My dad's been giving me shit about using protein shakes, becasue he doesn't trust the fact that these aren't FDA approved (that actually worries me too), the powder is from Milk whey, which comes from cows. He thinks that the Growth hormone seeps into whey, and i'm somehow going to screw up my body with this. And i can't just discount his advice, he's a psychiatrist who's dealt with patients who's lives have been destroyed by drugs (including steroids). I'm using Optimum Nutrition Gold standard Rocky road. I looked for anything suspicious in the ingredients, but it seemed to be just protein. Anyone know if there is anything potentially harmful about this protein powder, or is my dad's claim unfounded?

There's nothing wrong with any protein powder in general. His claims are unfounded, but are typical of the stereotypes you hear from people about protein powder let alone any other supplements. It's not FDA approved because it's not a drug, it's a food supplement. I believe high fructose corn syrup & trans fat are approved by the FDA. Both have mountains of evidence that they raise bad cholesterol, contribute to type 2 diabetes & obesity. I'd be more suspicious of what is approved by the FDA than what isn't.

Sounds like you and your father are having dietary issues. First peanut butter, now whey.

I think you need to do your research, detail your plans, and sit down with him to show him why you are doing what you are doing and what your goals are.

Whey's safe, and ON is a pretty respected brand. I can't imagine there being more hormones in whey than there would be in whole milk. Less I suspect due to the way they seperate the whey from the casein and everything else in the milk.

Whey and calcium caseinate are both used in Ensure, which is fed to many people who have problems eating and filling their nutritional requirements. I would assume if it works for sick people in that situation, it's safe enough for you.

Well, what I said here: Sometimes we have to let go of our dads as dads... (http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/showpost.php?p=499421&postcount=5)

One of things I became aware of as I learned more and more on JSF, that I knew more about living with a healthy body than my doctor did... And he is pretty brilliant....

There may be a bit of the young prince dethroning the now aging king phenomenon going on here. (what I mean by this is that Dad may be feeling a little threatened by your growing knowledge and success which comes from a perspective that disagrees with his -- but you have results to back yours-- which may be making him feel a little bit inadequate or aging.)

MannishBoy is correct. What your dad is fretting over does not make sense, unless he is against all milk products.

I must admit that I now get milk products derived from grass-fed cows (instead of corn-fed) who received no hormones or antibiotics. I also eat beef, chicken, pork and lamb that way as well.

I wish it were possible to get protein powder that way... but it will come soon. Grass-fed animal products is just starting to expand.

Anyway, you keep on doing what you are doing. Nothing breeds success like success.... :tu:

Well, what I said here: Sometimes we have to let go of our dads as dads... (http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/showpost.php?p=499421&postcount=5)

One of things I became aware of as I learned more and more on JSF, that I knew more about living with a healthy body than my doctor did... And he is pretty brilliant....

There may be a bit of the young prince dethroning the now aging king phenomenon going on here. (what I mean by this is that Dad may be feeling a little threatened by your growing knowledge and success which comes from a perspective that disagrees with his -- but you have results to back yours-- which may be making him feel a little bit inadequate or aging.)

MannishBoy is correct. What your dad is fretting over does not make sense, unless he is against all milk products.

I must admit that I now get milk products derived from grass-fed cows (instead of corn-fed) who received no hormones or antibiotics. I also eat beef, chicken, pork and lamb that way as well.

I wish it were possible to get protein powder that way... but it will come soon. Grass-fed animal products is just starting to expand.

Anyway, you keep on doing what you are doing. Nothing breeds success like success.... :tu:


my dad and mom were getting worried when i started doing some protein shakes, supplements, and eating fewer carbs, more protein, more fats, and concentrating my carbs around the morning, or dark green vegetbales.

now that i can deadlift double my weight, do 15 pullups in a row, do weighted pullups, and dumbbell bench press my weight as well as clean and jerk my weight, oh and run a 24 minute 5k... as well as have double digit blood pressure and a resting heart rate of 48... well, they kinda ask me for suggestions and advice.. hahaha.

but they were terrified / yelled at me for taking stuff when i started.