Powder check

The Brief

Welcome back, Wellworthy readers.

You’ve probably seen — protein powder is going viral for all the wrong reasons.

Consumer Reports called out several best-selling brands for containing trace heavy metals like lead, sparking panic and pushback from scientists and supplement makers.

So, we called in the experts to answer: what’s really in our shake?

Here’s what’s inside this issue:

• What Consumer Reports actually measured, and what it means

• How nutrition experts interpret supplement safety data

• What you can do to choose safer products

• Buffy brings protein dips, Gymshark hits retail, and GORUCK builds for women
  

— Here we go!
Jake, Joana & Ash — Team Wellworthy

The Breakdown

Consumer Reports tested 23 protein powders and found trace amounts of heavy metals in most — some even above their “level of concern.” The findings spread fast, sparking fears about whether shakes meant to boost health might pose hidden risks.

What experts are saying

“Heavy metals are everywhere in our environment,” says Dr. Adrian Chavez, nutrition scientist and educator. “They come from the soil, crops, and even manufacturing equipment. That’s why plant proteins often test higher than animal proteins, which are derived from milk and processed differently.”

Immunologist Dr. Andrea Love says there’s more to the story. Her analysis found that Consumer Reports relied on a decade-old benchmark that doesn’t reflect modern science. By current standards, she notes, most results were likely well below what would be considered risky.

Dr. Nima Alamdari, Chief Scientific Officer at Ritual, adds that this is where testing and transparency matter most. “Third-party certification is one of the best ways to ensure a supplement is safe and accurately labeled,” he says. “Brands that prioritize safety will often publish their results or share them upon request.”

Why it matters

The supplement aisle runs on marketing, not mandatory science. Brands don’t have to prove safety or quality before selling, which means it’s on consumers to look a little closer at what they’re buying.

What you can do

• Look for third-party testing. Certifications like NSF Certified for Sport®, Informed Choice, or USP Verified confirm products are independently tested for contaminants and label accuracy. Dr. Chavez echoes Dr. Alamdari’s point, noting that regulation in the supplement space remains minimal. “Anyone can create a product, put anything inside that bottle, and make any claims they want without oversight — this is why testing is important.”

• Check (or ask) for transparency. Reputable brands publish Certificates of Analysis (COAs) or share batch-testing data publicly. Dr. Alamdari suggests sticking with brands that share clear information about their testing and sourcing.

• Mix up your protein sources. Balance powders with whole-food proteins such as eggs, lean meats, lentils, or Greek yogurt.

The takeaway: There’s no solid evidence your protein powder is doing you harm — but the industry’s lack of oversight deserves attention. Buy smarter, ask questions, and keep your wellness grounded in science, not headlines.

SwimClub: The 90-day plan for better sperm health

^{Presented by SwimClub.}

One in four men now has below-average sperm quality. Yet despite sperm counts down nearly 60% since 1970, solutions for men are rarely talked about.

Spermatogen Complex from SwimClub is prepared to change that. Co-created with Stanford urologist Dr. Michael Eisenberg, this protocol targets the four foundations of sperm health: count, movement, shape, and overall quality.

The formula combines 12 clinically studied ingredients — including CoQ10, L-carnitine, zinc, methylfolate, vitamin D3, and selenium — at effective doses, hormone-free and third-party tested.

Why 90 days? Because you can’t hack biology. Sperm take about three months to fully develop, and SwimClub’s plan is designed around that timeline.

Ready to be proactive?

Just Dropped

New products and drops spotted → 

Supplements & nutrition

Buffy Protein launched meat-based protein dips — real chicken mixed with cottage cheese, garlic, and lemon juice. Each serving packs 9g of protein and comes in classic flavors like Buffalo and Caesar. Clean ingredients meet comfort food energy. Try them yourself.

Momentous is making creatine simpler with its new chewable format. Most creatine chews are underdosed or filled with additives, but these deliver 1g of pure Creapure® creatine per chew, are NSF Certified for Sport®, and contain no artificial ingredients. Get them here.

Dirty Gut introduced probiotic dark chocolate with a billion live cultures in every bite. Think velvety cocoa with a fruity finish — and gut support baked in. Give it a try.

Thorne dropped Peach Mango Creatine + BCAAs to support both intense exercise and post-workout recovery. It’s for those of you who want more without overloading your stack. Shop now.

Fitness & training

GORUCK introduced the Spy Ruck, its first weighted training vest built specifically for women. Combining durability with fit, comfort, and balance, it builds on the brand’s roots in the rucking movement. See the vest.

Xplate dropped a portable strength system that replaces kettlebells, plates, and bars together in one setup. Now you can train anywhere without the clutter or unused membership guilt. Now live on Kickstarter.

Smart health tech

Noom just rolled out Future Me, an AI-powered tool built with Haut.AI that lets users preview how their skin might age based on lifestyle choices. It turns long-term habits into visible outcomes. Read more.

On Our Radar 

What's moving in wellness this week → 

Gymshark is going retail. The UK fitness brand just teamed up with Dick’s Sporting Goods, marking its first U.S. retail partnership. For a brand built on community and content, it’s a strategic play to meet its audience IRL.

Sportswear redefines athletic femininity. Nike teamed up with London label KNWLS for an eight-piece collection featuring Flyknit corsets and weatherproof twinsets that merge performance with high-fashion edge. It reflects how sportswear now moves between training and self-expression — made for the gym, but ready for wherever you end up after.

Hers enters menopause care. The digital health platform adds a new specialty for women in perimenopause and menopause, offering personalized treatment plans led by trained providers. The move follows Natural Cycles’ recent perimenopause expansion, reflecting femtech's growing focus on midlife health.

Kohler’s new division bets on home wellness. With the launch of Kohler Health and its smart toilet, the brand behind your sink and shower is positioning home as the center of well-being. Wellness tech is moving from wearables to fixtures, making our personalized spaces the next frontier for health.