DO YOU HAVE A FAILSAFE FINANCIAL "PLAN B".?

Hello again,

Thanks so much for coming.

As I am getting ready to go to our company convention in St. Louis, I have been thinking about why I am so committed to the company and to the concept of Network Marketing.

I know that a lot of people confuse Network Marketing with pyramid schemes, and they are correct to avoid pyramid schemes, but there is actually a world of difference between the two.

So many important things are happening in the world today that I have realized how important it is to share my love for this industry and why I do love it.

7 Facts About Network Marketing?

In just the last 5 seconds...just since you started reading this section…4 more people started a Network Marketing business!

The industry is growing so fast...some experts predict that nearly 150 million people will soon be involved in Network Marketing!

Did you know that every 8 seconds, a Baby-Boomer turns 50?

And...did you know that these people have 50% of the spending power of our economy?

Right now, they’re buying products to help them live longer...lose weight...feel better...look better...and have more energy...to the tune of $300 Billion every year! Plus...according to respected economist Paul Zane Pilzer...Wellness Products and Services are going to explode to A TRILLION DOLLAR industry by 2010!

There are predictions that in the not so distant future, more than 90% of goods and services will be moved through network marketing companies. Already, most people have bought products from one or more of them.

I have read and listened to a lot of pretty smart people like Warren Buffet, Robert Kyosaki, and Paul Zane Pilzer.

It’s the hottest way to make money...working from the comfort of your own home! Robert Kyosaki, author of the insanely-successful “Rich Dad” books...is a huge promoter of Network Marketing!

Over and over they stress that in today’s economy, everyone needs to have a failsafe financial “Plan B” to protect themselves from the fluctuations that occur. Another reason is that if we don’t have a home based business that we can use to offset the taxes from our paychecks, we will see our income erode more and more over the years. Respected economists are predicting that Network Marketing is going to be the “next wave of entrepreneurial explosion worldwide!” And, if that isn’t enough...the industry is projected to grow to nearly $500 Billion a year by 2010!

I have never seen this need as clearly as I do now. As the “Baby Boomers”, the “Gen Xers”, and now, the “Gen Y’ers” are aging or coming of age, they are realizing that they want more out of life than working for 40 years just to make a living with no chance to “make a life”

This group wants to maintain their health and their youth and they are willing to pay the price for doing that as long as they get top value for their dollars.

A quality, legitimate home based network marketing business offers everyone a way to have both financial and time freedom and still uphold their values. No selling out to Corporate America for a pipe dream!

I know it has worked well for Al and for me! We have the luxury of working where we choose, (working in my robe is the norm for me (I just don’t turn on my webcam before I’m dressed J). We work when we choose, (getting up at 9 am is a frequent occurrence), and… with whom we choose. We do not have to accept someone just because he or she shows up. We get to learn about them and they learn about us before we each decide if we are a good fit and match.

With facts like this, it’s no wonder that multi-billionaires like Roger Barnett, Warren Buffet and Donald Trump are starting or buying Network Marketing companies! The truth is...Network Marketing is the smart way to go – and it would be smart to at least evaluate it right now even if this isn’t a good time for you to get started!

I have been asked many times how to know which Network Marketing companies are for real and which is the best.

That’s a great question! When I realize that Roger Barnett spent 5 years – and $20 Million – to find the answer to that, I find it mind boggling!

I can’t even imagine how thorough he must have been to spend that kind of time and money just researching to find the best company.

He wanted to know what industries were in the front of the growth curve, and the first one was the wellness industry. He wanted to know what segment of the industry would have the greatest growth potential and that turned out to be a few segments, nutrition, weight, environmental products, skin care and beauty products.

He researched over 70 different companies evaluating their products, their mix, the marketing plans, and most especially their scientific qualifications to produce the products.

What Roger found is ...The Company That Virtually Invented The
Coming Trillion-Dollar Wellness Industry…Shaklee!

