As if failing an anti-doping test due to consuming products made with banned substances was not enough of a reason for athletes to avoid unregulated nutritional supplements, a new Clean Label Project (CLP) study shows 47% of protein powder supplements contain toxic lead and other heavy metals.

“Heavy metal contaminant is a global food safety problem. These contaminants are basically everywhere, including in things that are being represented as health foods,” said CLP Executive Director Jaclyn Bowen, a USA nonprofit dedicated to transparent food labeling.

The CLP investigation found many protein powders are contaminated with lead and cadmium, with chocolate flavored plant-based products containing up to four times more lead than vanilla.

For the investigation, CLP purchased 160 samples of the best-selling protein powders. Researchers then compared lead and cadmium testing results with levels set by California’s Proposition 65 – the most advanced law in the USA for industrial environmental contamination.

Overall, 47% of the samples tested by CLP exceeded Proposition 65 regulatory guidelines, with nearly 80% of the plant-based and organic protein powders over the limit, according to the study.

There is no safe level of lead for athletes – or any human. It is a known neurotoxin and can increased risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems, kidney damage and cancers.

The study encourages athletes to prioritize safety, product quality and risk of testing positive for banned substances when considering use of unregulated nutritional supplements, recommending non-chocolate flavored whey or collagen based protein powders if supplemental protein is needed.

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