|
Crystal G



Registered: 06/05/07
Posts: 19,584
Loc: outer space
Last seen: 8 months, 6 days
|
Why Your Whey Protein Might Be Bad For You
#19107319 - 11/08/13 07:33 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
I recently learned that most of the whey protein supplements out there contain product from China, especially the big brands. Supposedly China is well known for contaminants like melamine in their protein concentrates.
Why is this important?
Well, melamine is a molecule used to make plastics. This molecule has been found to have been contaminated and "cut" in with protein powder from numerous brands.
Why do they cut protein concentrates with it?
To test for protein content of a product, they measure the nitrogen content, as proteins contain nitrogen. The more nitrogen, the more protein. Melamine has nitrogen and is cheaper by far than the real milk protein. So by adding it, the product will test as though it contains a lot of protein, when in fact, it has been cut significantly.
Why is this bad for me?
Drinking high amounts of melamine adversely affects kidney and bladder function. Ever notice that bodybuilders sometimes have poor kidney function? Perhaps their choice of protein powder is one of the reasons.
Even Swanson Ultra "grass-fed whey protein," which supposedly advertises itself as coming from free-range cows in New Zealand has admitted that a part of their product comes at least partly from China. I knew the price was too good to be true!
It's not just in protein. It's also been found in baby formula and pet food: http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=why-is-melamine-in-baby-formula-you-2008-09-24
Protein powder does not have to undergo any kind of FDA regulations. Adulterated content can easily be approved for merchandising with little or no oversight.
What does this mean?
Beware of the protein product that you have, if you have laboratory access and have the means to test for melamine in various brands, then by all means do it and show us the results. Try to eat real protein from actual meats, cheeses, and carbs as often as possible.
I personally am only ever going to purchase local whey from this point on, such as from here: http://www.amazon.com/Source-Organic-Whey-Protein-Non-GMO/dp/B007B7UGHM/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1382736446&sr=8-8&keywords=grass-fed+whey+protein
Edited by Crystal G (11/08/13 10:57 PM)
|
Dudits
Tao

Registered: 09/16/13
Posts: 233
Loc: West coast
|
Re: Why Your Whey Protein Might Be Bad For You [Re: Crystal G] 1
#19107412 - 11/08/13 07:50 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Is this only for whey protein then? Maybe ill just switch to soy or plant. I wonder whether if being an isolate or casein matters. Its upsetting how almost every major food and supplement company will cut corners at the expense of the consumers health.
|
Crystal G



Registered: 06/05/07
Posts: 19,584
Loc: outer space
Last seen: 8 months, 6 days
|
Re: Why Your Whey Protein Might Be Bad For You [Re: Dudits]
#19107512 - 11/08/13 08:09 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Dudits said: Is this only for whey protein then? Maybe ill just switch to soy or plant. I wonder whether if being an isolate or casein matters. Its upsetting how almost every major food and supplement company will cut corners at the expense of the consumers health.
I doubt it. If you read about protein adulteration, it has been done on tons of vegetable items such as soy and corn: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein_adulteration_in_China
Basically, if it's cheap, it's most likely from China. If you still aren't sure, you might want to email manufacturers to find out how pure their source is. Often they do not reveal their true secret until you are very persistent, so you might need to email them back and forth a few times and be very adamant about whether even 1% of their products come from China.
|
koods
Ribbit



Registered: 05/26/11
Posts: 106,052
Loc: Maryland/DC Burbs
Last seen: 1 minute, 5 seconds
|
Re: Why Your Whey Protein Might Be Bad For You [Re: Crystal G]
#19108894 - 11/09/13 02:24 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Don't you have a thread about your steroid routine?
Here's another health tip: Because of the dangers of lead poisoning, you should only use copper bullets to shoot yourself in the head.
--------------------
NotSheekle said “if I believed she was 16 I would become unattracted to her”
|
Crystal G