That’s right, he found the company that virtually invented this industry over 50 years ago. Shaklee was the very first natural wellness company in America.

The company Roger spent 5 years – and $20 Million – finding...is the same company that virtually invented this industry 50 years ago!

I figure that after spending all that time and money searching, if there had been a better company, anywhere out there, he would have bought it instead of Shaklee.

To get a brief overview of who and what we are, and to enter the no obligation drawing for $200 worth of Shaklee products free, go to http://landofand.com/sandraabrams.

There you will find several very short, (4 - 5 min.) videos and some great information. Please be sure to let me know you were there and be assured that I am the one who will get your info and you will not be getting jillions of unwanted emails...PROMISE!

Feel free to forward this to anyone who may be able to benefit from it.

WE MUST PROTECT OUR YOUNG ATHLETES

The saddest part of the story below is that the kinds of products in this article are completely unnecessary. There are totally safe and honest products that can really help performance while making the body healthier and more resistant to injury. If you know anyone who is trying to build muscle, perform better, or have more endurance, please steer them away from any of the sports performance products on the market. Some may be all right, but there is evidence that some, that are not steroidal products themselves, are being accidentally contaminated with such products. There is no way for anyone who doesn’t have a lab at their disposal to really know. The only way to be sure is to use products that have no possible chance for that contamination to occur because those ingredients are never in the manufacturing plant.

Shaklee sports products have been used by 82 Olympians, 32 of them Gold medalists and there has never been a question about them. We are so proud of our record of exceptional science, quality and purity testing, and our reputation.

Let me know if you want more info. I’ll be glad to send it.
Email: sabrams@earnlink.net

USADA calls for tighter sports

supplement regulations

By staff reporter, 27-Jul-2009 (from http://nutraingredients-usa.com)

The head of the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has called for tighter regulation of sports supplements amid an investigation into steroid products allegedly being distributed to high school children.

Travis Tygart said tighter controls were needed around products that may contain steroids after a USADA investigation found high school children were obtaining certain difficult-to-trace steroids for sports performance through a retail chain, Max Muscle.

He took the opportunity to criticize the 1994 Dietary Supplement and Health Education Act (DSHEA), which he said had been exposed by the operation for failing to better control the dietary supplements market.

The investigation, part of a Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO) probe has seen a raid of the home of Maurice Sandoval, former chief executive officer of American Cellular Labs.

“The current regulatory system for dietary supplements allows these unscrupulous steroid salesmen to endanger the health of our youth,” Tygart said.

“It sends another loud signal that BALCO was a huge step in the fight to protect a level playing field,” he added. “Those same investigators are still focused on protecting our clean athletes for the integrity of competition.”

How interesting…Since BALCO is itself being investigated! http://bit.ly/TC3gh

The investigation involved steroid products that have become popular with high school football players.

“Kids think they’re safe because you can buy them over the counter without an ID and without a whole lot of money,” Tygart said in press reports. “We all know there are some that are masqueraded as what should be illegal steroids.”

Head of the investigation, Food and Drug Administration agent Jeff Novitzky, wrote in an affidavit unsealed last week that he believes American Cellular Labs and Max Muscle were distributing two undetectable designer steroids to high school kids.

TIRED OF THE HYPE AND PHONY CLAIMS?

Wouldn't it be great if every company made sure that they have real science to back up their claims! The Shaklee Corp has NEVER had any problem with the FTC or the FDA. I'm so proud to be a part of a company that proves its claims and is so ethical.Check out the links at the bottom of this post for more info.

FTC SUPPLEMENT CLAMP-DOWN TARGETS BOTH RETAILER AND SUPPLIER

By Lorraine Heller, 15-Jul-2009

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has charged both the retailer Rite Aid and its supplier for the deceptive marketing of dietary supplement products, providing a clear indication that the watchdog is ready to clamp down on all parties involved in false advertising.

FTC this week announced that the national pharmacy chain Rite Aid will pay $500,000 to settle charges for the deceptive advertising of its ‘Germ Defense’ supplements as able to prevent, treat or reduce the severity of colds and the flu.

