One of the great things about having clients as dedicated (or more) to fitness is that they often send me interesting little tidbits about fitness related media stories and research.  One of my best clients Cliff recently sent me this email:

Hey Jes,
Check out http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/2010/july/food/protein-drinks/overview/index.htm.

The new Consumer Reports magazine has a good article about problems with protein drinks. The link takes you to their online version. Once you’re on that page, to see each section of the article you click on the links in the left-hand column. There’s a lot of excellent info. I also have the actual magazine if you’d like it. I thought maybe this would be a topic of interest for your site.

~Cliff

If you check out the link, it’s about recent lab testing done by Consumer Reports in regards to protein drinks and powders.  You probably already know this, but just like most vitamins and supplements, the manufacturing of protein powders and drinks isn’t regulated as strictly as pharmaceuticals.  From what I understand (correct me if I’m wrong), manufacturers are required to follow GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) which means that each company is responsible for monitoring the quality and purity of their own product.

Anyway, the first paragraph of the report states that after purchasing 15 various protein products either online or over the counter.  The products were tested for heavy metals and some were found to be potentially hazardous when used numerous times per day.  When presented in this manner from a respected resource, the results sound scary.  But before eliminating all protein related products from your diet, remember a few things.

1)      The laboratory used for the testing was a 3^rd party lab and there is some scrutiny surrounding the efficacy of their results.

2)      12 out of 15 products tested safe.

3)      The products that tested high were based on multiple servings per day.

How should this research affect your decisions regarding protein related products?  If you use protein supplements I think this report is important in the sense that it alerts you to some of the potential harm that can come from overusing supplements.  The report also opens the eyes of the consumer in regards to how supplements regulated and the potential for flaws in our regulatory system.

As for me, I try my best to eat mostly real food and save protein related products for times when I’m too busy (or lazy!) to actually cook.  If you stick with that approach, of using supplements as part of your diet when needed and stop yourself from overusing them, you shouldn’t have a problem.  If you want more information on this subject, you can explore the references below to find out more.

Related Links
The Consumer Reports online write up: (the full 5-page article in only in the print edition: July 2010 issue)
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/2010/july/food/protein-drinks/what-our-tests-found/index.htm

NSF statement about report:
http://www.nsf.org/business/newsroom/pdf/NSF_Statement_Consumer_Reports_Protein_Drinks.pdf

The CBS story:
Online:  http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/06/01/earlyshow/main6537686.shtml
Video clip (CBS News):

Technorati Tags: featured, Healthy Meal Plans, protein drinks