Questionable chemicals in protein powders, eggs, chicken

[superstition]

I used to use protein powders for bodybuilding, but after reading about the possible toxicity of sweeteners like Stevia and other additives, I quit. The majority of these powders have some type of artificial sweetener, and no artificial sweetener is 100% free of controversy.

Studies have found that aspartame turns into formaldehyde in the body as well as wood alcohol. Many dismiss the concerns while others consider them serious enough to avoid it. Stevia has never been approved as a regular food additive in the US, although it's used in some other countries. Sucralose (or "Splenda") is controversial because it's a chlorine-containing molecule and 10-15% of it is absorbed/metabolized, despite what the manufacturer said when it was introduced. Acesulfame K is present with most other artificial sweetners as well. Artificial sweetners are a big business, and the health of consumers isn't always at the heart of business.

Most chicken feed contains arsenic to kill gut parasites that reduce a chicken's growth weight/egg productivity. Organic chicken and eggs are probably safer to eat. Some companies sell powdered egg protein for bodybuilders, but I've yet to see organic. Turkey feed, by the way, doesn't contain the arsenic, although I've yet to hear of powdered turkey protein as a product and it would put you to sleep, too.

I had to quit using whey protein powders because of tomach pain and throat swelling, so I'm suspicious about those, too. Even the unflavored one I tried caused that. While my symptoms sound like an allergy, milk and normal milk products never bother me.

 

[K1052]

your user name is more than appropriate....

 

[skace]

superstition is a good name for you .

FYI, interesting read about Stevia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevia
You can read about the politics behind it, since it is actually organic.

And while Sucralose may have some controversy caused by a lack of real long term studies, nothing major has been found with it yet.


http://ourworld.compuserve.com...tevecarper/AHC0699.htm
You may want to try a whey protein isolate.

 

[sherwinz28]

http://www.dpsnutrition.net/get_item_on050.htm

No artificial sweeteners. The taste is really bland though...no way I could drink it with water.

 

[Goi]

There are unflavored protein powders if you want, but Stevia is actually not bad for your body. Like skace mentioned, it's denial by the FDA is more politics than anything else. The naturally occurring substance was declared guilty until proven innocent, while in the same year(or very nearly), approved aspartame, an artifically made chemical, declaring it innocent until proven guilty.

 

[TallBill]

Mmm, I'll keep eating what I do. Not really worried.

 

[LucJoe]

I've been using ON Natural Chocolate, nothing artificial in it and it tastes pretty damn good. Obviously missing the sweet flavor that you get with the regular ON whey but ask yourself this:

Do you really crave that sweet taste so much that you're willing to put controversial lab produced chemicals (whether or not they are bad for you remains to be seen, but they definitely have no positive effect on your body) into you just to trick your taste buds into thinking you're drinking sugar?

 

[onlyCOpunk]

Of course actually eating your recommended amount of protein is the best option. So If you are able to substitute it for food then that's even better then powder mix all together.

As far as organics go...there are more harmful chemicals to your body in a raw potato then any inorganic piece of food. Something to think about. Organic has become a bit of a gimmick these days, a way for a company to charge a little more.