Beyond the label: the importance of scientific backing and quality control in protein supplements

Choosing a protein supplement should not be based only on the brand or the price.

The real difference is whether its quality has been verified by an independent laboratory.

In the United States, regulation falls under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but this agency does not approve or test supplements before they are sold.

Outside the U.S., each country has its own health authority. For example, in Guatemala, regulation depends on the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance, and the criteria are not the same from country to country.

That is why phrases such as cGMP or manufactured in a registered facility do not mean that the product has been tested by an external laboratory.

The real assurance comes when a protein has independent certification, such as:

• NSF International – NSF Certified / NSF Certified for Sport

• United States Pharmacopeia – USP Verified

• Informed Choice / Informed Sport

• ConsumerLab

Why is this important?

When a protein is not tested by third parties, it may contain:

• heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury),

• microbiological contamination (bacteria and molds),

• undeclared traces of allergens,

• less actual protein than what is stated on the label,

• residues or contaminants from the manufacturing process.

This has been documented by Consumer Reports and the Clean Label Project.

The real difference comes down to one simple question:

Who verified this product, and under which standards?

Choosing proteins with independent certification is not an exaggeration.

It is a responsible practice, based on evidence, transparency, and respect for health.

Pauline Barbick

Sports Nutritionist & Strength and Conditioning Specialist

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Más allá de la etiqueta: la importancia del respaldo científico y los controles de calidad en suplementos de proteína

Elegir una proteína no debería basarse solo en la marca o el precio.

La diferencia real está en si su calidad ha sido verificada por un laboratorio independiente.

En Estados Unidos, la regulación corresponde a la Food and Drug Administration (FDA), pero esta agencia no aprueba ni analiza los suplementos antes de su venta.

Fuera de EE. UU., cada país tiene su propia autoridad sanitaria. Por ejemplo, en Guatemala la regulación depende del Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social, y los criterios no son iguales entre países.

Por eso, frases como cGMP o fabricado en instalación registrada no significan que el producto haya sido analizado por un laboratorio externo.

El verdadero respaldo aparece cuando una proteína cuenta con certificación independiente, como:

• NSF International – NSF Certified / NSF Certified for Sport

• United States Pharmacopeia – USP Verified

• Informed Choice / Informed Sport

• ConsumerLab

¿Por qué es importante?

Cuando una proteína no es analizada por terceros, puede contener:

• metales pesados (plomo, arsénico, cadmio, mercurio),

• contaminación microbiológica (bacterias y mohos),

• trazas de alérgenos no declarados,

• menos proteína real de la que indica la etiqueta,

• residuos o contaminantes del proceso de fabricación.

Esto ha sido documentado por Consumer Reports y el Clean Label Project.

La diferencia real está en una sola pregunta:

¿quién verificó este producto y bajo qué estándares?

Elegir proteínas con certificación independiente no es exagerar.

Es una práctica responsable, basada en evidencia, transparencia y respeto por la salud.

Pauline Barbick

Nutricionista deportiva y especialista en fuerza y acondicionamiento

The fitness industry… dream crusher?

The fitness industry is crazy, challenging and competitive. I never imagine how much work you have to put into…

I have always been obsessed with those muscular figures you see on TV. I love the strong appearance they project. The strength. The feeling it causes when you see it. I imagine those bodies weren’t just pure genetics but also a combination of hard work in and out. I was so right. It is sleeping, eating and thinking around your next goal.

A year ago when I started this whole transformation. I knew a bit about training and healthy eating but honestly, I was so far from really knowing. I have met the most interesting people along this journey. I am always so open to learn from others because that is how we always become better and wiser. So I ask, I speak and I listen closely.
Yes, there is a difference between healthy and in shape and being fit or athletic, big and ripped. The first one is logically normal people that go to the gym to workout, to stay in shape and healthy. To improved their life. To lose those pounds they need to and keep the routine. Their goal is to look good and feel good. They smile when they train. They are nice and friendly. Their eating is whatever they love. They enjoy life, pure and free, which is the reason we are here in this world, right?

The second type is a bit more extreme and the percentage is fewer. It is a constant psychological game. It’s always being aware of what we feed the muscles or how we train to get bigger. A constant fight to become stronger and lift heavier each time. To make every last rep count. A grind. A scream. A goal conquered. That need for adrenaline, pump and emotion. It’s setting constant goals to radically improve the appearance. It’s a fight, it’s a game, it’s a dream being accomplished. It is winning every single day by conquering a push, a squat, a pull.

We live a regimented existence. Eating almost the same things day in and day out. It’s a healthy style of eating, simple and straight. Sleep enough, eat enough and only exactly what we need depending on the season. All to keep improving. Is it worth it?
If they compete in shows, they totally change eating pattern, training as well to improve the body. They can transform how they look in 24-48 hours, with this comes a lot of effort in between. No cheating, not quitting! Trust me, it is hard mentally and physically; it is a challenge but at the end it’s worth it.

Why anybody would do this? Sounds stupid! But sometimes you have to experience the worst to really get the best out of you. To look this good is harder than we think! There is no magic pill for it. It is hard work day in and day out. The results are always worth it even if common sense at beginning tell you to quit.

I started as a normal person with a goal to lose 30 pounds. I set a time goal of 12 weeks for it. Once I accomplished that, I knew I could go farther. I learned I was capable of pushing myself to extremes. I kept going until this day. I have a picture in my mind of how I want to look and I will never quit until accomplished. Once there, I picture again something else to accomplish and push. Is it worth it? Totally. I am no longer depressed. I no longer have low self esteem. If I wake up in a bad mood or sick, a session in the gym will solve it all. Yes, it’s worth it. Best thing you can do is work on yourself.

