Question for those who've experienced palpitations with protein powders

[fresh59]

First, let me say that I've done some reading on the subject. I know that most people have no problem with protein powders. I've read plenty of replies from those people who love to insist that the issues people experience are related to anything and everything except the protein powder in their shake. Sorry, but you aren't the people I'm looking to hear from.

I want to get some feedback from people who have had issues with protein powders in the past.

Also, I am not looking for "Brand X is better than Brand Y." Instead, I want to learn what INGREDIENTS cause the symptoms so I can learn what to look for and what to avoid.

The powder I used was a whey protein blend with creatine, taurine, leucine, L-glutamine, isoleucine and valine.

The symptoms:
Heart palpitations within 30 minutes of drinking a single-scoop (26g protein) shake and super nasty urinary tract infection after a week of drinking one shake a day.

Please note:
The palpitations I experienced were NOT indigestion. I have NO issues with lactose intolerance. I have been drinking plenty of water, so dehydration was NOT an issue. I do NOT have heart problems such as murmers, etc. I have NO history of kidney disease. I have NO problems with soy. I have NO issues with large amounts of protein from chicken (except that I feel stuffed all day).

I am absolutely sure that the problems I had were caused by something in the protein powder and I am hesitant to try another brand until I can figure out what ingredient I'm having issues with.

Also note:
I have a low tolerance to caffeine and other "speed"-like products such as Sudafed (anti-histamine), though I could find NO indication of any caffeine in the protein powder.

For those of you who had problems, did you ...
switch to a creatine free protein powder?
switch to a 100% whey isolate powder?
switch to a protein powder without XXXX, YYYY or ZZZZ?
cut out protein powder all together?

[fresh59]

I know I've seen posts from others on this forum who have had problems, so I'm bumping this thread in hopes that it catches their eye.

I would love to know how others dealt with this problem and if they were able to isolate the ingredient in the protein powder (protein, creatine, etc.) that caused the palpitations.

[Justamonsta]

assuming the product you have taken is a legitimate brand, and the ingredients are correct. I doubt the protein itself would cause this issue if consumption of a glass of milk did not cause the same issue. I have never heard of a creatine allergy, but maybe you have one? (if even possible). The amino acids shouldn't cause a problem either. What was the brand?

[exelixis]

Taurine?

[Swamp Dog]

Years ago I bought a case of MRP's from GNC (I know, I know). Anyway, I had a bad reaction to them, thought it was in my head but it only happened when I took the MRP. If I remember, there was something like a "phenylblahblahblah" in the ingredients. That might lead you in the right direction.

[fresh59]

Thanks for the reply, guys.

The ingredients list on my protein powder is:
Whey Protein Concentrate
Whey Protein Isolate
Creatine Monohydrate
Taurine
L-Glutamine
Leucine
Isolecucine
Valine
Maltodextrin
Natural and artificial flavors
Beet juice
Color
Soy lethicin
Acesulfame potassium
Cellulose Gum
Sucralose

There is also a "Typical Amino Acid Profile" list that includes:

Essential Amino Acids
Histidine
Isoleucine
Lysine
Methionine
Phenylalanine (probably what Swamp Dog was referring to. Is this something that would not be included in all powders?)
Threonine
Tryptophan
Valine

Non-Essential Amino Acids
Alanine
Arginine
Aspartic Acid
Cysteine
Glutamic Acid
Glycine
Proline
Serine
Tyrosine

The brand is Body Fortress (from Walmart). I was hesitant to mention the brand because I've noticed some people having similar issues with other brands, including EAS; PVL and Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey (the latter which I thought was supposed to be the powder used by whey purists). I was going to include links to these conversations, but I got a message saying that I don't have enough posts to post a link.

[brettfrable]

Anything with aspartame or sucralose has caused me heart palpitations.

Thanks for the reply, guys.

The ingredients list on my protein powder is:
Whey Protein Concentrate
Whey Protein Isolate
Creatine Monohydrate
Taurine
L-Glutamine
Leucine
Isolecucine
Valine
Maltodextrin
Natural and artificial flavors
Beet juice
Color
Soy lethicin
Acesulfame potassium
Cellulose Gum
Sucralose

There is also a "Typical Amino Acid Profile" list that includes:

Essential Amino Acids
Histidine
Isoleucine
Lysine
Methionine
Phenylalanine (probably what Swamp Dog was referring to. Is this something that would not be included in all powders?)
Threonine
Tryptophan
Valine

Non-Essential Amino Acids
Alanine
Arginine
Aspartic Acid
Cysteine
Glutamic Acid
Glycine
Proline
Serine
Tyrosine

The brand is Body Fortress (from Walmart). I was hesitant to mention the brand because I've noticed some people having similar issues with other brands, including EAS; PVL and Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey (the latter which I thought was supposed to be the powder used by whey purists). I was going to include links to these conversations, but I got a message saying that I don't have enough posts to post a link.

[FoxtrotSierra]

Anything with aspartame or sucralose has caused me heart palpitations.

In your unscientific opinion, and not confirmed by a doctor

[brettfrable]

Thanks for the reply, guys.

The ingredients list on my protein powder is:
Whey Protein Concentrate
Whey Protein Isolate
Creatine Monohydrate
Taurine
L-Glutamine
Leucine
Isolecucine
Valine
Maltodextrin
Natural and artificial flavors
Beet juice
Color
Soy lethicin
Acesulfame potassium
Cellulose Gum
Sucralose

There is also a "Typical Amino Acid Profile" list that includes:

Essential Amino Acids
Histidine
Isoleucine
Lysine
Methionine
Phenylalanine (probably what Swamp Dog was referring to. Is this something that would not be included in all powders?)
Threonine
Tryptophan
Valine

Non-Essential Amino Acids
Alanine
Arginine
Aspartic Acid
Cysteine
Glutamic Acid
Glycine
Proline
Serine
Tyrosine

The brand is Body Fortress (from Walmart). I was hesitant to mention the brand because I've noticed some people having similar issues with other brands, including EAS; PVL and Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey (the latter which I thought was supposed to be the powder used by whey purists). I was going to include links to these conversations, but I got a message saying that I don't have enough posts to post a link.

In your unscientific opinion, and not confirmed by a doctor

Wow, you're definitely a douchebag. If you have 10,000 dollars, I'll be happy to meet you in person, hook myself up to a heart monitor before, ingest some aspartame, and let you watch the monitor after. If nothing happens, I'll hand you 10,000 in cash. Up for it?

[brettfrable]

In your unscientific opinion, and not confirmed by a doctor

Oh here is my medical presentation of what happens when I consume aspartame.

imgur . com/a/BoFLf54

posted this way so I could share a link. let me know if your brain can figure out how to access it.

[FoxtrotSierra]

Oh here is my medical presentation of what happens when I consume aspartame.

imgur . com/a/BoFLf54

posted this way so I could share a link. let me know if your brain can figure out how to access it.

There's a good chance you, personally, along with a small percentage of the population, are sensitive or allergic.

[lucia316]

In your unscientific opinion, and not confirmed by a doctor

N=1 is legit

[rhadam]

tHe SuGAr caUSed mY hEarT iSSueS