Comments on: 7 x Popular Whey Protein Products Fail BCAA Test

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 21:42:42 +0000

I have been buying promix raw grass fed whey. They have excellent reviews. I’m a snob when it comes to supplements. I’m willing to pay more for quality. I think most supplements are junk. Read the reviews and do the research before buying anything.

By: Jason Mazepa

Jason Mazepa — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 18:33:46 +0000

@Mark, yeah thanks for the link however, it’s a paid subscription to view the results. I just wanted to have a read. So in light of being light on the BCAA’s…supplementing with a good BCAA is going to be needed here weather it’s Optimum Nutrition or MyProtein. to ensure proper BCAA intake. Correct?

I’m still shaking my head here. And pissed at all the cash I’ve spent. I always do my diligence researching the best of whatever I’m after. I went by Labdoor’s findings and stuck with ON because they still had an A rating. For Gold Standard that is. I rely on Whey for a convenient slam of protein but …if it’s a joke then maybe it’s time to save the cash?

By: Mark McManus

Mark McManus — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 18:07:31 +0000

@Ryan. Thanks for the heads up, pal. Fixed.

By: Ryan Pierce

Ryan Pierce — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 16:00:15 +0000

Mark, check your units in the article. You’ve got “mg” for what should be “g”.

By: Flemming

Flemming — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 11:42:53 +0000

Mark, my point was that the lab results show discrepancies between the label claims and the actual content of products from most supplement companies, evidently MyProtein included. My guess is the numbers will be widely different from batch to batch from most companies, and that even though they all claim to hold exceptionally high quality standards they also know that practically no one will ever test their claims.

MyProtein scores about average in “Label Accuracy” on labdoor.com, no worse than most, but not exactly a safe haven either.

Optimum Nutrition Instantized BCAA 5000 scores well above average in label accuracy (and well above the MyProtein BCAA I mentioned above) actually. Numbers are :

This product contains 51.5% leucine by concentration. The claimed serving size (5750 mg) will yield 2961.3 mg of leucine, 18.5% over its 2500 mg label claim.
This product contains 15.6% isoleucine by concentration. The claimed serving size (5750 mg) will yield 897.0 mg of isoleucine, 28.2% below its 1250 mg label claim.
This product contains 27.6% valine by concentration. The claimed serving size (5750 mg) will yield 1587.0 mg of valine, 26.9% over its 1250 mg label claim.

Does this mean we should not be sceptical of ONs label claims from here on out? of course not, and the same should be the case with MyProtein’s label claims…

By: Mark McManus

Mark McManus — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 09:04:41 +0000

@Jason Mazepa. The study was titled, ‘Measurement of level of branched chain amino acids in nutritional supplements.’ You can read more about it here, buddy.

https://www.fasebj.org/content/29/1_Supplement/559.25

Lamela D, Sachandani, Hubble K, Keenan K. Measurement of level of branched chain amino acids in nutritional supplements. The FASEB Journal.vol. 29 no. 1 Supplement 559.25. April 2015

By: Mark McManus

Mark McManus — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 09:00:39 +0000

@flemming. I think that was supposed to be a criticism of MyProtein?
On their own packaging they state that their whey concentrate contains 19-20g protein per 25g serving. That’s exactly what the study you referenced has found.
The fat and sodium count being lower is a good thing for whey.

Regarding MyProtein BCAAs. When people buy BCAAs, the most important amino is Leucine (as I stated in the article). So in the independent study, the Leucine count was actually higher in real life than what MyProtein claimed on the packaging – that’s great.
The Valine count was also higher.
One amino acid, isoleucine was found to be lower. If that was repeated with other samples, then that would be a fair criticism and MyProtein need to get it sorted – but that’s about it.

So their whey has been proven to be as stated, and the BCAAs are pretty much as stated – and if you’re in it for the Leucine – it may be even better.

Overall – a vindicating result for MyProtein.

By: Hans Kehler

Hans Kehler — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 05:54:19 +0000

Good to know. Thanks for the info Mark.

Labdoor.com has analyzed some of MyProtein’s products also

By: Anthony Edwards

Anthony Edwards — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 21:40:55 +0000

Australian buyers should check out https://www.bulknutrients.com.au/
Inexpensive, tasty, very high quality, not filled with crap. Based in Tassie.

