Would You Like Some Lead On The Side?

at 5:01 PM

Consumer Reports has just published a report that is pretty alarming.  We already knew that the companies that make protein shakes and market them so incredibly well, are not looking out for our health, and if anyone thought that, then I have a nice elliptical for sale for only 5 dollars.

The promises are pretty enticing, whether you are interested in losing some unwanted pounds, to get a quick energy boost, building muscle or getting lean, there are protein shakes out there being marketed by companies that claim to have scientific proof that they can help you achieve all those goals.  For example, the product Muscle Milk boasts on its website that it is designed "after one of nature's most balanced foods, human mother's milk".  But last time I checked human milk did not have any cadmium in it!!  According to nutritionists, the body can only break down 5 to 9 grams of protein per hour and any excess  that is not burned for energy is converted to fat or excreted, so it's a waste to be consuming to much more.

The government puts limits on the amount of heavy metals that can be present in supplements: The limit for arsenic is 15 micrograms per day, cadmium, 5 micrograms; lead, 10 micrograms and mercury 15 micrograms.  Consumer Reports tested 15 different protein shakes.  ALL had arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury but three had amounts exceeding limits set by the government (in three servings).

EAS Myoplex Original Rich Dark Chocolate Shake (liquid)- had 16.9 micrograms arsenic and 5.1 micrograms cadmium in three servings.

Muscle Milk Chocolate- had 5.6 micrograms cadmium and 13.5 micrograms lead in three servings.

Muscle Milk Vanilla Creme- had 12.2 micrograms lead.

Here is a list of other ones that they tested and ALL had some levels of the heavy metals mentioned: BSN, Optimum Nutrition, Designer Whey, and Jillian Micheal's Natural Whey Protein among others.

There is legislation in the congress pending to strengthen FDA's oversight of supplements, but we will see... I suspect these companies have strong lobbyists with deep pockets (like many other companies that get cozy with regulators!!).  Dr. David Carpenter, M.D., head of the Institute for Health and the Environment at University of Albany says, "It is foolish to have these and other dietary supplements being sold with practically no regulation".

Kidney damage is the big problem with chronic exposure to cadmium, and it may take 20 or more years for the body to get rid of half the cadmium ingested by the body today.  FDA has a list of 275 hazardous at toxic waste sites; Arsenic, lead and mercury rank numbers 1,2 an 3 and cadmium is No. 7.

I don't know about you but this is really scaring me... I do have protein shakes but not every day.  But then the damage to our bodies is cumulative.  Mother nature knows best and perhaps we all should stick to milk, eggs, tofu, legumes, nuts and meat.