The great thing about Americans, is that we embrace a new idea, or a new product with gusto. We also have a bad habit of overdoing things. Eventually, we get to some kind of balance, but it’s quite a ride! We do it with food, fashion, philosophies, educational trends – you name it!

Enter soy protein. Have you ever wondered why such a heavily studied food source is so controversial? Soy is a godsend for vegetarians – it has all nine amino acids needed for protein metabolism. It is an excellent substitute for dairy allergic people. And for those who want to increase
their protein, but not increase the meat in their diet soy provides an easily digestible choice. Yet others contend that it is actually dangerous and harmful to human health. Why?

In order to better comprehend the great soy debate, understand how the scientific community works. If something is found to be good, then the next question is: can it be bad? If so, how bad? Grant money is not awarded to prove what we do know, but what is still unknown and controversial. A research scientist doesn’t advance her career confirming old data. Those that fund studies are often
looking for marketing angles. That, in and of itself is not wrong, it’s part of how money for studies is generated. Before reporter or consumer jumps to conclusions based on a study or even a couple of studies, know the background of the study and its source.

It’s also important to know, that research looks only at a single mechanism at a time. It takes numerous studies to complete a picture. Waiting 15 years for a scientific question to be answered is too long for the content hungry 24/7 news industry.

I personally believe that part of the “Soy is evil” mentality that has sporadically shown up on blogs and websites since around 2000, is the proverbial pendulum swing. As the soy benefits were being discovered, consumer demand for soy increased, and so soy went into everything! Textured vegetable protein, a heavily processed form of soy, went into a number of processed foods, even fish sticks, as a way to increase profit margins. That was clearly excessive use of soy. One’s whole diet should not
be soy centric. It is bad for any diet to be focused on a particular food source or food group. That is just common sense.

A recent search of Pub Med showed 1,861 studies on soy protein alone. Some were looking for carcinogenic effects. Some used synthetic soy compounds, which is not the same natural soy molecules. Some used mice in the studies, and -surprise! Mice are not humans, and only 10% of mice studies can be directly related to humans. Hard to sensationalize the truth, isn’t it?

But the majority of studies have clearly shown that soy is beneficial as a natural hormone replacement for women, to increase bone density, build healthy cells, create a balanced lipid (cholesterol) profile, brain development, and anti-cancer and cancer prevention properties.

Shaklee published a Landmark study on its supplement users, and I know many of the study subjects and they are heavy soy protein consumers. Shaklee was an early adopter of soy and in fact, created the first soy protein isolate in 1970. Guess what?

Shaklee customers have been safely using Shaklee soy protein for 40 years. If there were any toxicity issues, it would have shown up in this population, and been revealed in the four studies Shaklee conducted on soy protein use in humans (not mice).

Some of the complaints about soy include:

1) it was an industrial crop
2) the phytoestrogens (plant-based estrogens) are harmful, and may stimulate feminizing characteristics in boys
3) it is acidic, and throws the body out of balance

Here are some quick answers:

1) Peanuts were an industrial crop too, as were rape seeds which is a canola oil source.  Corn is a heavily used industrial crop.  That food sources also have commercial value beyond nutrition shows the incredible power of plants, not that they are necessarily  “poison”!

2) Phytoestrogens are 100 times weaker than human hormones. They compete for the estrogen receptors in both men and women. This helps the body with a natural hormone balance and explains why women in Japan and other Asian nations with heavy soy diets do not experience the menopausal symptoms Western women do. Any extra phyotestrogens are easily metabolized by the body and excreted.

3) Soy is acidic. That’s why the preparation of the soy product is important, and why textured vegetable protein and other heavily processed soy foods should be avoided. Soy should be blended with calcium for that very reason. All Shaklee soy proteins are blended with calcium for balance.

I strongly recommend that if you want to incorporate soy into your diet that you use Shaklee soy products, and fermented products like miso, or tofu. Our family uses soy milk heavily since we are dairy allergic, with no ill effects. We avoid textured vegetable protein, soy cereal, and unnecessary soy substitutes.

For more information on Shaklee Soy: Click here

Please contact me with any questions or comments.

Copyright March 2010 by Karen Miner Hurd

I don’t think that I can remember a time in history when there was so much discussion (and heated debate) about health. The whole focus of the political debate has been on, not so much on real health, but on what happens after you get sick.

It’s the wrong discussion.

Let’s start with health. What does it really mean to be healthy? For years, the medical profession, and the general public, has defined health as “not sick” or merely the absence of disease. But is that all there is? Isn’t there more?

When you think about health, what comes to mind? What are “health symptoms”?

Let’s try these for starters:

1) Energy – Rest cycle is in balance. You wake up refreshed. You maintain good healthy
energy throughout the day.  You sleep well at night.

2) Resist infections- if something is going around the office or the kids are sharing a bug,
you probably won’t get it. If you do get sick, your symptoms are not as severe, it doesn’t last as
long, and you recover quickly.

3) Quick recovery from injuries. In some cases, recovery is 50% faster than expected. If
you’re athletic, your rate of injury is less because your body is protected and nurtured.

