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Protein powders may be damaging your health (Fox News)

I think the bolded has been proven true. So, you are right there. But less convenience due to taking more time to cook and prepare it kinda hurts. Plus it really matters how much food cost in your area and each person's access to lean chicken, turkey and other meat proteins.

Sometimes the cost comes in needing to travel to the market more often, when just buying a tub of protein once a month is more cost-effective (transportation wise).
I wonder if there is any value in some kind of pre-digestion/fermentation that could improve the situation. :pie_thinking:

i.e. mix in the rawest (unsweetened, no/minimal additives, etc) protein powder into a solution of milk kefir and then post-ferment for 24-48 hours. This would allow the colonies of yeasts and lactobacilli to break down the proteins into simpler protein chains and amino acids.
 
I'm not one to take protein powders. Anything I do health-wise is natural. But for those who still want to take such substances, there are things that you can do things to mitigate heavy metal exposure.

You can eat a handful of cilantro every day. Lugol's iodine will chelate heavy metals although you have to be careful with its use or you can develop thyroid nodules. Chlorella can also bind to and remove heavy metals from the body. Higher doses of sodium ascorbate (form of vitamin C) can also assist with heavy metals.
 

mckmas8808

Mckmaster uses MasterCard to buy Slave drives
I wonder if there is any value in some kind of pre-digestion/fermentation that could improve the situation. :pie_thinking:

i.e. mix in the rawest (unsweetened, no/minimal additives, etc) protein powder into a solution of milk kefir and then post-ferment for 24-48 hours. This would allow the colonies of yeasts and lactobacilli to break down the proteins into simpler protein chains and amino acids.

I've never bought the pills before.....but isn't that was these are for?


41TbgZe8YEL._SL500_AC_SS350_.jpg
 
I've never bought the pills before.....but isn't that was these are for?


41TbgZe8YEL._SL500_AC_SS350_.jpg
Maybe? Milk kefir provides the whole spectrum (enzymes + microflora that aids in digestion) so I'm not sure where those pills would rank in comparison.

But yeah, I think we're both on the same track. Improving the digestibility of these protein extracts would -- in theory -- reduce the total amount of powder one needs to consume.
 

bati

Member
Oh, you get gassy from regular consumption of protein powder? Well of course. You're pumping your intestines full of material that can only be broken down inefficiently, producing a ton of waste gas.

That highly depends on the rest of your diet. I eat about 70g of whey powder (concentrate, not isolate, which according to you would be even worse) daily and have absolutely no issue with farts. On the off chance that I do actually fart during the day the smell is practically non-existent. And my poops are the stuff of legends, I can't remember the last time I had to wipe (I always do, just in case, because I'm not a fucking neanderthal) - the big thing for me is eating one small dose of Actimel yogurt (100ml) per day, seems to do wonders for my gut flora.

Keep in mind though that this is on a caloric deficit, if you're in surplus you'll fart more by default, whey or not.
 
That highly depends on the rest of your diet. I eat about 70g of whey powder (concentrate, not isolate, which according to you would be even worse) daily and have absolutely no issue with farts. On the off chance that I do actually fart during the day the smell is practically non-existent. And my poops are the stuff of legends, I can't remember the last time I had to wipe (I always do, just in case, because I'm not a fucking neanderthal) - the big thing for me is eating one small dose of Actimel yogurt (100ml) per day, seems to do wonders for my gut flora.

Keep in mind though that this is on a caloric deficit, if you're in surplus you'll fart more by default, whey or not.
Well there you go. Sounds like you're bolstering your gut with fermented food (yogurt) which would alleviate those symptoms.
 

Tygeezy

Member
Ask yourself why you need to take protein powders. Look up what you actually need. Unless you are an super elite power athlete 1.5g/kg/day is plenty. Even then that maybe enough. If you eat a sensible balanced diet you are getting that number easily. A normal human not in heavy training needs a bit less tha 1g/kg/day.

Above that number, well. You dont store protein. So if you dont use it, you lose it.

A friend of mine, professor of medicine and a urologist when is asked him what high does protein powders did given the body rids itself of the excess.

“You get really expensive piss”

He is also firmly of the opinion that the powders are good for his business. Lots of people under 30 presenting with kidney problems.

If you are using them to bulk up. Eat more. Its probably cheaper.
Yeah, my primary physician told me tons of people make mistakes by over indulging in protein. I have type 1 diabetes, so he told me to especially avoid having too much protein as it puts extra stress on the kidneys, and kidneys can be an issue for long time diabetics.
 

poppabk

Cheeks Spread for Digital Only Future
I don't know if it's more expensive or less expensive. I'd have to look deeper into that. The logic is that a smaller total amount of highly-available protein (or [insert desired nutrient here] will have the same or better effect as a high total amount of cheap, less-digestible protein.
There is nothing to suggest whey protein is any less digestable or a less effective source of protein.
 
