Dr Oz: Consumer Lab Protein Powder Reviews & Lead Contamination?

Dr Oz: What’s Lurking in Your Protein Powder?

Protein Powders are supposedly a great way to lose weight, but not all of them are created equal. Dr Oz and Consumer Labs shared Protein Powder reviews of 16 leading brands, to help you learn whether you are receiving what you paid for.

Though the market used to be targeted at men, more and more women are embracing Protein Powder for diet and nutritional purposes. However, some brands could contain lead, and you may not be getting what you bargained for.

Dr Oz: Protein Powder Advantages

Why are more people relying on protein powder? Here are some of the benefits.

• Appetite Suppressant
• Energy Booster
• Works Quickly
• Easy to Digest
• Convenient

However, these products are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Dr Oz: Consumer Lab Protein Powder Research

Consumer Lab tested some of the leading brands and found some surprising results. The president, Dr Tod Cooperman, told Dr Oz that the tests checked for:

1. Advertised levels (or higher) of protein and nutrients
2. Promised levels (or lower) of carbs, fat, sugar and cholesterol
3. Presence of heavy metal contamination

Dr Oz: Does Protein Powder Have Hidden Carbs?

Of the 16 brands tested, 11 passed the examination, which means that five did not. Some of the products did not contain enough protein. ProLab Whey only contained seven grams of protein, but its package claimed it would have 23 grams per scoop.

Some products tested contained excess carbohydrates, calories, and/or cholesterol based on labeling information, such as Nature’s Plus Spiru-tine, Optimum Nutrition Egg Protein, or Dymatize Nutrition Casein Protein.

Dr Oz: Protein Powder Lead Contamination

Last, and maybe most alarming, is that heavy metal contamination was present in testing. Shakeology Greenberry was found to contain 12.7 mcgs of lead, which is not what you expect to be stirring up. I would point out that some have questioned Consumer Lab’s motives, but the group has appeared on Dr Oz many times in the past to discuss various topics.

One company responded to Consumer Labs’ findings with accusations that the group did not clarify between unsafe heavy metals and those that are naturally occurring.

Dr Oz: Consumer Lab Protein Powder Reviews

There were 11 brands that passed Consumer Lab testing for this study, and here is the list featured on Dr Oz’s show.

• EAS 100% Whey Protein Chocolate
• Jay Robb Whey Protein Vanilla
• Muscletech Nitro Tech Milk Chocolate
• Six Star Pro Nutrition Whey Protein Plus Triple Chocolate
• Pure Protein Shake Cookies ‘n Creme
• Genisoy Soy Protein Shake Chocolate Flavor
• The Biggest Loser Protein Powder Vanilla Bean
• Endurox R4 Fruit Punch
• Atkins Day Break Strawberry Banana Shake
• Metagenics Ultrameal Rice Natural Chocolate Flavor
• Slim Fast! 3-2-1 Plan Shake Mix Chocolate Royale

Dr Cooperman said that you should check the ingredient list and stick to those that don’t have many added ingredients.

Dr Oz: Protein Powder Guidelines

What should you do if you want to be smart about your protein powder? Here was Dr Oz’s advice.

1. Use no more than once per day
2. 20 grams of protein per serving
3. Avoid extra ingredients
4. Unflavored is best