At the same time, the advertising regulator has also charged Rite Aid’s supplier of the product, Improvita Health Products, with false and deceptive advertising in an ongoing case.
According to an FTC representative, the commission has changed its historic posture of only pursuing business-to-consumer deception and false advertising.

“FTC now will be aggressively pursuing business-to-business cases where the supplier of a raw material, a private label finished product who also provides certificates of analysis, ingredient specs, advertising, promotional or other substantiation will be held to the same standards as companies that advertise directly to consumers,” he reportedly told Loren Israelsen, executive director of trade group United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA).

Immune focus
Rite Aid and Improvita had marketed Germ Defense lozenges and tablets as dietary supplements that contained vitamins C and E, zinc, and echinacea. FTC’s complaints against the companies noted that the products claimed to: Reduce the risk of or prevent colds and flu; protect against or fight germs; reduce the severity or duration of a cold; protect against colds and flu in crowded places; and boost the immune system.

FTC charged that there is “inadequate evidence” to support these claims.
The current case provides additional evidence that FTC – which regulates product advertising – has immunity claims on its enforcement radar, as does the Food and Drug Administration, which regulates product label claims.

Lookalikes
It also indicates that FTC is “going after lookalike products”, according to Israelsen.
Rite Aid marketed the Germ Defense products by touting their similarity to products marketed by Airborne Health, which were sold as a cold prevention and treatment remedy. Airborne settled similar deceptive advertising charges with FTC last year.

As well as paying $500,000 for consumer redress, Rite Aid must also post a refund notice in a “clear and conspicuous” location in the cold-and-flu aisle at each of its stores for 60 days beginning on October 1, 2009.

FTC also filed a complaint against Improvita and two if its principles for “deceptive acts or practices” and with “making false advertisements”. Improvita allegedly supplied the Germ Defense products to Rite Aid and other retailers, and provided advertising, packaging, and promotional materials containing the unsubstantiated claims.

To learn more about our science, our environmental committment, and our social responsibility, go to http://shaklee.com/

To see some short video about us and our products and to enter the no obligation drawing for $200 of free Shaklee products, go to http://LandofAnd.com/SandraAbrams

Please join my blog for regular updates.

YOU CAN STILL KEEP YOUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION TO LOSE WEIGHT!

Did you keep your New Year's resolution to lose weight this year?

Read Kelly's story below and Check out http://www.cinchclub.com/ to see what the Cinch Plan has waiting for you. Try The Cinch® Plan for yourself! Clinically tested. Cinch is also specially formulated to help you break the diet cycle so you: Keep muscle you have. Burn fat you don’t need Lose inches you don’t want. Lose the pounds that are weighting you down The Cinch Inch Loss Plan includes great tasting products and full support, including a website with recipes, informative articles, and community message boards.

“I feel and look better. I'll be turning 40 in January, and I look better now than I did at 30” Kelly says. Kelly – 42 pounds lighter and feeling 10 years younger*. Kelly, an elementary school special education paraprofessional, is all too familiar with the so-called "diet cycle." "I just tried Atkins and lost 30 pounds," says the resident of Fryeburg, Maine. "But I gained it all right back once I started eating 'normal' food again

It was May, nearing the end of the school year, when her mother-in-law introduced Kelly to the Cinch™ Inch Loss Plan from Shaklee. At first she was skeptical.

"I figured I would be hungry eating only two shakes as a replacement for breakfast and lunch, but I was quickly convinced that the protein in the Cinch™ products was enough to keep me feeling satisfied!"

Within a month, Kelly, 39, had lost 10 pounds. And now, six months into the plan, Kelly is 42 pounds and 14½ inches healthier!
"When I came back to school in the fall, everyone was struck by how great I looked. They asked if I had been climbing mountains all summer, I looked so healthy."

In fact, she had climbed a mountain. During a Cancer Foundation benefit in September, Kelly was part of a group that scaled Mt. Cranmore, "something I never would have been able to accomplish prior to my weight loss," she says.

The increased physical activity, along with more healthful nutritional choices, has paid many dividends for Kelly—and her family. A self-proclaimed "walking testimonial" for the Cinch™ Plan, Kelly quickly moved from Distributor to Director in her Shaklee business, and she now has 11 downlines.

"Cinch™ has easily been the biggest selling point of my business. And for me, it's easy to talk about when you've been there and done that."

Closer to home, Kelly has used her Cinch™ experience to educate her family about proper nutrition.

"I've assisted with the other teachers at the school, but it's been a good tool to use also with my daughter (Amanda, age 13) and teaching her about proper nutrition and diet." Unlike many weight management programs, Kelly says, "the Cinch™ Plan takes the guesswork out of what to eat; the choice has been made for you. With most diets, half the battle is being able to follow through. But Shaklee makes it much easier; it's all right there for you.

"I feel and look better. I'll be turning 40 in January, and I look better now than I did at 30. I think that pretty much sums it up."

Congratulations to you Kelly, for your fantastic success!

STUDY BREAKS DOWN SUPPLEMENT USE BY PHYSICIANS

By staff reporter, 16-Jul-2009

The majority of physicians and nurses in the US recommend supplements to their patients but also use them personally, finds a new study.

Commissioned by the supplement trade group Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and published in the peer-reviewed Nutrition Journal, the study surveyed 900 physicians and 277 nurses.

“Health professionals including physicians and nurses are just as interested in healthy lifestyles as members of the general public and are just as likely to benefit from rational supplementation,” wrote the authors, Annette Dickinson, Ph.D., past president of CRN, Andrew Shao, Ph.D., CRN vice president, scientific and regulatory affairs, and Nicolas Boyon, senior vice president, Ipsos Public Affairs, who conducted the Study on behalf of CRN.

Multivitamins most popular

The online survey, conducted in October 2007, found that 72 percent of physicians and 89 percent of nurses used dietary supplements. In addition, 79 percent of physicians and 82 percent of nurses said that they recommend them to their patients.

Overall, the survey found that multivitamins were the most commonly used supplement. Other popular vitamins and minerals were vitamin C, a B vitamin complex, vitamin D, vitamin E and calcium.

Out of the non-vitamin and mineral products, physicians were most likely to use green tea, followed by fish oil, glucosamine, soy, flax seed and chondroitin. Nurses were most likely to use green tea, fish oil, echinacea, glucosamine and flax seed.

Motivations

Some 40 percent of physicians and 48 percent of nurses said they took supplements for “overall health and wellness”.

Over two-thirds of survey respondents said they had multiple motivations for using supplements, including bone health, flu or colds, heart health, immune health, joint health, energy and musculoskeletal pain.

When it came to recommending supplements to their patients, the most common reason was again overall health and wellness, followed by bone health, joint health, flu or colds, heart health, immune health, musculoskeletal pain, and energy.

“This latest survey adds to the growing body of published data suggesting that healthcare professionals are among the highest users of supplements,” said CRN.

Another study published in 2000 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that 64 percent of female physicians used vitamin or mineral supplements at least occasionally, and 47 percent used a vitamin or mineral supplement at least five days a week.

=============================================

Shaklee commissioned the UC Berkeley School of Public Health to conduct a study comparing people who used Shaklee supplements over a period of 20 years or more with people who, over the same 20 years, either used another brand or no supplements at all.

To see the abstract of the Landmark Study go to http://landmarkstudy.com.

There you will find the study that confirmed that people who used Shaklee were dramatically healthier than people whoeither used another brand or no supplements at all.

To see a few short videos about Shaklee just go to http://landofand.com/sandraabrams

Be sure to fill in the form to be eligible to win $200 worth of Shaklee products absolutely free and with no obligaton.

To learn about all of the Shaklee products go to: http://shaklee.net/abrams.

I'd love to have your comments and hope you'll subscribe to get my updates.

I DON’T WANT TO BE A GUINEA PIG WITHOUT MY CONSENT ... DO YOU?

Today's topic comes from an article I read in the Canadian Broadcasting Companies website.

I am extremely concerned because of the fact that more and more studies are pointing to the incredible proliferation of toxic chemicals as possible and maybe probable causes of a wide variety of genetic abnormalities and defects.

Remember, just 60 years ago there were only a few synthetic chemicals, (laboratory made compounds that do not exist anywhere in nature). Now, more than 54 MILLION chemical sequences have been identified and more than 85,000 synthetic chemicals have been commercially developed and released into the environment.

Very few of these chemicals have been tested at all to determine their effects on any living organism. Even fewer have been tested for interactions with one or two other chemicals to see what other chemicals develop from the combination and what the effects are.

NONE have been tested with an array of other chemicals and so, we and our children are the unwitting and non consenting guinea pigs in the greatest chemical experiment the world has ever seen.

Synthetic chemicals are in plastics, pesticides, solvents, degreasers, our water, our air, in our food,our schools and workplaces, insulators. They are virtually everywhere.

We need speak out about this and stop thinking only of “progress and innovation”.

The progress we are seeing is that the synthetic chemicals that provide our conveniences and improvements in military weapons and our increased (temporary) crop yields, are the same synthetic chemicals that are being implicated in the increases of serious health problems like, cancers of the breast, prostate, brain and testicles: miscarriages and other reproductive system abnormalities, early puberty, miscarriages, diabetes, attention deficit disorder, lowered sperm counts, and fewer males of many species being born.

We have seen that as long as this proliferation and use of untested synthetic chemicals is allowed to continue unchecked and untested, each generation of every species is exposed to more pollution than the previous generation.

It won’t take another world war to wipe out humanity, just the willingness to accept without question the questionable “benefits” of each new potentially lethal synthetic chemical that promises to make our lives better or easier.

Here is information about just two of the chemicals mentioned in the movie, “The Disappearing Male” http://bit.ly/bh307 You may want to watch it before continuing to read about the chemicals.


BISPHENOL-A
Amongst the chemicals most under the microscope for its negative health effects is a compound first synthesized in the 1890's: Bisphenol A.

"I had three different naturopaths at the time, and I had a midwife, I had a doula, and a doctor. And I was told about what herbs to avoid and certain foods to avoid, but no one mentioned anything about containers to avoid." Tosca Gardino, mom

It languished until the 1930's, when it was discovered that it could be used as a synthetic"estrogen. In the 1950's it was discovered that bisphenol-A had the remarkable ability to make plastics more pliable and less prone to crack. Between 1980 and 2000, U.S. production of bisphenol-A grew nearly five times. And it is now a ubiquitous component of clear polycarbonate plastic and it is very big business.

It is used to make compact discs, sunglasses, bicycle helmets, water and milk bottles, baby bottles, drinking cups, pacifiers, food storage containers, dental sealants, tableware, window frames, cell phones, car parts, toys, and some medical devices such as incubators, dialysis machines, and blood oxygenators. It is the de facto lining used in food cans to prevent corrosion. More than seven billion pounds of bisphenol A are produced each year worldwide.

The chemical is so common that over 95% of us have elevated levels of it in our bodies, and the younger you are the higher the level is likely to be. The problem is, even very low doses of bisphenol-A have been repeatedly linked to increased incidence of low sperm counts, the earlier onset of puberty, insulin resistance and diabetes, prostate and testicular abnormalities, among other effects.

In 2008, Canada announced it intends to ban the import and sale of polycarbonate baby bottles containing bisphenol A, making it the first country in the world to limit exposure to the controversial chemical. The ban would affect only baby bottles and not other food containers made with bisphenol A (BPA). (Sandy's note: Recently Canada actually did implement the ban)

PHTHALATES
Phthalates are a class of widely-used compounds that soften plastic and hold scents and colors. They are found in products ranging from consumer electronics like the iPod and iPhone, food packaging, detergents, vinyl floor coverings, plastic toys and medical equipment. They are commonly found in products that are supposed to make us look good, and amongst the worst offenders are a wide variety of cosmetics, shampoos, and fragrances. Three quarters of personal care products contain them.

"It looks clean, it smells clean, it feels clean. We've been marketed that this product is clean. So it's difficult to think of it as dirty, as polluted, as toxic." Dr. Aaron Freeman

A study last year analyzed the phthalate concentration in common makeup products. Research that shows that boys born to mothers exposed to phthalates had smaller penises, and a whole host of problems which are now referred to as "testicular dysgenesis syndrome". These include reproductive abnormalities that are strongly linked to the later development of testicular and prostate cancer.

One of the most commen plastics in the world - PVC or polyvinyl chloride - contains a Phthalate called DEHP. It's been classified as toxic by several agencies around the world.
Infant males may be especially susceptible to the effects of DEHP.
Ironically, PVC is used to make medical devices such as iv tubing, catheters and blood bags.

In a hospital setting, an infant or child can be exposed to 200 times what is considered a safe amount in one single exposure. Studies have shown that the chemical can leach from the plastic and end up in the bodies of vulnerable children - especially male infants.
In Europe, the controversy over phthalates is over. In 2006, the European Union determined that they posed health risks and banned them from all products flowing to the 27 countries that make up the union. Over 1200 chemicals in all were outlawed. The governments of Canada and the United States have been much slower to act and North Americans continue to be exposed to them in massive quantities. U.S. chemical companies still produce more than 2 billion pounds of these compounds a year.

You may wonder why I put this into my blog. I want to awaken people to the fact that this is going on, and that there are companies with enough integrity to avoid using these chemicals in their products and where ever possible in the equipment used to manufacture the products.

If you want to see the committment of the Shaklee Corporation to protecting and improving the environment, go to http://www.shaklee.com/causes_achievements.shtml. Although they don't talk specifically about these kinds of products, we have been assured that they are keeping on top of the research and protecting the quality of the products that they manufacture.

To learn a little about the science behind the Shaklee products go to http://www.shaklee.com/company_sab.shtml and read about our scientists and advisory board. There is lots more info there.

To watch a few short videos about the company and the products and to enter the no obligation drawing for $200 worth of products, go to http://landofand.com/sandraabrams and fill in the information. No one will bug you or inundate you with calls and emails.

That's all for now. Keep checking in for more information that can make your life better.

Soy Quality Control Checklist

I promised you information on how to select the highest quality Soy so that it not only will enhance your health, but so that the concerns that make people question the value of soy are addresses for you as well.

Soy Quality Control Checklist

Do not purchase soy powders and expect them to produce positive health results unless you know that the following "ESSENTIAL SEVEN" quality controls have been met by the manufacturer:

1. ___ The beans must be organically grown

2. ___ The beans must NOT be genetically engineered

3. ___ Each batch must be checked to confirm that it contains the 9 essential
amino acids

4. ___ In the manufacturing process to produce the soy isolate, the crushed
soy flakes must be water washed (not alcohol washed)

5. ___ The anti-thyroid/anti-growth substance MUST be removed

6. ___ The process must be without heat

7. ___ The soy isolate must have calcium added (when the oil is removed it becomes
an acidic food - when calcium is added it makes it neutral again)

The attached explanations will help you to clear up confusion.

a) 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 & CANCER! Therefore, it is important to know that pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides have not been used during the growing process. In particular, with soy beans, 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.

b) Were the soy beans GENETICALLY ENGINEERED? ..... genetically engineered soybeans are much cheaper to purchase, and most companies producing soy products look for ways to save money.

c) 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.

d) 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.

e) 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.

f) 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.

g) 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 soy bean 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 manufactureres do not add any or enough calcium.

h) Do soybeans cause cancer? ...... It is true that "overcooked" soy does contain "carcinogenic" compounds. When soy is extruded through high temperature, high pressure steam nozzles to form what is called "textured vegetable protein - TVP for short", this form of processing renders the soy "meat substitute" carcinogenic or cancer-causing. TVP is what is used in soy dogs and soy burgers, and should be avoided.

i) What about roasted soybeans? .... Whole soy beans are high in plant fat. If soybeans are roasted to eat as soy nuts, the heat alters the fat and makes it a trans-fatty acid, which causes both cancer and heart disease. As roasted soy nuts sit on the shelf or in the cupboard in storage, the oils are becoming more and more rancid and carcinogenic. AVOID roasted soy beans.

j) But I've heard that soy protein is hard on the kidneys! ..... Animal protein is much harder to digest than vegetable protein. Since many people have digestive difficulties, protein that is not thoroughly digested is very challenging to the kidneys. Powdered protein is in a predigested state, and the BEST protein source to choose! Protein is not the enemy - it is essential for life. It is true, however, that EXCESSIVE protein is hard on the kidneys, so if a person consumes more than 2 grams of protein per pound of body weight daily, AND does not consume adequate carbohydrates with it, this could cause kidney damage.

k) But I have breast cancer, and I've been told I cannot have soy! ....... It is true that soy is a "phyto-estrogen" food, which means it contains substances that have hormone-like components. However, their estrogen strength is 1/1000th that of the body's own stronger estrogens. Therefore, you want to load your digestive system with quality controlled raw soy powder, because these weaker estrogens will block the estrogen receptor sites from receiving your body's own stronger estrogens and therefore be very protective against estrogen fed cancer.

So far, in almost 39 years, I have not found any other brand that meets all of these very stringent requirements so I have stayed with Shaklee.

This article can help to further clarify the issue of soy and thyroid.

From Virginia Messina, MPH, RD & Mark Messina, PhD:

Soyfoods and the Thyroid

Many foods contain goitrogens, compounds that interfere with thyroid function (and in extreme cases can cause an enlarged thyroid, called a goiter). Along with soyfoods, millet, cruciferous vegetables and other foods contain goitrogens. Generally, these foods cause problems only in areas where iodine intake is low since this mineral is important for thyroid function. The effects of iodine deficiency can be made worse if the diet is high in goitrogens.

Although a concern about soy and thyroid function may be news to many vegans, it has actually been a focus of research for more than 70 years. Between 1951 and 1961, this research took on a special importance when about 10 cases of goiter were diagnosed in infants who had been fed infant formula made from soy flour. These old studies form some of the basis for arguments that soy is dangerous for infants. However, the situation for today's soy formula-fed infant is very different. Since the 1960's, soy-based infant formula has been made from soy protein isolate (which does not contain the goitrogens component; soy flour formulas did) and it is fortified with iodine. No cases of goiter have been diagnosed in infants fed this formula in the past 40 years.

Nor is there any evidence that consuming soy causes thyroid problems in healthy, well-nourished people who have adequate iodine in their diet. However, it is possible that eating a diet with generous amounts of soyfoods could be a problem for people whose iodine intake is marginal. And that might just include some vegans, since the main sources of iodine in western diets are fish and milk. But the appropriate response to this is not to limit healthful soyfoods; it's to get enough iodine. Vegetables have varying amounts of iodine depending on where they are grown. In some parts of the world--specifically northern Europe--vegans may have low intakes of iodine. Foods that can supply iodine to vegan diets are sea vegetables, although contents vary quite a bit. Fortified foods are also a good source. Iodized salt is about the most reliable source. Vegans should be sure that, when they season foods with salt, it is iodized. If this isn't a regular part of your diet, use an iodine supplement.

CONCLUSION: Soyfoods may contain goitrogenic compounds as do other foods. There is no evidence that regularly eating soyfoods causes thyroid problems in people who eat a balanced diet. Vegans should make an effort to include adequate sources of iodine in their diet.