There is nothing to suggest whey protein is any less digestable or a less effective source of protein.
Yes, there's plenty to suggest whey protein is less digestible.


Turns out that it takes 1.5 hours for viscous liquids (e.g. a whey protein shake) to pass through the section of the gut that can actually absorb it. But that’s not the breaking news. Here’s the big story. The maximum rate that whey protein can be absorbed is about 8-10 grams per hour.
---


Per the article above, I am wrong that all whey has digestion issues. Some appear to be formulated for higher absorption, assuming it isn't whey concentrate.
 
eat better whole food homeys and get those sugars out of your life

Shaping your physique aside, this is really necessary if you want to maintain health. Most common (non-hereditary) killers are sugar loving diseases.

I would also add intermittent fasting to the regimen - even for body building, as counterintuitive as that may seem to some. You activate your natural growth hormones and facilitate healthy mitochondria, which suffer greatly as we age as we build up an accumulation of crap in our systems - mostly in the visceral fat.

I follow a 12-36 routine most of the time. Eat for a 12 hour window and fast for 36, but I vary it up occasionally.
 
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poppabk

Cheeks Spread for Digital Only Future
Yes, there's plenty to suggest whey protein is less digestible.


Turns out that it takes 1.5 hours for viscous liquids (e.g. a whey protein shake) to pass through the section of the gut that can actually absorb it. But that’s not the breaking news. Here’s the big story. The maximum rate that whey protein can be absorbed is about 8-10 grams per hour.
---
Some blog pushing a 'free' guide to fitness is not a good source, and the article itself is pushing a 'patented' blend of common digestive enzymes with one of the authors working for the company making the digestive supplement. The paper that provides the 1.5 figure is from the 60's was looking at barium in water, gave half the result for that observed in an earlier paper, was looking at people in hospital often with stomach issues, and the range was from 30 minutes to 5 hours. And this is before we even consider what the rate and level of absorption is for regular food. This doesn't show anything with regards to protein absorption between whey versus something like say chicken.
 

mckmas8808

Mckmaster uses MasterCard to buy Slave drives
Now that I've read the Foxnews article and seen some other stats on lead in other foods, I've come to the conclusion that this is a TERRIBLE article by Foxnews and any other news source that doesn't explain the findings relative to your everyday foods and drinks that we consume.

But this is nothing new. The media never really cares about the information in studies like this. They only go for the headlines. Like saying....

This smoothie add-in could be quietly killing you

Protein powders may be damaging your health



There's literally no context to those headlines. And then when you read the articles, there's no context there either. What does "70 percent of powders tested had detectable levels of lead " even mean when 100s of other foods we eat have "detectable" levels of lead in it?
 
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What does "70 percent of powders tested had detectable levels of lead " even mean when 100s of other foods we eat have "detectable" levels of lead in it?

I think the problem with the protein powders is the level of frequency. A lot of people use this stuff multiple times per day.
 
Now that I've read the Foxnews article and seen some other stats on lead in other foods, I've come to the conclusion that this is a TERRIBLE article by Foxnews and any other news source that doesn't explain the findings relative to your everyday foods and drinks that we consume.

But this is nothing new. The media never really cares about the information in studies like this. They only go for the headlines. Like saying....

This smoothie add-in could be quietly killing you

Protein powders may be damaging your health



There's literally no context to those headlines. And then when you read the articles, there's no context there either. What does "70 percent of powders tested had detectable levels of lead " even mean when 100s of other foods we eat have "detectable" levels of lead in it?
this seems to be 100% the case, unless we are missing something

the charts do only compare levels of lead and arsenic but not cadmium or any others, but i guess their presence in protein powder compared to common foods will be similar to the lead/arsenic comparisons to common food

as of now protein powders, especially reputable brands, seem perfectly fine
 
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mckmas8808

Mckmaster uses MasterCard to buy Slave drives
I think the problem with the protein powders is the level of frequency. A lot of people use this stuff multiple times per day.

But even multiple times per day gets you to similar levels that's in a bowl of cereal (if you combine the levels of arsenic in Rice Crispy treats and the amount of lead in 1.5 cups of milk).
 
But even multiple times per day gets you to similar levels that's in a bowl of cereal (if you combine the levels of arsenic in Rice Crispy treats and the amount of lead in 1.5 cups of milk).
.
I don't think that is true. Rice Krispies are fairly low in terms of the level of arsenic. So is milk. And while there may be people who eat Rice Krispies regularly, I doubt there are many that eat them multiple times a day everyday.

 

Iorv3th

Member
Where are we getting those numbers? Just wondering.

For water your municipality should send you a water report every year with the results of tests showing the amounts of iron, arsenic, and other chemicals and where they are coming from in your drinking water as well as saying if they are in legal range and where they are ranking etc.
 

mckmas8808

Mckmaster uses MasterCard to buy Slave drives
.
I don't think that is true. Rice Krispies are fairly low in terms of the level of arsenic. So is milk. And while there may be people who eat Rice Krispies regularly, I doubt there are many that eat them multiple times a day everyday.


