People seem to love to use powders (and pills), even when they're downright dangerous. Think of Lance Armstrong taking erythropoietin to boost his red blood cell production, or baseball stars like Steve Howe and Dwight Gooden, who ruined their careers with cocaine.

But we also want to call your attention to the health-threatening powders used by millions of Americans who are concerned about eating enough protein as they age, or those who are pushing hard to bulk up their muscle mass.

A new lab study in the journal Nature Metabolism found that mice (and the researchers feel it applies equally to humans) who consume protein powders that are rich in branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) — and most are — put themselves at risk for everything from mood swings caused by shifts in serotonin levels to uncontrolled hunger, obesity, and even early death.

Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic say that those risks come in addition to the risk of getting too much protein in your diet, which can lead to elevated bad LDL cholesterol and eventually heart and kidney diseases.

On top of all that, last year a study found that some protein powders contain high levels of heavy metals like lead and cadmium, as well as BPA (an endocrine disruptor found in plastics) and even pesticides.

To boost your strength, stick with plant-based proteins from legumes, 100% whole grains, nuts, seeds, and veggies like broccoli and kale.

You can also choose safe, lean, animal-based proteins from foods such as salmon and sea trout.