Protein Shake Warning

This report comes from WebMD and is quite alarming. Protein supplementation has become a staple in every gym goers nutrition routine. While the supplementing protein through shakes is convenient, a new investigation by Consumer Reports found some intriguing results that we may all want to pay attention to and you'll be surprised to find out that some of the supplement industry's biggest names like Muscle Milk and EAS are at the center of the investigation:

• EAS Myoplex Original Rich Dark Chocolate Shake has an average of 16.9 micrograms of arsenic in three servings -- more than the 15 micrograms a day that is the proposed USP limit. It has an average of 5.1 micrograms of cadmium for three servings -- above the USP limit of 5 micrograms a day.
• Muscle Milk chocolate powder, at three servings, contained all four of the metals, and three metals were found at a level that was among the highest of all 15 products tested. Cadmium levels were 5.6 micrograms -- above the 5-microgram limit. Lead was 13.5 micrograms -- above the USP limit of 10 micrograms. The arsenic averaged 12.2 micrograms -- near the 15-microgram daily USP limit.
• Muscle Milk vanilla crème had 12.2 micrograms of lead per three servings -- above the 10-microgram daily limit. It has 11.2 micrograms of arsenic -- close to the 15-microgram daily limit. - WebMD

That's right, the investigation found unsafe levels of various heavy metals in our favorite protein supplements. It will be interesting to see what comes of more studies to follow up on these discoveries. As a fitness professional it is disappointing for me to read stuff like this because I'd like to think there are products and company's out there that are willing to deliver a truly healthy product. You can bet that Muscle Milk powder sitting on my kitchen counter is going in the trash! Let's keep on the lookout for more research into these products and for now stick with chocolate milk as your protein shake!