How to Pick a Safe Protein Powder if Heavy Metals Concern You, According to Dietitians
No matter where you have recently turned, there seems to be a food recall or a news headline that tells you that new research has found harmful chemicals in our food. Recently, protein powder was in the news, as a nonprofit organization Clean Project Label reported that they tested 160 protein powders on the market and found that the powder was found 47% exceeds the safety threshold for toxic metals in California Proposition 65. More specifically, the results show that plant-based protein powder has three times the lead as whey-based powder, while chocolate-flavored lead content is four times that of vanilla. Additionally, the organic version has three times higher lead content, twice as much as cadmium (another metal), rather than its non-organic content.
Naturally, this can be shocking because we try to eat a comprehensive diet and we can only control the quality of the food. But it is also crucial to take a little time to learn about these types of research, and to perform these studies and some of the things that data means in a grand plan.
We spoke with several dietitians to determine if we should focus on these findings and how to choose safe protein powder.
Study on heavy metals in protein powder
Knowing that research to trust can be tricky. According to Sports Nutritionist Kelly JonesThe study is an independent report that is not published in peer-reviewed journals and has not passed the approval process of the Institutional Review Board. “Since the clean label project did not reveal any protein powders tested, and only advised to pay only its independently certified brand, I do not recommend that my customers, audiences or consumers be concerned about this research as a whole,” she explained.
Clara’s noseA registered dietitian noted that the clean labeling program did not disclose its methodology or risk provider, which tells you how many contaminants are used to assess potential health risks associated with exposure. “The lack of methods means their findings cannot be reproduced, which does send red flags from the perspective of scientific methods,” Nosek warned.
You may have heard the term “dose causes poison”, which means that to consider the ingredients harmful, a specific dose needs to be mentioned. Remember that anything, even water, can be bad for you. It is important to understand that testing components does not equal immediate health risks.
“Just because of the presence of chemicals does not mean that it is harmful in the amounts present,” Nosek explained. The study did not specify whether the concentration of heavy metals found in the powder poses any direct health risks – which is clearly It is an emotional manipulation. ”
A solid study should be transparent in its approach, so others understand the scientific methods and data the authors use to draw conclusions. Furthermore, research should be peer-reviewed, meaning experts in the field have evaluated their findings, research methods, citations and contributions to existing knowledge. This is a rigorous process because they have to look at each piece of information critically before verifying it. The authors are still anonymous and minimize any potential bias during the assessment. If it passes the peer review process, it will be published in academic journals.
If you are wondering if you should trust research, Nosek recommends looking for these red flags:
- Click Bait Article: These are designed to attract your attention and cause strong reactions. If you have a strong reaction, you should pause to the reader.
- Fear-based marketing: Clean health thrives in fear-based marketing, so it can sell you a personalized solution that doesn’t solve the social or systemic problems that cause “problems”. So ask yourself, “Is this going to sell me something, or is it just for reference?”
- Call the Ingredient Poison: If someone says “X is poison”, they need to say about what dose (because “dosing makes poison”). Just because the presence of chemicals does not mean that it is harmful in the amounts present.
Why do some of these protein powders have heavy metals?
Part of this study examines the highest levels of heavy metals in plant-based protein powders, but there is an explanation behind it. “All plants contain a certain amount of heavy metals due to the mineral content of the soil where plants grow,” Jones explained. She said that the whole green pea has less heavy metal than the pea protein isolates, but they all have them.
Reports on chocolate flavors containing heavy metals are likely to be related to the fact that cocoa, a key ingredient in chocolate, also contains heavy metals. As a result, they have a higher metal content than non-chocolate powders.
Jones advises: “In managing metal intake, the most important thing is to eat a wide variety of foods in your diet, so that you can only eat traces.” It also applies if you eat plant-based protein powder every day. “Instead of sticking with one protein source, add a protein source, such as pea, brown rice, chia, chia or an exchange between pea and soy protein,” she said.
How to choose safe protein powder
If you are still worried about choosing the safest protein powder, there are some things to consider. “I recommend looking for protein powders regulated as foods rather than supplements because the regulations are stricter,” Jones said, explaining that the powders have nutrition facts, rather than the supplemental fact panels on their containers.
If you are an athlete, you need to make sure you don’t consume prohibited substances. “Anyone who buys protein powders governed by the supplement should pay more attention to third-party certifications to test substances banned by WADA,” Jones warned. Jones and Nosek agreed to look for the most Famous and recommended third-party testing tags are informed sports and NSF certified sports. “Anyway, I often recommend people look for these tags when buying sports supplements to avoid any possible adulteration,” Jones said.
Remember that protein powder is a supplement and is not intended to replace all protein needs for every meal. It is important to make sure you get protein, vitamins and minerals from whole foods as well. When choosing a protein powder, stick to the protein powder you know can tolerate. If your stomach tends to be sensitive, avoid protein powders that are sugar and carbohydrates that do not contain sugar or carbohydrates, as they usually contain sugar alcohols, which can cause gastrointestinal problems. If you are sensitive to dairy products, avoid lactose.
If you are pregnant and prefer protein shakes as this is something you can tolerate, Jones recommends sticking with NSF labels or other sports-certified protein powders to ensure extra safety.
“From there, make sure the powder is free of any added vitamins and minerals that can be pushed up by prenatal supplement intake,” Jones said. If you find It’s hard to eat certain foods because pregnancy changes your appetite and taste preferences, Jones recommends changing the source of protein powder and aiming to include various foods in other food groups to reduce the chance of any weight intake of metal. But, as always, if you are unsure whether protein powder is suitable for you during pregnancy, consult your doctor first.
If you are vegan or vegan and prefer to add protein shakes to your diet, Jones recommends sticking to soy, pea, or plant protein mixtures. “I often recommend it Benefits of plant protein powder Because they are regulated as foods and contain mixtures of protein sources,” she suggests.
If you’re looking for soy or pea-based protein powder, Jones likes Food now Because this is a family-owned company, it attaches great importance to quality. “They are industry leaders in good manufacturing practices for supplements and rigorously test every ingredient entering their facilities and without hesitation to send it back if the product does not meet its standards, even if it does not meet its standards, This means getting the product out, she explained.
Should you worry about the heavy metals in protein powder?
Protein powder is designed to supplement an already healthy and balanced diet. Although some may contain heavy metals due to the location where certain ingredients grow, there is no need to panic at this time. “Suppose the average consumer doesn’t drink multiple protein shakes multiple times a day – it’s safe to shake to supplement your overall protein intake against the backdrop of a nutritionally concentrated, diverse diet,” Nosek said.
Remember, when you come across a health report that looks shockingly, it is important to first check if there is a reason to break down the data. When it comes to protein powders, use best judgment and stick with those tested by third-party tests by NSF or other sports certification tests to ensure a safe batch.
