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>I need to get my blood protein levels up because it is low
What “blood proteins” specifically and where did you get this tested?
>protein powders can contain toxic chemicals, the long term effects are unknown, and that we don’t know for sure what is in it.
You can mitigate most / all of these risks by buying from larger, more reputable companies. Because they have a big risk if they’re sued, they generally are quite tightly regulated internally.
You’re getting conflicting info because people have conflicting opinions on it. I’m in the anti-supplement camp simply because they aren’t FDA regulated, so they absolutely can contain random toxic chemicals with no oversight.
I also think they are just unnecessary. Sure, they are convenient for getting more protein. But they are expensive and I find it pretty easy to get all the protein I need just by eating food. By eating food you get all the other good nutrients that come along with it as well, instead of just pure protein.
I think you are better with Whole Food. Protein powder can be safe but are better use when someone tried to gain muscle. I personally prefer New Zealand Whey Concentrate because it is the less processed.