Are Protein Powders Safe? Exploring Potential Side Effects

Lactose is a sugar found in milk products and milk which is also present in whey-based protein powder. If you are allergic to lactose and have consumed lactose-containing protein powder, then you are likely to experience digestion related problems. You may feel swollen or bloated or face diarrhea. Stomach pain and nausea may also affect you. If you are allergic to lactose, then you should try to consume lactose-free protein powder to avoid these side effects.

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If you are allergic to lactose, then you should take pea-based protein powder. But in very rare cases, it is possible to be sensitive to pea-based protein as well. Pea protein extracts contain oligosaccharides carbohydrate molecules that can cause gas and intestinal discomfort.

Phytoestrogens, like isoflavones, found in soy protein, can disrupt hormonal balance in the body. They can block actual estrogen in the body by reducing estrogen activity or they can cause an increase in estrogen activity when the isoflavones present in soy protein activate your body's receptors. It has also been found that soy protein may cause reproductive problems, especially affecting the fertility of women.

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Most protein powders contain sweeteners to make them more tasty. Always check what type of sugar or sweetener is used in your protein powder. Sugar alcohols such as maltitol and sorbitol as well as isolated fructose can cause stomach discomfort. Excessive consumption of sorbitol is known to produce a laxative effect and can cause diarrhea. Regularly consuming too much sweetened protein powder can upset the intestinal balance. Which can also affect your immunity. Therefore, you can also add honey to enhance the taste of sugar-free protein powder.

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Health professionals recommend taking protein powder when the liver is damaged. But with a damaged liver, protein is not processed properly in the body. This means that harmful toxic waste products can build up in your body. So whether you should consume protein powder in limited quantities or not, it will depend on your medical history and for the best decision you should consult your doctor.

Testing samples of different brands of protein powder revealed toxic heavy metals in all varieties of protein powder. These heavy metals included lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium. All of these can cause a number of side effects including constipation, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, as well as headaches. The amount of these potentially toxic metals is not ideal, however. Therefore, consuming this type of protein powder can be fatal for you.

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High intake of phytoestrogens in soy protein powder may be linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. Animal studies have shown that soy isoflavones can increase the growth of breast cancer tumors. But there have been no conclusive studies in this regard yet, so as a precaution, you can cut down on soy protein consumption or use protein powder made from an alternative source.

Some research suggests that milk proteins may contribute to type 1 diabetes. Also, because these powders contain saturated fat and cholesterol, they may also be associated with an increased risk of heart disease. More research is needed before using or avoiding these powders in this context. But considering the composition of the powder and the potential issues from fat and milk proteins, consult your doctor before consuming it if you are at risk of any of the mentioned disease conditions.

But if you consume protein powder in limited quantities, then all these disadvantages can be avoided.

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Protein powder is commonly used to strengthen muscles and increase fitness, but it can also have some potential disadvantages. Consuming protein powder in large quantities for a long time can increase pressure on the kidneys and liver, causing damage to these organs. In addition, the artificial flavors, sugars, and preservatives present in it can cause digestive problems or allergies. If taken as a substitute for a balanced diet, it can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor or dietitian before using protein powder.