I want to make clear, I am not trying to discourage anyone with this. I am trying to make people aware that what they see in magazines and tv most of the time is possible but takes time and effort. Fitness models don’t look like that every single day. They have on/ off seasons. They have to prepare for sessions. Wear make up on their body to make the muscles be more noticeable. Lights, poses and even retouches. All is behind a camera. So you are trying to achieve a goal and don’t see dramatic changes, know they will come if you keep pushing. It is a long journey full of discipline, consistency, perseverance, patience, hard work and mental disposition. Anyone can get there. It’s up to us which goals and look we want to acquire. It’s up to us to set our minds and achieve it. The mind goes as far as we push it. We just have to believe we can. Just remember never stopping is the key to all successes and to conquer!

 

Do you know Pauline?

Pauline was born in a small beautiful country, full of life and colors, laughs and love, friendly people… A place called the land of the eternal spring… Guatemala!

Her mom divorced her dad when she was 7. Later at 10, she lost her dad in a motorcycle accident and her mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer at 11. Pauline has a brother 12 years older but based on circumstances he was raised with dad and she by her mom. She took care of her mom for 7 years after the diagnosis. Her mom was a fighter, an angel and a true hero that didn’t let the cancer bring her down; she knew couldn’t leave Pauline alone before she turned into an adult. She finally gave up once Pauline turned 18. She was ready and Pauline was ready to let her go.

Many lonely nights ahead hit her. So many different hard moments as well. Some days she felt no hope and some others like not waking up. She kept walking through her journey even if she didn’t know what was ahead. With every single task, she was transformed. She believed in herself and never gave up. She had a dream, to be as good as her mom.

Many angels crossed her path and held a hand to her. As they came, they left but made Pauline stronger, wiser, and better. They taught her so many lessons of love.

Pauline left her country in 2012 believing again in her gut. She left friends that turned into family, her status, her memories, her roots, her dignity and even identity. She came to the US and was just one more added to the  bunch. No one knew her, she was lost. She came here to marry the man of her dreams. The one that will finally give her stability and peace, the ones she never had before.  She kept struggling to find her new identity or path. Her place in society.

She hit bottom when she sunk into a depression after having her second child. She gained weight and lost any interest. She felt like nobody could see what she really was.

One morning, her mom’s words hit her head over and over pushing her to come to life. She once again stood up to face the world. Starting this new journey, convinced she wasn’t only going to save herself but many others along the way. She started training and losing pounds. It sounds superficial but it is what it is. She set her first goal for 3 months and pushed until she accomplished it. She keeps pushing and setting goals. She doesn’t know where she is going or what she is working hard for but she knows she will end up were she needs to.

Pauline is very sensitive. She loves to be loved. She loves to laugh. She loves to joke. She loves to share happiness. She loves to make people smile and keep them company. She loves to cheer people up. She is simple, easy going, and down to earth . She is human so she has personality and character, a strong will with it. She can get angry and get hurt easily. She still will stand up and help others do the same; and to fight with her. Beware because Pauline is a fighter so you better want to fight. After all we are together in this world to help others, if not then what is our purpose in this world?

Now, if you believed you couldn’t now you should… We become what we believe so act now!

I know I still have a lot to learn from others. I believe my goals and dreams may be different than what destiny has for me. I stand up and fight. Let life take me. Be yourself and enjoy the ride!

How the journey started!

How did I really get so inspired by doing this fitness madness?

When I came to the US almost 5 years ago for love I left a lot behind including my dignity. I fell in a deep depression and started to be very negative about my surroundings. I gained 30 pounds way after my little one was born from the depression of feeling lonely and having no identity of my own. Kept making excuses that I never had time to train and loved to eat.

One day I woke up and realized how unhappy I was making myself with all this. Not only the ones around me didn’t find me attractive but I was hating myself. I said enough and started a new journey but this time was going to be a journey to transform myself forever.

Sometimes the people you love the most make you feel the worst without even realizing it. It is sad and sounds stupid to stay with them but you never leave anyone struggling behind don’t you? everything that happens is always for a reason. I felt since I came here that some people see me in a low position just because they don’t know me well and never make time to want to know me (years and experience change people but some don’t seem to realize). Those are the same that push me to be better so I could show them I can be whoever I want to be in a Country I still don’t own a space in (yet). I had a vision to rebuild my name into an empire. Hasn’t been easy and takes a lot of effort and people on the way to get thru. Life hasn’t been easy, nor do I expect it to be either and I will NOT give up. Stubborn does what stubborn wants and stubborn gets it!

Living in Portland, nearly 5 years later, I’m finally experiencing a new enlightenment. It took living in 4 different states to finally feel at home so far from Guatemala where I lived most of my life. It’s taken me 6 days of training hard at the gym and not giving up for any reason. Changed my eating habits around what I love to do which is the gym. Have been reading, researching and studying most of this time and practicing on me. So far I want to certify myself as a personal trainer and just started doing fitness modeling. That doesn’t sound bad right?

I wake up some days so frustrated or sad. Things sometimes don’t go the way they should. I keep thanking every person that encouraged me along the way. If it was not for the way they treated me I wouldn’t be doing what I love the most. I keep thanking the ones that have supported me and believed in me even when I didn’t and are still by my side. I thank the person that I admire the most in this new journey.. If it wasn’t for those words I hear the first time we met, I probably wouldn’t have come so far! Those words were: “You just never stop!”

So life is life and we just have to learn to get the best out of it because we only have one. Be happy… Happiness is in you and not around you! Believe in yourself and push yourself beyond limits… Trust me, you can do it! Don’t expect anything from others but be grateful for the ones that help you climb the ladder…. There will be always a couple that will help without you asking. Open your senses and observe or you might lose them! Always remember who helped you stay strong, push you up and never let you down. I guess those are the rules I live for because I believe in Karma.

Photo by Todd Siechen Photography