contaminants in whey protein

[Manimal]

Jordan if you dont post this I am completely Ok with it I just thought it was a bit of fun research to do at 2am.

Having done some research online I was scared to death to try most brands of whey protein because of arsenic and lead content (Its also late and im bored because I just beat borderlands and have nothing else to do). 15 tested popular brands ranged from having 1microgram to as high as 17 micrograms of arsenic and 1 to 13 micrograms of lead (1). These numbers are a bit skewed because they are representing the amount of the elements in 3 servings. Also forgive me if my amounts from micrograms to PPB are incorrect as its late and im not too familiar with these terms. I was previously aware of these elements being present in our food, but I wanted to find out to what degree the amounts present in the protein supplements were truly dangerous.

Arsenic is common in many food we eat. Rice was the most common arsenic containing food that came up on google searches. The amount of arsenic in 1 serving of rice, averaging 5 micrograms per serving (1/4 of a cup), rivals that of the 3 servings of protein powder. Even infant rice cereals contained as much as 1.5 micrograms/serving (2). As astounding as these numbers are rice only places 3rd in the list of sources contributing to arsenic intake. "Rice is not the only source of arsenic in food. A 2009-10 study from the EPA estimated that rice contributes 17 percent of dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic, which would put it in third place, behind fruits and fruit juices at 18 percent, and vegetables at 24 percent. A more complete study by the European Food Safety Authority found cereal products could account for more than half of dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic, mainly because of rice."(3) Apparently, levels in non organic chickens fed arsenic containing drugs has become toxic enough that some of the drugs have been banned by the FDA (4). I could not find a credible source the detailed the actual levels of arsenic in chicken. Even our water contains arsenic at a maximum of 10 parts per billion or .01 micrograms/liter(3).

Just a short note on lead. To reiterate, the amount of lead present in the proteins was 1 to 13 micrograms for 3 servings. "In June 1991, the USEPA established an action
level of 15 ug/L for lead in public drinking water supplies." (5) Meaning up to this amount of lead in water is allowed. I imagine the average lifter on this forum consumes a gallon of water a day which would equate to roughly 60micrograms.


(1) I've seen this chart listed on many reputable sites this just so happens to be the
last site I have open with the chart. http://www.spjvideo.org/sdx/sdx10/ma...eporting-n.pdf

(2)http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/m...ecommendations

(3) http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/m...food/index.htm

(4)http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/.../ucm257540.htm

(5)http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/hhazweb/lead.pdf

[Jordan Feigenbaum]

This is a good post. I really try to get my protein from Protein Factory or TrueProtein.com and stick to filtered water. At any rate, definitely some good info here.