Protein powder: What It Is, Forms, Cautions, and Clean Brands
Protein powder is concentrated protein from whey, casein, egg, or plants. It supports muscle recovery and daily protein intake.*
Forms and what to look for on the label
Whey isolate versus concentrate, or plant blends. Look for third-party testing for banned substances and contaminants.
Before you take it
Over two-thirds of 23 protein powders and shakes tested exceeded Consumer Reports’ level of concern for lead in a single serving (Consumer Reports, Oct 2025). Testing really matters here.
What independent doctors say
On his Oct 22, 2026 episode, Dr. Andrew Huberman pointed listeners to his episode with Dr. Layne Norton for total protein needs. He said: “It’s about 1 g per pound of body weight per day for most people, although there’s some variation depending on activity, etc.” He said whey protein “can be very useful for getting to and above a protein threshold.” He also said getting “some significant fraction of your nutrition from whole foods is going to be useful.” (Huberman Lab Essentials, Oct 22, 2026)
