Do you ever wonder about the quality of your protein that you mix up in your smoothie? Protein powders are a great way to quickly get some protein into your diet. You trust that your supplier provides you with quality ingredients.

A recent Consumer’s Report, however, caught the attention of National television news and the public on protein supplements and safety. Several popular protein brands that were tested by Consumer Reports had higher levels of lead, more than what is considered safe in a day and even higher than tests from 15 years ago. Plant-based protein supplements had the highest levels compared to animal protein supplements. Furthermore, some plant-based protein powders had 10 times more than the acceptable daily limit of lead in a single serving! 

You expect quality in health supplements as you ingest them to support your overall well-being. Learn about key additional concerns and differences with plant-based proteins and other animal protein options so you can make the best choice for your needs.

Lead and the Food Supply

Certain foods contain unavoidable trace amounts of lead because lead occurs naturally in the earth’s crust and can also result from pollution or soil contamination caused by human activity. Plant foods naturally have more lead than animal foods.

Lead can also enter the food supply from the machines and metals used during the manufacturing process. Plant-based protein supplements require an extensive, complex process to remove protein materials from the plant fibers and grind it into flour. This adds to the possibility of heavy metal contamination beyond environmental sources.

Other Concerns with Plant-Based Proteins

While plant-based protein supplements have become increasingly popular, there are concerns that arise beyond lead that consumers need to be mindful of. Plant-based proteins have the lowest bioavailability of protein as the fibers, phytates, and other compounds in the plants compete against the total amount of amino acids available for absorption. Reduced bioavailability of protein and amino acids results in higher metabolic requirements to meet protein needs, i.e. 20 grams of plant protein does not equal 20 grams of animal protein when comparing amino acid content and bioavailability.

Furthermore, plant proteins provide less than optimal balance and are generally not complete proteins. Only buckwheat, chia seeds, original Ezekiel break, nutritional yeast, and quinoa contain all required nine essential amino acids. Other plant proteins must be properly combined to ensure intake of all essential amino acids. Be mindful as individuals on plant-based proteins are at higher risk for low intake of essential amino acids lysine, methionine, and tryptophan as well as other conditional essential amino acids like taurine. 

Insufficient intake of essential amino acids/protein affects growth and development, muscle strength, bone density, collagen integrity, neurotransmitter production and function, immune health, methylation, energy production, sleep quality, balance and coordination, energy production, thyroid, adrenal, and sex steroid hormone transport and function, liver function, etc. Insufficient protein takes a toll on your body.

Why Choose Wellness Resources Whey Protein?

Of all the protein supplements tested in the Consumer Reports, whey protein overall had the lowest potential to accumulate lead, but levels varied between brands.

You can be confident in the purity of Wellness Resources Daily Protein and Daily Protein Plus (oat bran, chocolate, and vanilla) as each batch is third-party tested for purity, potency, heavy metals, and contaminants. Our products are manufactured in the USA in FDA registered state-of-the art facilities that follow Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) regulations and testing. If a product doesn’t meet Wellness Resources’ strict specifications, it is not accepted.

Our whey protein powders are from grass-fed cows on small family farms in lush, green Irish pastures. The cows eat grass 95 percent of the year or grass silage when the weather is too harsh. Our whey protein is the highest quality protein available on the market! It is certified GMO-free, rBST-free, rBGH-free, BSE-free, antibiotic-free and does not contain sugar, cholesterol, lactose or casein.

Daily Protein and Daily Protein Plus contain premium, undenatured whey. It is processed at very low temperatures with a revolutionary crossflow microfiltration technique producing undamaged whey protein isolate in its most bioactive form. True grass-fed, pasture-raised whey protein is more nutritious as it contains higher amounts of omega-3 oils, CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), and beta carotene. Our products are soy free and contain less than 1 percent of sunflower lecithin for mixing. 

Whey protein is a rich source of glycomacropeptides and also provides building blocks for glutathione production, your body’s master antioxidant system. This makes it a great fuel source for muscle strength, immune system surveillance, bone density, liver detoxification, gut lining and vital organs repair, nutrient absorption, thyroid and adrenal function, and histamine modulation and more.

How Much Protein Do I Need?

Differences exist in opinion and in research about how much protein is needed each day, however the US RDA for protein is based on bodyweight (lbs) x 0.36 to 1.0 gram/day or 0.8 gm/kilogram of body weight. This generally equates to 46-65 grams of protein per day for healthy adults without exercise or recovery needs. For example, 150-pound individuals equate to 54 grams of protein per day.

If you are an athlete, physical laborer, recovering from trauma or illness, are pregnant or breast feeding, have poor digestion, etc., you may need to increase protein intake to as much as 1 gram per pound of body weight per day, for example 150 grams of protein per day for a 150-pound adult.

Higher protein recommendations have been advised for adults 65 and older, children older than 3 years, and pregnancy and breast-feeding women as researchers find that dietary RDA for protein is much too low.  

Animal proteins provide all essential and conditionally essential amino acids with higher bioavailability. Quality animal proteins include organic, pasture raised, pasture finished beef, pork, poultry, bison, lamb, and other game meats along with eggs and wild caught fish. Farm raised fish also supplies quality protein. Unfortunately, farm-raised fish and conventionally raised animals are often grain-fed (corn, soy, etc) which alters the omega-3 and -6 ratio that can provoke more inflammation in the body.   

High quality protein with all amino acids, bioavailability for fueling your body, and lack of contaminants is an essential need in life. Careful dietary and supplement selections are necessary to feed your whole body. There is enough toxic burden in other realms of life without having to worry about what is in your protein supplement.

For a quick and easy protein option, Daily Protein and Daily Protein Plus are superior clean whey proteins that taste great, are easy to mix, and contains no sugar, cholesterol, casein, or toxins. Give it a try today!

Additional Resources:

Nutritional Assessment of the Symptomatic Patient on a Plant-Based Diet: Seven Key Questions

Protein is Essential for Health: Are You Getting Enough?

Plant-Based Diets Lack Taurine

How Whey Protein Supports Healthy Metabolism

Menstrual Cycle Wellness: Key Minerals and Protein

Protein Helps Kids Grow

Whey Protein and Glycomacropeptides

Protein Is Essential for Thyroid Function – Are You Getting Enough?

Which Whey to Go?