By: Robert Vincelette

Robert Vincelette — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 17:38:56 +0000

I profile “supplement” and protein powder which is better defined as food itself than a supplement by whether they put artificial sweetener and colors in their product and by whether they use sports celebrities to sell. This killed off all the brands on your registry and then some.

By: Jason Mazepa

Jason Mazepa — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 17:15:34 +0000

Thanks Max, yes I have researched the heck out of Canadianprotein.com but……its all self proclaimed tests nothing 3rd party so I was really skeptical. They look great. But was still worried it was not pure etc. How have got on with it?

And myprotein ships to Canada now bro, I ordered a bunch of protein and vitamins beta al etc etc and only $14 shipping to my door! FYI for you.

Thanks for the help Max. I’m so pissed off I feel like writing a letter to ON. Joke.

Still like to know what lab tested this. Good to know now than later. So thanks Mark for the big bs revealed.

By: Max

Max — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 16:29:19 +0000

Jason I’ve put posts here before on this. I always bought my protein from My protein.com when I lived in the UK. When I moved to Canada I found that anything from the US was very expensive. I discovered Canadianprotein.com which seems to run on similar ethical principles to MP, but is much cheaper for a Canadian. I suggest you check it out for future (I don’t work for them, I’m just a fan).

By: Johnny Coombes

Johnny Coombes — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 15:30:10 +0000

It would be interesting to see a comparison between:

Myprotein
Proteinworks
Gonutrition

Which are 3 of the popular Mail Order brands.

By: John

John — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 14:57:08 +0000

A really good brand is Legion Athletics. The owner is also the author of Bigger Leaner Stronger. Although, he shares the same view as this site on training (only exception is the rep range for beginners which is 4-6 reps), he’s been a huge advocate about supplement companies selling garbage, underdosing their ingredients, using filler ingredients, etc. He set out to start this supplement company and I think they’re all high quality products. The whey protein they produce is as advertised.

By: Jason Mazepa

Jason Mazepa — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 14:32:13 +0000

Oh come on!! That’s brutal I just did my last buy one get on of ON gold. Mark, who did this study? I was waiting to see what independent lab did this? Was it labdoor?

This is so maddening for hard earned cash and hard work put into the gym. Also to note, I ordered my first batch of impact whey from my protein here in Canada. I just can’t believe this about ON. Brutal. Let us know who conducted this test.

By: Check-shyong Quek

Check-shyong Quek — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 13:30:52 +0000

Yeah! Kudos to the person or people who had carried out the independent tests and shame to those companies who had taken us for a ride for a long time! And in America, you all can actually sue them and ask for compensation, right? But it is so disheartening to know that even ON is also on the list!

By: flemming

flemming — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 12:56:09 +0000

“These companies play us for fools, since they know we can’t test the products for ourselves.” they sure do, Mark. And no need to question their claims either, at least not when our affiliate revenue depends on it, eh?

Have a look at Labdoor.com’s analysis of Impact Whey Protein:

Total fat was measured at 1.45g/serving, 3.7% below its 1.5g label claim.
Total cholesterol was measured at 54.25mg/serving, 171.3% over its 20mg label claim.
Total sodium was measured at 67.25mg/serving, 10.3% below its 75 label claim.
Total calcium was measured at 66mg/serving, 56.0% below its 150mg label claim.
Total sugar was measured at 0.96g/serving. This product did not include any label claims for sugar content.
Total protein was measured at 76.9g per 100g of product. A 25g serving will yield 19.2g protein, 3.9% below its label claim.

Sadly they don’t test for BCAA specifically on protein powders, but actual contents and label claims don’t exactly match for your favorite supplement supplier either.

Here’s the data from their MyProtein BCAA:
This product contains 52.1% leucine by concentration. The claimed serving size (5000 mg) will yield 2605.0 mg of leucine, 4.2% over its 2500 mg label claim.

This product contains 12.6% isoleucine by concentration. The claimed serving size (5000 mg) will yield 630.0 mg of isoleucine, 49.6% below its 1250 mg label claim.

This product contains 30.3% valine by concentration. The claimed serving size (5000 mg) will yield 1515.0 mg of valine, 21.2% over its 1250 mg label claim.

Source:
https://labdoor.com/report/myprotein-impact-whey-protein
https://labdoor.com/report/myprotein-bcaa

By: Roman

Roman — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 12:22:41 +0000

It’s hard to know who to trust. Supplement companies suck 🙁

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 12:20:37 +0000

Good for me I don’t use any of the bands.