Registered: 06/05/07
Posts: 19,584
Loc: outer space
Last seen: 8 months, 6 days
|
Re: Why Your Whey Protein Might Be Bad For You [Re: koods]
#19108926 - 11/09/13 02:57 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
koods said: Don't you have a thread about your steroid routine?
Yes, but I didn't do them recklessly. I read all about the potential damage they could do to the body, chose a method that would be the least harmful (injectables), did not cycle for more than 8 weeks straight due to long-term hormonal deficiencies, and got my cholesterol, BP, kidneys, and liver screened shortly after.
Quote:
Here's another health tip: Because of the dangers of lead poisoning, you should only use copper bullets to shoot yourself in the head.
Fallacy #1: Because somebody uses steroids, they shouldn't be aware of other matters such as mercury or e. coli poisoning Because somebody takes steroids, they shouldn't be afraid of eating sushi served at a gas station. Because somebody takes drugs that alter and potentially damage the brain, they shouldn't see the need to wear a bike helmet. Where's the logic in that?
If anything, the average steroid user should be MORE concerned about melamine poisoning, considering bodybuilders use powder proteins way more than the average person, who likely doesn't consume them.
Edited by Crystal G (11/09/13 03:04 AM)
|
koods
Ribbit



Registered: 05/26/11
Posts: 106,052
Loc: Maryland/DC Burbs
Last seen: 1 minute, 5 seconds
|
Re: Why Your Whey Protein Might Be Bad For You [Re: Crystal G]
#19108934 - 11/09/13 03:10 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
The analogy is more appropriate than your examples. You are taking the protein and the steroids together to complete a single goal. Steroids have nothing to do with sushi, and recreational drugs don't have any relationship to riding bikes.
If you're shooting yourself in the head with steroids, why worry if there's some melamine in the bullets?
--------------------
NotSheekle said “if I believed she was 16 I would become unattracted to her”
|
Crystal G



Registered: 06/05/07
Posts: 19,584
Loc: outer space
Last seen: 8 months, 6 days
|
Re: Why Your Whey Protein Might Be Bad For You [Re: koods]
#19108945 - 11/09/13 03:18 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
koods said: The analogy is more appropriate than your examples. You are taking the protein and the steroids together to complete a single goal. Steroids have nothing to do with sushi, and recreational drugs don't have any relationship to riding bikes.
Okay, let me try again. Because somebody eats sushi, they shouldn't be afraid of eating raw beef? Somebody who enjoys bungee jumping shouldn't be worried about wearing helmet and protective gear when they go rollerblading?
The reason I used recreational drugs is because drug use can potentially causes brain damage. That is why I used the bicycle helmet as an analogy, because it protects the brain.
Quote:
If you're shooting yourself in the head with steroids, why worry if there's some melamine in the bullets? 
How is that accurate to the way most users use steroids? Most long-term steroid users get their cholesterol and internal organs checked routinely during and after cycle. They cease use immediately when problems arise. This is far more responsible usage than the way most drug users use drugs. When is the last time you've ever seen somebody who takes crystal meth or ecstasy even bother to ASK a medical professional exactly what is happening to their brain and body?
|
koods
Ribbit



Registered: 05/26/11
Posts: 106,052
Loc: Maryland/DC Burbs
Last seen: 1 minute, 5 seconds
|
Re: Why Your Whey Protein Might Be Bad For You [Re: Crystal G]
#19108955 - 11/09/13 03:27 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Whatever. The concern about the protein stuff is rather petty regarldless.
Just to be safe, you should have your kidneys checked occasionally for melamine crystals.
--------------------
NotSheekle said “if I believed she was 16 I would become unattracted to her”
Edited by koods (11/09/13 03:29 AM)
|
Crystal G



Registered: 06/05/07
Posts: 19,584
Loc: outer space
Last seen: 8 months, 6 days
|
Re: Why Your Whey Protein Might Be Bad For You [Re: koods]
#19108966 - 11/09/13 03:31 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
koods said: Whatever. The concern about the protein stuff is rather petty regarldless.
Yea, you must have not read the link about how melamine poisoning in a particular brand of baby formula sickened 54,000 babies and killed four babies and 8,500 pet in America. It actually shuts down kidney function, causes kidney stones, and affects the bladder adversely too. High protein consumption is already hard enough on the kidneys, add creatine and protein powder to the mix that is contaminated with melamine, and it's not too difficult to see why so many bodybuilders become susceptible to kidney failure after only a few years.
|
koods
Ribbit



