Now Sports 100% Whey Protein Isolate (Natural Unflavored) review

[LMT42]

I've been searching for an affordable protein powder sans sugar, artificial sweeteners and fillers. Most all-natural whey powders are too expensive IMO or they don't fully divulge their ingredients (On Gold Standard Natural). While Now is expensive in small quantities, it can be purchased in 100 lb. bags for $90.00. Nine dollars a pound is very competitive for pure whey isolate (it does contain less than one percent soy lecithin).

Nine out of ten reviews are positive, but a handful said this stuff tastes horrible and is inedible. I came of age when Rocky was drinking raw eggs and Weider powder was about the only thing available. Back then it was about consuming extra protein, taste be damned. I decided to try this brand thinking I could handle it even if it tasted horrible. To my surprise it has virtually no taste when mixed with non-fat, organic milk. I mixed it with a fork and there were no lumps. I haven't tried it in water or juice, but so far so good.

I want to recommend this product for clean eaters in the forum who may be interested. I'm also fishing for any negative feedback before I buy a 100 lb bag. If you've found something cleaner and cheaper please comment. If not, buy a small tub of this and give it a try. Beware of their flavored versions as they contain fructose.

Ingredients: 100% Microfiltered whey protein isolate (milk)(providing B-lactoglobulin, a-lactalbumin, immunoglobins and glycomacro peptides)and Soy Lecithin(<1%).

Nutrition facts: http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/...2?quantity=6.0

Note: I'm not in any way affiliated with Now Sports. Just sharing information with the forum.

[Ouroborous]

I just picked up a bunch of this stuff myself and I agree, it pretty much tastes like milk by itself.

Admittedly, I had no concern for how it might taste as well--I've been known to pound raw (pasteurized) egg shakes with OJ when I don't have protein powder on hand.

[Vic303]

How does it fare for the heavy metals that have been found in so many other protein and nutrition shake mixes?

[LMT42]

I have no idea and I've heard of no additional studies since the 2010 report from Consumer Reports.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/m...rink/index.htm

It may be worth noting that the highest levels reported were in flavored products, specifically chocolate, from Muscle Milk and EAS. This leads me to believe the powder was contaminated during processing, or from the added ingredients, rather than in the whey itself. Of course I'm not sure if these companies acquire their whey from the same source or make their own.

I found a lab that will test for the big four (lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury) for $99.00. I may send off a batch for analysis.

[BioLayne]

well it's going to taste pretty bad without sweeteners. Especially as an isolate. I guess my question would be why the hand wringing over artificial sweeteners? I'll probably open a can of worms because people tend to be touchy when it comes to this stuff, but there are a lot of REALLY misleading articles out there about artificial sweeteners that use fear mongering, half truths, and outright lies to convince you they are dangerous. The fact of the matter is they are one of the most tested compounds in the world and time and time again in human trials have shown themselves to be safe in normal doses.

http://www.denovonutrition.com/sucralose/

http://andevidencelibrary.com/topic.cfm?cat=4089&auth=1

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17828671

as for heavy metals, I'm sure they exist in some shady products, however I'm not convinced that the 'study' by consumer reports was not overly biased against some products. That said, if you are concerned, email companies and ask for companies that are GMP certified and can show lab analysis of their products. Scivation is one company that does that, and I believe NOW foods does as well but don't quote me on that.

[WillBrink]

How does it fare for the heavy metals that have been found in so many other protein and nutrition shake mixes?

Actually, CR found I recall higher levels in something like 3 out of 10 (been a while since I looked), and the protocol totally unrealistic and essentially of no "real world" value.

My commentary on that at the time:

http://www.brinkzone.com/videos/will...sumer-reports/