Cadmium Levels in Protein Shakes

By: Michael Zanecosky

To determine the amount of cadmium in protein shakes and other metals which can have detrimental effects of the body

Purpose

Looked at three different types of protein shakes ◦ Created different concentrations

ICP◦ created standards at 5ppm, 10ppm, 20ppm,

30ppm, and 40ppm XFR

◦ Ran each protein powder in XRF

Overview

Mass Peak Muscle Peak EAS Whey Protein

Protein Shakes

Method◦ Created standards for cadmium◦ Created samples for each protein shake

At .001g, .01g, .1g, and 1g/per liter of water◦ Detected for cadmium ◦ Ran samples◦ Ran standards

ICP

Samples of protein powder were placed in the XRF

XRF

Cadmium◦ Carcinogen, causes kidney abnormalities-

glycosuria and proteinuria, can cause cardiovascular disease

◦ Can take 20 years for your body to eliminate some of the cadmium ingested today

◦ Hazardous effects occur when in large amount◦ Daily recommended value is less than 5µg

Elements

Positive effects◦ Calcium

Bone growth, prevents colon and rectal cancers, can decrease blood pressure

◦ Potassium Reduces blood pressure, eliminates carbon dioxide

from body, maintains pH balance◦ Sulfur

Production of amino acids in antibodies and cell membranes, helps cells eliminate toxins

Elements

Positive effects◦ Iron

Transports oxygen, boost immune system, antioxidant

◦ Copper Wound healing

Elements

Negative effects ◦ Calcium

Fatigue, kidney stones, muscle cramps, osteoporosis, high blood pressure

◦ Potassium muscle weakness, low blood pressure, reduced

kidney function, heart arrhythmias◦ Sulfur

Heart damage, reduced eyesight, digestive problems, damages immune system

Elements

Negative Effects◦ Iron

Nausea, vomiting, liver failure, low blood pressure, and even death

◦ Copper Kidney failure, fever, low blood pressure, anemia,

and death

Elements

Mass Peak

XRF Results

Analyte PercentageCa 74.558%K 18.201%S 5.254%Fe 1.0243%Cu .743%

Muscle Peak

XRF Results

Analyte PercentageCa 70.699%K 18.262%s 11.039%

EAS Whey Protein

XRF Results

Analyte PercentageCa 71.914%K 19.536%S 7.087%Fe .828%Cu .591%F .043%

No cadmium was present at any dilution of the protein shakes for these three brands

ICP Results

No cadmium was present in samples Ca, K, S and the most prominent elements

in protein shakes All of these elements have positive and

negative effects in certain concentrations

Conclusion

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/2010/july/food/protein-drinks/what-our-tests-found/index.htm

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/cadmium/healtheffects.html http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/twelfth/profiles/

Cadmium.pdf http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/

ingredientmono-781-CALCIUM.aspx?activeIngredientId=781&activeIngredientName=CALCIUM

http://www.natural-health-information-centre.com/potassium.html

Sources