Registered: 05/26/11
Posts: 106,052
Loc: Maryland/DC Burbs
Last seen: 1 minute, 5 seconds
|
Re: Why Your Whey Protein Might Be Bad For You [Re: Crystal G]
#19108977 - 11/09/13 03:36 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
--------------------
NotSheekle said “if I believed she was 16 I would become unattracted to her”
|
Crystal G



Registered: 06/05/07
Posts: 19,584
Loc: outer space
Last seen: 8 months, 6 days
|
Re: Why Your Whey Protein Might Be Bad For You [Re: koods]
#19108988 - 11/09/13 03:52 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
koods said: Yeah, it's the whey. Couldn't be anything else.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/10/sports/10steroids.html?_r=0
So then, this brings me back to my previous point: Shouldn't bodybuilders be more worried about the supplements they take? I mean if steroids are already harsh on your kidneys, why do you want to further introduce renal toxicity with melenium-adulterated protein, if you know about it?
|
koods
Ribbit



Registered: 05/26/11
Posts: 106,052
Loc: Maryland/DC Burbs
Last seen: 1 minute, 5 seconds
|
Re: Why Your Whey Protein Might Be Bad For You [Re: Crystal G]
#19109273 - 11/09/13 07:20 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Somebody just posted yesterday about problems they have developed from steroid use. You should PM them and have a chat. Here's the post I'm referring to:
Quote:
Crystal G said: So I had a physical two weeks ago, and the results for my liver came back slightly abnormal. I really don't even know what caused this acute liver damage, it could have been all those years of being on prescription medication, or those few months I experimented with steroids, or the antibiotics that I'm taking to clear up my steroid-induced acne, or all those years of abusing opiates and meth and crack... although I'm not sure how big of a role the liver plays in meth and crack since I always assumed they were mostly toxic to the kidneys, which came out fine for me.
--------------------
NotSheekle said “if I believed she was 16 I would become unattracted to her”
|
Crystal G


Registered: 06/05/07
Posts: 19,584
Loc: outer space
Last seen: 8 months, 6 days
|
Re: Why Your Whey Protein Might Be Bad For You [Re: koods]
#19111142 - 11/09/13 04:50 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
are you illiterate or deliberately trying to be annoying? Because you seem to have problems reading. This thread is not about steroids... like, at all. Not even in the remotest bit. This thread is about what's protein brands might potentially be contaminated.
So run along now, because you haven't added the least bit of information conducive to this thread.
Edited by Crystal G (11/09/13 06:35 PM)
|
Crystal G



Registered: 06/05/07
Posts: 19,584
Loc: outer space
Last seen: 8 months, 6 days
|
Re: Why Your Whey Protein Might Be Bad For You [Re: Dudits]
#19111426 - 11/09/13 06:14 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Dudits said: Is this only for whey protein then? Maybe ill just switch to soy or plant. I wonder whether if being an isolate or casein matters. Its upsetting how almost every major food and supplement company will cut corners at the expense of the consumers health.
Well, I found at least two brands in my search that have been reported to be free from Chinese products.
Quote:
I got this email from ALLMAX Nutrition...
Protein Advisory ALLMAX protein producs contain absolutely zero protein sourced from China Protein country of origin for each product is as listed below
ISOFLEX: 100% Sourced from the United States ISOfemme: 100% Sourced from the United States and New Zealand QUICKMASS: 100% Sourced from the United States and New Zealand ALLWHEY: 100% Sourced from the United States and New Zealand IsoNatural: 100% Sourced from the United States
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=111590731
I also found a bulletin by Cytosport assuring there is no melamine in the product (which is the brand I use, it's cheap, like 2lbs for $45 from Costco): http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1539201&d=1222280657
Although now that I realize Cytosport is also the same company that produces Muscle Milk, this means there is definitely pretty high trace levels of arsenic and mercury in their brand of protein. 
You could also make your own vegetable protein powder using lentils, brown rice, and oats in a blender for relatively easily. 1/4 cup of powder would be 8 grams of protein: http://backtoherroots.com/2013/03/25/homemade-protein-powder-its-cheap-its-easy/
Edited by Crystal G (11/09/13 06:36 PM)
|
Epigallo
Stranger
Registered: 09/17/06
Posts: 8,155
Last seen: 6 years, 10 months
|
Re: Why Your Whey Protein Might Be Bad For You [Re: Crystal G]
#19112490 - 11/09/13 10:30 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
This is good information, although I didn't read anything in the article you linked to that explicitly stated that melamine is in most protein powders. I just can't keep up with all of it. Makes me want to just go completely whole foods, organic, but you also hear about amazing health benefits from things like whey protein.
Also watch out for carageenan in your protein powder, which has definitely been linked to inflammation and disease in the intestines. It will be labeled though.
|
Crystal G



