Most protein powders are likely safe, said Stefan Pasiakos, the director of the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health. But it’s best to choose one marked with a seal from a third party lab, like NSF or U.S. Pharmacopeia, which independently test supplements to ensure they contain what’s on the label and nothing more

Federal guidelines recommend that adults 19 and older consume 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight per day. That comes out to 54 grams for a 150-pound adult, or 72 grams for a person weighing 200 pounds. Research suggests, however, that older adults may benefit from adding about 50 percent more protein, and those who are pregnant, breastf... See more