of other products. “There are no safe levels of lead because of the ability to cause long term adverse health effects,” said Bowen.
The study is in process of being peer-reviewed. Protein powders have become a kitchen staple not only for fitness enthusiasts, but many of us who need or simply like to add extra protein to our daily nutritional smoothies. So, should you be freaking out about lead in your protein powder?
Furthermore, there are some concerns regarding the methodology of the study itself, having been conducted by a 3rd party laboratory and the results revealed in a star-rating system that isn’t entirely clear. Mercury can damage the nervous, immune, and digestive systems; it can harm kidneys and lungs. The inorganic one can cause harm and lead to skin, lung, and bladder cancers, and other health conditions.
For example, the cocoa plant has the ability to absorb high levels of the heavy metal cadmium from the soil. Two of its organic products received 5 stars: Tera’s Whey Wild Blueberry Grass Fed Organic Whey Protein Tera’s Whey Bourbon Vanilla Grass Fed Organic Whey Protein, These products are USDA organic made from grass-fed sources. I’d also like to point out that 90% of you don’t need protein powder anyways! See our full disclaimer here.
All three products from BioChem received a perfect 5-star rating: BioChem Natural 100% Whey Protein BioChem Chocolate 100% Whey Protein BioChem Vanilla 100% Whey Protein. Testing further revealed that about 10 percent of whey-based protein powders contained lead levels above health guidelines. According to one of the product’s label, BioChem is non-GMO, gluten-free, free of artificial hormones, soy free, and 99% lactose free (not fully vegan). In the case of the protein powder study, Clean Label Project has yet to disclose who funded this study or any conflicts of interest. The director of operations and quality at the testing laboratory Ellipse Analytics said there could be several explanations as to why the powders have excessive levels of heavy metals. Because of this pollution, it is important to periodically detox yourself from heavy metals. Most brands undergo rigorous quality control and testing by their own virtue, and there have been very few cases of safety recalls with protein powders.
Customers are calling it a great post-workout protein; good for people with lactose-intolerance; and a nice addition to shakes and smoothies.
Jarrow Formulas also received all 5 stars for two out of three of their products: Jarrow Formulas Chocolate Whey Protein Jarrow Formulas Vanilla Grass Fed Whey Protein.
It failed the test for cadmium and lead.
Good news coming out of the research was the finding that no egg-based protein powders tested contained lead. They are in our water, coffee, vitamins, toothpaste, and so many other products. In a way, I think this is just another sensationalist nutrition headline that’s spun in way to be clickbait. If you’re worried, I’d advise turning to whole foods like edamame, lentils, tofu, beans, hemp seeds, and peanut butter to boost your daily protein intake. Our proteins are the cleanest, most thoroughly tested, third-party inspected and certified products available on the market.
This is especially true in the United States where there may be a higher incidence of heavy metals in the soil of some regions.”. The ingredients are few: “organic dairy whey protein concentrate, organic vanilla, organic sunflower lecithin, organic stevia leaf extract.”. Lead was found to contaminate not only our water supplies, but food as well.
She is a vegetarian of more than two decades, and is passionate about real food. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), A Nutritionist Explains: How to Choose Supplements, 10 Plant-Based Foods Surprisingly High in Iron, The Ultimate Guide to Vegetarian Pregnancy Nutrition, 22 (Vegan!)
The study analyzed the most popular protein powders on the market today, screening them for 130 different toxins.
All plant proteins are going to contain some level of heavy metals, and since organic products are generally less processed in order to preserve nutritional quality, they may end up with higher levels of residual toxins – but again, not necessarily at unsafe levels. The Clean Label Project measured the levels of heavy metals, BPA, pesticides, and other contaminants (more than 150 in all) in protein powders and … It also contaminates many food items, such as chocolate. Results showed 55 percent of powders tested had measurable levels of BPA.
eval(ez_write_tag([[970,250],'althealthworks_com-banner-1','ezslot_3',103,'0','0']));One product received 3 stars: Sunwarrior Warrior Blend Vanilla Plant-Based Organic Protein. Only one product by VEGA received a 3-star rating, and that is: VEGA One Plant-Based Coconut Almond All-In-One Shake. It’s interesting that organic products yielded higher amounts of heavy metals than non-organic, and this is likely due to the source.
Clean Label Project Director Jackie Bowen said the toxins found in the plant products could put people who follow vegetarian diets at heightened risk of health issues if they are regularly consuming the plant-based powders.
But recent tests have shown that the products is still unsafe for a different reasons: heavy metals. Each of this is described in detail at Clean Label Project’s website. (The information on the methodology of the study can be found here). When purchasing any product, it is important to look for “BPA-free” on the packaging label. Garden of Life with 1.8 stars received third place for the worst protein powder among those contaminated with heavy metals according to the tests.
Katie is a university-trained nutritionist and professional writer based in Stockholm, Sweden.
When it comes to scientific studies, there’s a standard protocol that’s in place to protect the validity of the science.
Taking Chlorella daily is also a gentle way to slowly detoxify. The worst foods with this type of contamination were found to be: fruit juices (apple and pear), root vegetables (sweet potatoes and carrots), and cookies made from arrowroot. The products are labeled as using grass-fed milk, non-GMO, free of hormones, pesticides, or chemicals. This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to treat, prevent or diagnose any diseases. Heavy metals are naturally occurring in the environment and found in whole foods. As a vegetarian of over 25 years, I’m watching this study with interest. Lead poisoning from high amounts of lead can be fatal.