So this is what I read in the article you just posted.

Among the four infant cereals tested, we found varying levels of arsenic, even in the same brand. Gerber SmartNourish Organic Brown Rice cereal had one sample with the highest level of total arsenic in the category at 329 ppb, and another sample had the lowest total level in this category at 97.7 ppb. It had 0.8 to 1.3 micrograms of inorganic arsenic per serving.
Earth’s Best Organic Whole Grain Rice cereal
had total arsenic levels ranging from 149 ppb to 274 ppb, but higher levels of inorganic arsenic per serving, from 1.7 to 2.7 micrograms.


Ready-to-eat cereals, which are popular with adults as well as children, also gave us cause for concern. For instance, Barbara’s Brown Rice Crisps had inorganic arsenic levels that ranged from 5.9 to 6.7 micrograms per serving. Kellogg’s Rice Krispies, at 2.3 to 2.7 micrograms, had the lowest levels for the category in our tests.

One of the leading protein powder companies in America has 0.8 micrograms of Arsenic per serving (that serving usually gives a person 24-30 grams of protein).
 

Kamina

Golden Boy
You don't need that much protein in your body anyways. Even if you workout a lot.
When doing heavy body building protein is the most important component for muscle growth and regeneration.
A person should already take about 1g per kg body weight if they do not work out, which can be achieved with a healthy and balanced diet.
If you work out you require significantly more since you want to support your body accurately. And that can only be achieved with supplements.

It is necessary? No
Is it healthy/helpful? Yes, by all means, if the protein is clean.
 
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It is necessary? No
Is it healthy/helpful? Yes, by all means, if the protein is clean.

I don't know. I've been going to the gym for over 25 years. It's always something new. For years it was creatine powder, then it was the glutamine and nitric oxide. And now I am seeing dudes with the drinks that have extremely high caffeine. I never got into any of these too hard because I was always hesitant about taking things indefinitely.

It seems everyone feels as if they are in a six week fight camp. I also know a lot of dudes that don't feel as if they are getting a good workout unless they have the supplements. Bad place to be.
 

Kamina

Golden Boy
I don't know. I've been going to the gym for over 25 years. It's always something new. For years it was creatine powder, then it was the glutamine and nitric oxide. And now I am seeing dudes with the drinks that have extremely high caffeine. I never got into any of these too hard because I was always hesitant about taking things indefinitely.

It seems everyone feels as if they are in a six week fight camp. I also know a lot of dudes that don't feel as if they are getting a good workout unless they have the supplements. Bad place to be.
Well, regular creatine intake is storing water in the muscles, keeping them hydrated and supporting the regeneration and max. training power, plus it makes them bigger due to the increased fluid.
Glutamine and Nitric Oxide i have no experience with myself.
Caffeine is simply activating the metabolism. So the faster your heart beats the faster and better your muscles are sourced with fresh blood, which in turn supports your efficiency during training. (More engery, more reps,...).

Personally I only take protein as supplement.
I used to take creatine, and it definitely has the most noticeable effect of healthy/legal substances, but i dislike having to swallow these crystals.
As for caffein: drinking one or two strong coffee, like espresso, some time (an hour max.) before the training is sufficient.
Alternatively, drinking ice-cold water also activates the metabolism and is better suited for some people who dont like or cant drink coffee.

In the end its the training that matters most, as well as sufficient rest to give the body time to heal and a healthy diet. All else is just support; important support, but support.
 
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mckmas8808

Mckmaster uses MasterCard to buy Slave drives
Well, regular creatine intake is storing water in the muscles, keeping them hydrated and supporting the regeneration and max. training power, plus it makes them bigger due to the increased fluid.
Glutamine and Nitric Oxide i have no experience with myself.
Caffeine is simply activating the metabolism. So the faster your heart beats the faster and better your muscles are sourced with fresh blood, which in turn supports your efficiency during training. (More engery, more reps,...).

Personally I only take protein as supplement.
I used to take creatine, and it definitely has the most noticeable effect of healthy/legal substances, but i dislike having to swallow these crystals.
As for caffein: drinking one or two strong coffee, like espresso, some time (an hour max.) before the training is sufficient.
Alternatively, drinking ice-cold water also activates the metabolism and is better suited for some people who dont like or cant drink coffee.

In the end its the training that matters most, as well as sufficient rest to give the body time to heal and a healthy diet. All else is just support; important support, but support.

Boom! I'm one of those guys that feels like crap half way through a workout if I don't have any pre-workout drink. The caffeine in it does help with energy levels. On my days off of work, I probably wouldn't need it. But after working 9 hours and then drinking to and from work (with an hour drive each way), it's hard to muster the energy naturally to train.
 
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