Moderation: Is too much protein bad?

Obviously people should know not to consume things whose ingredients they don't know for sure, right? Wrong. Many people consume protein shakes and protein powder without fully knowing the chemicals they contain, and this could turn out to be a fatal mistake. Inconclusive studies have been conducted on several products, meaning that they are not 100% safe for ingestion. Chemicals such as lead, arsenic, and mercury have been found in protein shakes, meaning that too much can become toxic and can cause severe illness or even death. Just one or two shakes of Muscle Milk contains 13.5 mcg of lead. The NY State Department of health says that toxicity of the blood begins at 10mcg/dL and will only worsen with more exposure. 

In addition to those toxic substances being in protein shakes, another potentially dangerous ingredient has raised concerns. Aspartic acid, a non-essential amino acid that can be produced by the body itself, is said to produce the sweetener aspartame, which could potentially be unsafe for the body when combined with other elements of protein shakes. Aspartic acid is used for protein synthesis, and to make other amino acids during metabolism. Additionally, it greatly aids the removal of toxins from the body. Spartame is made up of two amino acids -- phenylalanine and aspartic acid -- and an alcohol methanol. There is an ongoing debate as to whether these combined ingredients are safe for your body. 

Bottom Line: Protein shakes may work, but exercise caution while consuming them.