Heavy Metals in Protein Drinks Raise Concern

[HuckleB]

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2010/06/01/127350211/heavy-metals-found-in-protein-drinks-raise-concern

" Arsenic, cadmium, and lead.

It sounds like the title of a madcap old Capra movie, but there's nothing funny about these three heavy metals. They have been found in worrisome amounts in some popular muscle-building protein drinks, and they can have harmful effects on your health.

For example, an independent lab commissioned by Consumer Reports found that three servings of one kind of chocolate drink contains more lead and more cadmium than the daily allowances recommended by the U.S. Pharmacopia, the authority on these things. (Click here for full chart of products cited in the report.)

Andrew Shao, senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs at the Council for Responsible Nutrition, a supplement industry group, told Consumer Reports that protein powders and drinks are a safe option, even for teens and pregnant women — the ones frequently targeted for nutrition boosting.

But the extra protein may not outweigh the risks, said Michael Harbut, director of the Environmental Cancer Initiative at the Karmanos Cancer Institute in Royal Oak, Michigan. Cadmium can cause serious kidney damage, too much lead cause neurological problems, and we all know why arsenic is a mystery novelist's favorite poison, don't we?

..."


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What is it going to take to get some real regulation of this industry?

x(

[Art_from_Ark]

1. What the hell are heavy metals doing in beverages?

Lead? Arsenic? Cadmium? :wtf:

[mzmolly]

2. A familiar argument has been recycled to defend these products it seems:

Pickett also notes that these metals occur in nature. "It would be uncommon, if not impossible, not to detect the trace amounts reportedly found in any agricultural product, such as dairy products, fruits and vegetables," he said.

Regardless of the fact that harmful substances are found in the environment, I don't wish to consume them, in any fashion.

[Celebration]

3. unfortunately

they are in a lot of drinking water, as well.

[mzmolly]

4. Which explains the water filter marktet.

Now to question if the plastic on the I use filter is PVC. ;) OY!

[supernova]

5. Well crap, I've used EAS

before and liked it a lot.

It's on the list as having 16.9 mg of arsenic/3 servings.

But, I've never used it more than 1x/day.

If I'm not going out, I prefer to have a protein shake in the evening. It really curbs my appetite.

I try to stay away from soy until I can get my thyroid checked. Trying to figure out what I can replace EAS with. :shrug: