(Better than) An Apple A Day...

Instead of throwing out those lonely fruits and vegies, I often toss them into my Vita Mix for an afternoon energy protein shake with an extra punch of nutrients.

An apple a day is great but did you know that The Key to Optimum Health is getting enough of a high quality, complete protein? Protein is like "building blocks" that help to maintain, build, repair and heal ALL cells, tissues, organs and more. Since I was 14 years old, I have taken a soy protein shake for breakfast and even a second shake in the afternoon for more energy. As you know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day and the Shaklee Soy Protein is the best on the market. Why, you ask?

The Essential Seven Checklists for a Quality Soy Product - SHAKLEE MEETS ALL OF THESE SEVEN!!!

1) Were the soybeans ORGANICALLY GROWN?

Studies have shown decreased levels of food nutrients and increased levels of nitrates in chemically fertilized crops, when compared with their organic counterparts. There is a connection between the ingestion of nitrates and CANCER! Therefore, it is important to know that pesticides, fungicides and herbicides have not been used during the growing process. In particular, with soybeans, since they are such a hardy plant, a powerful and DEADLY weed spray called Round-up is usually used. For your safety, you must know that your soy products are organically grown.

2) Were the soybeans GENETICALLY ENGINEERED?

Genetically engineered soybeans are much cheaper to purchase and most companies producing soy products look for ways to save money.

3) Does your soybean powder contain ALL of the nine essential amino acids?

One of the most valuable features of the soybean is that it is a complete protein and provides ALL nine of the essential amino acids. The body requires these daily to produce hormones, digestive juices, antibodies and enzymes. However, NOT ALL SOYBEANS ARE CREATED EQUAL. Quality and amino acid content will vary based on soil conditions and variable growing and harvest conditions. If one essential amino acid is missing, the immune system can be depressed 30%, and many important body functions are delayed or stopped. Therefore, it is essential that each batch of soybeans be checked for amino acid content if we want to depend on the soy isolate to provide a GUARANTEED supply of the nine essential amino acids.

4) Were the crushed soy flakes washed in alcohol or water?

Alcohol washing destroys isoflavone content up to 88%! It is the isoflavones that reduce the risk of breast, prostate, lung and bowel cancer! As well, it is the isoflavones that are so beneficial in hormone balancing and increasing bone mass.

5) Was the “anti-thyroid”, “anti-growth” substance in the raw soy removed?

Orientals, who have consumed large amounts of soy for years, have known that RAW soy contains an “anti-growth”, “anti- tyrosine” substance. Tyrosine deficiency will cause low blood pressure, low body temperature and restless leg syndrome. Therefore, Orientals always lightly cook their soy foods to deactivate the “anti-tyrosine/anti-growth” substance. Shaklee has designed an extracting process that removes this substance, yet keeps the soy in a raw form in order to maintain the HIGHEST LEVEL OF AMINO ACIDS and ISOFLAVONES, which are very sensitive to heat.

6) Is your soybean food RAW or heated?

Amino acids are very sensitive to heat. In some studies, cooking protein has been shown to destroy up to 50% of some ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS. If an individual consistently consumes a diet that is lacking in all of the essential amino acids, inadequate brain development and hormones or other body tissue development can be the result.

7) Has CALCIUM been added to your soy powder?

Some negative reports about soy say that soy powders are VERY ACIDIC and cause bone loss because it causes calcium to be drawn from the bones!!! The raw soybean is a NEUTRAL food -- neither acidic or alkaline. However, the removal of the soybean oil (which is essential so the soy powder will not go rancid very quickly), makes the powder very acidic. Therefore, adequate calcium (which is very alkaline) must be added to cause the powder to be neutral again, or it can cause the above stated problem. Many protein powder manufacturers do not add any or enough calcium.