They found lead, arsenic and more in many protein supplements

Whether it’s for weight loss, muscle building, or just as a convenient quick meal, many people turn to protein powder supplements. But a new study shows that many of the best-selling powders may contain worrying levels of heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead, and toxins such as bisphenol A (BPA). A chemical found in some plastic containers and food liners. These substances have been linked to cancer, brain damage and reproductive problems. The new study from the Clean Label Project (a nonprofit that examines labeling safety issues) found that virtually all 134 products tested contained detectable levels of at least one heavy metal and 55% tested positive for BPA. “These toxins build up in your body and can stay there for years,” says Tunde Akinleye. A testing program leader in the Food Safety Division of Consumer Reports. “Frequent consumption can have long-term adverse health effects.” The Clean Label Project measured heavy metal levels. Also BPA, pesticides and other contaminants (more than 150 in total) in different protein powders. Contaminant levels were measured in a single portion of the products. Those amounts varied. So the lab used the serving size listed on each product label. For example, “two tablespoons.” However, Jaclyn Bowen, executive director of the Clean Label Project, notes that many consumers use protein products several times a day. In general, products made from plant protein sources such as soy or hemp performed worse than those made from whey (milk) or eggs, containing, on average, twice as much lead and measurably higher amounts of other contaminants. Plant proteins may have higher levels of contamination because plants are especially prone to absorbing heavy metals from the soil, says Sean Callan, Ph.D. Neuroscientist and director of operations at Ellipse Analytics, the laboratory that tested the products. Whey and egg proteins may have lower levels. Because the source of the contamination would probably be the food given to the animals. Callan suspects that the animals’ digestive systems absorb some of the toxins. It is also important to mention that organic products were not less contaminated. In fact, organic protein supplements had higher levels of heavy metals, on average, than non-organic ones. “That probably has more to do with these products being plant-based,” Callan says. This does not mean that we stop eating plants in general. But rather that we stay away from protein supplements and instead eat whole foods.