Now, before some of you (you know who you are) start loading up your guns and put me in front of the firing squad, please read this first:
Disclaimer: The following is information from an article in the July issue of Consumer Reports. I am offering NO opinion on this matter. In addition, just so you know, I bought a huge bag of EAS Premium Protein powder from Costco, last week, before I saw the article ($30 for 78 servings if you decide to act against the article's recommendations...).
The article to which I am referring is attached below. If you are not able to click on the thumbnails and read the article, please send me a PM with your e-mail address, so I can e-mail it to you.
To summarize, Consumer Reports tested 15 different popular protein drinks and found they contain low to moderate levels of metals; risky if consumed frequently (3 servings daily).
Consumer Reports also stated, "Although protein is needed for bone development, excessive protein intake over the long term might also cause calcium to be excreted from bones, increasing the risk of ostoporosis..."
In closing, please note my lack of Smilies in this post; something I use abundantly in other posts (because I like them). Hopefully, this emphasizes my intention of just providing information, rather than opinions, so that I can avoid being MISUNDERSTOOD.
Thank you.
Elaine
I have always been leery of these drinks. The couple times I tried to use them resulted in stomach upset.
I think the best source of nutrition is through whole natural foods.
I think the best source of nutrition is through whole natural foods.
I agree. You should be able to get the nutrition you need from actual food. No need for supplements.
With all those metals it's a wonder I didn't sink at nationals!:bump:
If you had worn a tech suit, it wouldn't have mattered; the two would have canceled each other out! :bump:
Anything in excess has potential to be harmfull.
That's a good deal, 78 servings for $30
That's what I love about Costco! And, I can tell you that buying the powder is MUCH cheaper than buying prepared drinks. It's just as convenient, too. I scoop the powder into a water bottle and leave the bottle unfilled in my gear bag. Then, as soon as I finish my swim, I stop by the water fountain for cold water, put the cap back on, and shake it up. It tastes much better cold, so I prefer to do it this way, rather than prepare it ahead of time.
Having said all that, I'll have to rethink the protein powder, even though mine wasn't on the list. I suppose one serving each day would be ok, though... It's either that or a protein bar, in order to get it into my system fast enough.
I don't use any of the listed products.
I typically use Metagenics products, which are medical grade products available through medical practitioners. They are the only supplements sold in the Mayo Clinic pharmacy. And many of their products lack the warning box that says that their claims have not been evaluated by the FDA. The absence of that box indicates that there has been some clinical testing. They are also free of gluten, lactose, soy, nuts, etc.
Whey protein doesn't always agree with me anyway, and I frequently substitute hemp protein.
It's true that a lot of these supplements are filled with garbage. The formulator of Isagenix, used to make formulations for GNC and other stores, but he was so disgusted that they took out most of his ingredients (b/c they were too expensive) and put all kinds of crappy filler in the product. So, instead of one or two servings to get the full benefit, you would need a whole lot more. I can't remember his name, but at one time he was the number one formulator in the country. He often cites how Canada is MUCH better at regulating the things that we just let go.
Buyer beware.
Thanks Elaine. Good job. :D (I like smilies too)
an example of the battle of claims....hemp protein
see www.alive.com/4490a12a2.php, where it says Cannabis sativa used to make hemp protein has no THC
but then do a search for Cannabis sativa, eg en.wikipedia.org/.../Cannabis_(drug), and find that it does contain THC....no doubt it has lots of protein too
sounds like hemp protein products and Alice B. Tokeless brownies share a palatability problem.
Re Metagenics products....they do not have a 'dietary supplement' label because they are marketed by the company as medical foods for use under physician supervision (the Mayo Clinic pharmacy may not realize this distinction...in my work with the Mayo Clinic since the 1970s, it would be highly unlikely they do). FDA approves neither dietary supplement nor medical foods...ingredients or labels (even though there may be an occasional story, FDA does virtually nothing with supplements or medical foods...FDA was killed during the 1990s by Clinton and is only slowly coming back now that Congress is realizing it is best for FDA not to be on the back burner, which resulted in an explosion of unsafe and useless food and drug products to flood the market). I have been unable to find any research on any of the company products. There is research for some of the claimed ingredients, though there is no assurance from anyone that these ingredients are reliably in the products they sell. One thing is certain, neither the Mayo Clinic nor FDA have reviewed any testing or conducted testing of Metagenics products. This is not to say they are dangerous, but there is no available research about their safety or effectiveness. For most healthy folks 'eating' a little from time to time, little problem may be assumed.
Nice summary and last sentence.
I believe there was some clinical research conducted on one of the Metagenics products in MN, but I would have to ask for the specific research. Apparently, the current editor of Men's Health was one of the test subjects.
Hemp protein -- I can tolerate it if my smoothie is very dense with a lot of fresh fruit and frozen fruit, especially berries. Blackberries seem to disguise the taste the most. Also I try to add pomegranate juice (and sometimes arils) to the mixture.
As I understand it, whey protein is better for building muscle than hemp protein. I would try to use it in a pure isolated form by a reputable manufacturer, though that does not, as makesense points out, guarantee efficacy or safety.
