The wellness industry’s latest controversy is here. Momentous supplements is a brand once championed by Stanford neuroscientist Andrew Huberman on his influential podcast. However, it has emerged as one of the more problematic products in Consumer Reports’ recent investigation into heavy metal contamination in protein powders.
The testing results are stark: Momentous 100% Plant Protein contains 2.4 micrograms of lead per serving. It is nearly five times the daily safety threshold of 0.5 micrograms established by Consumer Reports’ food safety experts. This places it fourth on the list of most contaminated products, trailing only behind Naked Nutrition’s Vegan Mass Gainer, Huel Black Edition, and Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant Protein.
For followers of Huberman’s podcast who heeded his recommendation, the findings present an uncomfortable reality. During a dedicated episode on focus and concentration tools, Huberman didn’t merely mention Momentous in passing. He he delivered what amounted to a ringing endorsement, emphasizing that “the quality of their supplements is second to none, both in terms of purity and precision of the amounts of the ingredients.”
That assertion now appears questionable in light of independent laboratory testing. While Momentous does offer other products that tested more favorably—their whey protein isolate contained just 30 percent of the safety limit—the plant-based option that Huberman helped promote presents genuine health concerns for regular users.
Of the 23 protein powders and ready-to-drink shakes tested by Consumer Reports, more than two-thirds exceeded safe daily lead levels in a single serving. Some products registered contamination levels exceeding the safety benchmark by more than tenfold.
“It’s concerning that these results are even worse than the last time we tested,” said Tunde Akinleye, the Consumer Reports food safety researcher who led the project. The findings represent a disturbing trajectory when compared to testing conducted 15 years ago. Not only has average lead concentration increased, but fewer products now show undetectable amounts of toxic metals.
The contamination pattern reveals a clear divide along protein sources. Plant-based products averaged nine times more lead than dairy-based formulations and double the amount found in beef alternatives. Nearly every plant-based supplement tested showed elevated lead levels, with the most hazardous products containing between 1,200 and 1,600 percent of the daily safety threshold in a single serving.
Huberman’s early promotional work included a now-defunct beef company, Belcampo Meat Company. It was later revealed to have engaged in misleading marketing about its sustainable practices. That business, coincidentally started by someone in Huberman’s personal life, collapsed amid controversy—though not before Huberman delivered enthusiastic ad reads touting the nutritional superiority of its products.
The parallels to other influencer arrangements in the wellness space are difficult to ignore. Joe Rogan’s involvement with Onnit ultimately contributed to a deal valued between $250 and $400 million when Unilever acquired the company. Court documents reveal that Peter Attia’s role as scientific advisor to Oura Ring required merely 10 hours of annual work in exchange for 20,000 stock options, with a single newsletter mention generating approximately $300,000 in ring sales.
Huberman’s recent promotion of Morozko Forge ice baths—products commanding prices up to $29,900—suggests a continued trajectory toward premium wellness products with pricing strategies that seem disconnected from comparable alternatives available for a fraction of the cost.
“We advise against daily use for most protein powders, since many have high levels of heavy metals and none are necessary to hit your protein goals,” Akinleye stated, challenging the fundamental premise that drives much of the supplement industry’s growth.
Dr. Pieter Cohen, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, frames the issue in stark terms: “Consumers often assume supplements deliver health benefits without risks. But that’s not true.”
Unlike prescription and over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements don’t undergo FDA review, approval, or testing before reaching store shelves. Federal regulations don’t require manufacturers to prove their products are safe, and no federal limits exist for heavy metal content in supplements.
“For many people, there’s more to lose than you’re gaining,” Akinleye observed, suggesting that regular supplement users consider reducing their consumption.
