Protein Shakes found to contain toxic metals

We hear this again and again.  Protein drinks or shakes used by body builders, athletes or people who  are trying to lose weight are contaminated with toxic metals or banned substances.

An article in Consumer Reports magazine revealed several products which were found to be unsafe.

The article, Protein drinks You don't need the extra protein or the heavy metals our tests found

was published by Consumer Reports magazine.

Arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury are toxic heavy metals that were found in a number of protein drinks marketed as sports drinks or shakes.

BSN Lean Desert Protein Shake, Energy First Pro Energy Whey Protein and Muscle Milk were among the products found to have unsafe levels of heavy metals.

"The amount of lead in a single daily serving of eight of the protein supplements we tested would require that the products carry a warning in California. State legislation known as Proposition 65 mandates that manufacturers notify consumers when products contain toxic substances at levels the state says pose even a low cancer or reproductive risk," according to the report.

Muscle Milk Chocolate powder contained four heavy metals, with the of the metals among the highest of the products tested.

Popular sports supplement is toxic

Two popular sports performance supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxins, including a meth- like supplement.

Though it has been marketed as containing only natural ingredients, test results on Craze, an illicit designer drug manufactured by Driven Sports, revealed the contamination.

The same substance has also been found in Detonate, a product sold for weight loss.  Detonate is made by Gaspari Nutrition.

An article in USA Today detailed an investigation of the products.


http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/15/driven-sports-suspended-production-of-craze-amid-controversy/2990161/

Have You Joined the Wellness Revolution Yet?

The trend toward health and wellness continues nearly ten years on since Paul Zane Pilzer first published The Wellness Revolution. In that book, Pilzer predicted explosive growth in the health and wellness field in the coming decade. As we near the 10th anniversary since the publication of that book, that trend continues despite the weak economy of the past few years. Health and wellness has been one of the strongest and most recession resistant areas of the economy.

"Wellness industry products and services have perhaps the strongest legs of any product or service, as people immediately notice when someone has a wellness experience and are anxious to duplicate the results."
-- Paul Zane Pilzer
There are signs of this all around, as many more persons are seeking out alternative health practitioners who emphasize prevention rather than treatment of disease led by the baby boomer generation, but now closly followed by younger generations too.
A growing awareness of the effects of toxic chemicals in agribusiness as well as concerns about the use of hormones, antibiotics and general inhumane practices of raising livestock has contributed to the rising popularity of organic foods. The organic products, which have been raised without the use of chemical fertilizers, toxic pesticides, hormones and antibiotics has been a growth area in agriculture.
As consumers seek healthier alternatives, organic farming has morphed from the fringes of agricultural producers to main stream, as organic produce, dairy and other products are made available even in chain grocers such as Wal-Mart. Along with that is the increasing number of farmers markets where shoppers are able to buy locally produced food items ranging from flower plants and herbs, fruits and vegetables, honey, dairy, meat, poultry, and even baked goods directly from the producers.
Fitness and exercise venues are also areas that continue to grow although impacted somewhat by the recession as some people cut back on their spending for monthly memberships. Yoga, martial arts, jazzercise, health clubs, and other programs remain popular as people realize the value of physical activity for health and well-being.
These health trends are the result of increasing numbers of people who desire to take more control over their personal health and well being, by seeking more choices both in their diet and their options for physical fitness as well.