Registered: 06/05/07
Posts: 19,584
Loc: outer space
Last seen: 8 months, 6 days
|
Re: Why Your Whey Protein Might Be Bad For You [Re: Epigallo]
#19112557 - 11/09/13 10:45 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
bradley said: This is good information, although I didn't read anything in the article you linked to that explicitly stated that melamine is in most protein powders.
Well, if your protein brand sources their protein from China, that's a pretty good indicator that it may be cut with melamine. Even if the product says "manufactured" or "made in the USA," they are still legally allowed to declare that the final product is made from the USA even if they source their original products from another country. So the best thing to do is to email the manufacturer directly and find out where they source their products from. You might have to be persistent and send a few emails back and forth before you get a straight answer.
I found out that Swanson protein, even the "all-natural, organic, grass-fed" kind of protein actually partially sources their products from China by e-mailing the manufacturer a few times, before they indirectly admitted partially sourcing from China. I also know that Body Fortress sold at Walmart sources from China. The ones that I know of for sure that do not source from China are the three that I mentioned previously in this thread.
|
Spacerific
- - - >


Registered: 10/13/12
Posts: 4,923
Last seen: 8 years, 9 months
|
Re: Why Your Whey Protein Might Be Bad For You [Re: Crystal G]
#19113881 - 11/10/13 09:19 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
I wrote to the people I buy from, this company from UK called myprotein.com. They seem nice, they're the only brand I found with unsweetened, uncolored unflavored whey protein, and they seem to take pride in their work.
However now that I wrote to them and asked where they get it, the Customer Service reps seem 100% retarded. 
I asked the guys in UK and I asked the distributor in my country, and nobody has a damn clue what country their product comes from.
I'll give em a few more days since it's the weekend, but very unprofessional responses so far. Like here dude, if it's not in the Certificate of Analysis pdf, then we don't know what we're selling you
-------------------- Blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.
For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. - Matthew 13:16
|
Mescalean
Burke is love, burke is life.


Registered: 01/18/12
Posts: 6,755
Last seen: 6 years, 10 months
|
Re: Why Your Whey Protein Might Be Bad For You [Re: Spacerific]
#19114885 - 11/10/13 01:18 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Try eating 350 + grams of protein from whole food a day plus carbs and fat intake.... Do it I dare you.
Im gonna do some digging on google today to see if there are any quality known brands that originate in the US.
-------------------- FREE BURKE
|
Deckard_Cain
Mystic


Registered: 09/25/13
Posts: 568
Last seen: 1 year, 1 month
|
Re: Why Your Whey Protein Might Be Bad For You [Re: Spacerific]
#19115249 - 11/10/13 02:40 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Spacerific said: I wrote to the people I buy from, this company from UK called myprotein.com. They seem nice, they're the only brand I found with unsweetened, uncolored unflavored whey protein, and they seem to take pride in their work.
However now that I wrote to them and asked where they get it, the Customer Service reps seem 100% retarded. 
I asked the guys in UK and I asked the distributor in my country, and nobody has a damn clue what country their product comes from.
I'll give em a few more days since it's the weekend, but very unprofessional responses so far. Like here dude, if it's not in the Certificate of Analysis pdf, then we don't know what we're selling you 
This is generally what I have found with reps since I was a teen... they know diddly squat. They may also answer questions falsely if you lead them ex "are any of your products sourced from China?" "No" ... but if you asked the same rep "where are your products source from?" "I dunno" is what they'd say. I've worked in food production ... competent people who know their work and do not lie usually get the can (better not hold your product back because it failed internal testing). I foresee a lot more consumer testing to be done as kits get cheaper...
|
|