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Are Protein Powders Safe?

Protein powders are products made from whey protein, egg white, soy and rice and sold as dietary supplements. They are mainly used by body builders who claim they are essential for the effective increase in muscle building.

They are often marketed as a milkshake type drink to be used before and after exercise and in some cases as a meal substitute. There are quite literally thousands of protein powders on the market, most of which contain exactly the same ingredients but have varying price tags.

Are Protein Powders Safe?

The protein powders are made from natural products and contain no harmful ingredients as such.

Rumors have abounded about protein powders being laced with steroid ingredients. There is no evidence to support these rumors that I can source. Production of such powders would be totally illegal if this were the case and therefore not available through normal sources.

One consumer report allegedly discovered that some protein powders contained trace elements of heavy metals which exceeded the recommended safe exposure levels. However, this was confined to a small area of the United States and was thought to be due to contamination rather than a purposeful inclusion of harmful ingredients.

Are there any Side Effects from Using Protein Powders?

The body is only able to process a finite level of protein per hour. Studies show that excess protein in the system can cause kidney problems, digestive problems (including diarrhea) and excessive weight gain.

Advocates of protein powders argue that sensible use of the supplements will not expose the body to an excessive intake of protein.

Food Sources that Contain Protein

There are many foods which allow us to get our protein naturally and without the need for dietary supplements such as protein powders.

The highest concentration of protein is found in red meat such as beef but all meat and fish contain high protein levels. Even processed meats such as bacon and corned beef contain plenty of protein; very little is actually lost in meat processing practices.

Dairy products are also rich in protein- egg whites, milk, cheese and yogurt all have protein.

There are many non-meat sources of protein too which include soy milk, tofu, nuts, seeds and pulses (beans).

Most diets easily contain enough protein to meet all the body’s needs for building strong and healthy muscles, even vegetarian diets.

The overall feeling is that sensible consumption of protein powders can do no harm but they won’t actually build muscle any faster than protein contained through normal dietary intake.

Protein powders can be a useful dietary supplement for people looking to lose a little weight and as a temporary meal replacement. Protein powders seem to be popular more for their convenience rather than any short cut abilities for gaining muscle.

This article on if or not protein powders are safe has been written by expert author ‘Deneice Arthurton‘.