Well, I'm back to eating a massive amount of protein and wanted to follow up on this article to see just what sort of research has happened since, and what I should be avoiding. While poking around a bit, I came across this write-up response from Optimum Nutrition - one of the many supplement companies I use for (you guessed it) protein powder. The information laid out by them gives perspective that Consumer Reports seems to have neglected in their research.
*All comparisons assume the store bought GMO manufacttured farm foods that 90% of America eats - not Organic or locally farmed.
For example, while BSN Syntha 6 contains 4.2 Micrograms of Arsenic...
- Pan Fried Haddock contains 626 mcg of Arsenic
- Boild Shrimp contains 115 mcg of Arsenic
- And coming in just under my dangerously chemical ladened Syntha Six? a bowl of Rice Crispies at 3.9 mcg of Arsenic.
Care to talk about Lead and Lead Poisoning? Optimum Nutrition has 1 mcg. of nasty, dangerous Lead. But how about...
- Our Friend Boiled Shrimp at 3.2 mcg
- A glass of white wine at 3 mcg
- A sweet potato at 1.6 mcg.
And let me also note that the Consumer Reports research assumed you were eating THREE shakes per day. Most people have one... maybe 2. Once you divide their numbers by servings - the risk is minimal.
My point in this is that research has to be put into perspective. Without having some level playing field to compare, the research is pointless and causes unnecessary paranoia. In the case of lean protein powder as a supplement to workouts, I think the positives far outweigh the negatives, and that this is just a case of sensationalism in journalism. Someone training hard at the gym and feeding his or her body with good lean proteins shouldn't be bullied into thinking they are doing something wrong, while being told to eat low fat fish and low GI sweet potatoes because they are "Good for you." This ranks right up there with the 350 lb woman that told me I shouldn't run because I could hurt my ankles.
Stick to Lawnmowers and Laptops Consumer Reports.