4) Emotional balance. Thoughts and emotions have are significantly impacted by your biochemistry.  A healthy nourished body, a fit body, is more able to cope with the stresses of life.
You will be happier and have a positive out And that annoying neighbor won’t be so irritating.

5) Purpose and passion. Health often manifests itself as a clear purpose and vision for life.

Your health status is the engine of your life. As powerful as health is, we often take it
for granted. Too many of us make healthy choices an afterthought. Like saving for retirement
in your twenties can make you a millionaire in your golden years, investing in your health
now, before chronic disease strikes will pay you rich dividends in cost savings, vitality,
quality of life and longevity.

Choose to invest in your health.  Your life depends on it. _________________________________________________________________________

About the author: Karen Miner Hurd has questioned the status quo from an early age.  She and her husband Dale live in Virginia Beach, VA  with their children and  Bomber the Birthday Dog.  Karen dedicated herself to teaching others about health after her supplement program allowed her to be symptom and medication free despite 35 allergies.  Her doctor called her results a placebo affect, so she fired him.  She recommends Shaklee products exclusively. Contact her : karen@gohealthygo.com or by phone : 757-301-1855.  Visit her Shaklee site here.

Aging is inevitable. However, the ravages of aging and disease are not.    You can slow down your biological clock – so that your biological age  is as much as 25 years or more behind your calendar age.  Here are 5 quick tips you can start doing today:

1) Liquid protection – water. Were you hoping for something more exotic?  Water is nature’s liquid protection and detoxifying agent.  Your body is over 70% water, and you lose over 1 quart a day just by breathing!  Drink at least 6 glasses of purified
water per day- 8 is better. Sorry, coffee, herbal tea, soda and energy drinks don’t count.  Flush out toxins, increase your metabolism, increase brain function and joint health too. A great anti-aging tool that is just pennies per day.

2) Getting 5 servings a day? North Americans know what to eat, we just don’t do it!  Eat at least 5 servings of vegetables a day. Make 3 of them raw. Raw veggies have extra enzymes, vitamins, and other nutrients that cooked veggies don’t. Veggies reduce cancer risk, reduce food cravings and provide precious anti-aging anti-oxidants.  1 cup of raw veggies = 1 serving.  If one of your servings is  a salad- go easy on the dressing!

3) Exercise- the ultimate anti-aging strategy. Exercise detoxifies, builds muscle, transport nutrients, relieves stress, lowers cholesterol and makes you look younger. Make sure you are doing a combination of aerobic, weight/resistance training, and stretching. If your preferred exercise is walking, shoot for 10,000 steps per day.  Even just 15 minutes of exercising  per day begins to slow down the aging process.

4) Build your  muscles! We hear alot about osteoporosis, but very little about sarcopenia, the aging and wasting away of your muscle mass. Muscle mass goes hand in hand with  healthy bones, healthy heart, and healthy blood vessels.  Along with exercise, make  sure you are getting a lot of soy or whey protein and extra leucine.  Leucine is an amino acid that helps build muscle, and resists the tearing down of muscle. Unfortunately, leucine tastes awful.  The solution? Cinch protein shakes!  A combination of soy (or whey)  protein enhanced with extra leucine, Cinch® has been clinically shown in 3 studies to build lean muscle mass on 100% of users.  If you’re using Cinch®, remember that it’s a meal replacement.  Looking for a good soy protein supplement? Try the Shaklee soy protein family.  Inexpensive, pure, acid-balanced soy protein.  GMO free.

5) Have you heard  about resveratrol? Reservatrol is what makes red wine a heart healthy beverage.  Turns out it has incredible health properties beyond your heart! Over 2,000 studies have been done recently on resveratrol.  It has been shown to increase the longevity of every organism it has been tried on, by at least 25%. In humans, that could mean an increase of life-span by about 25 years (In a perfect world.  No bungee jumping.)  It increases the effectiveness and quantity of your adult stem cells, which are important for healing and body repair.  Studies show it to be remarkably effective on a number of issues: cholesterol, brain function, DNA protection, type 2 diabetes and more.  And another great benefit? More energy and clearer thinking!

18 months ago, Shaklee introduced Vivix®- an amazing resveratrol blend that combats all 4 major agers. Vivix® is now Shaklee’s number 1 selling product. 1 teaspoon a day is the anti-oxidant equivalent of 100 glasses of red wine!   Have you tried it yet?

And the bonus anti-aging tip comes from Henry Ford -

Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.

If a Mom chooses natural treatments for a sick child, is she a criminal?

Is chemotherapy the only answer for cancer??

When a child is critically ill, the issue of parental rights in how to treat that child often becomes cloudy. It’s easy to understand when the courts intervene in the case of a child of Christian Science parents, who has
appendicitis and the parents refuse treatment on the grounds of religious belief. Odds are, an infected appendix will burst and cause severe illness and potentially death. Right now, the best treatment is removal of the infected appendix.

What about allergies, strep throat or even cancer?

Do we as parents have the right to choose the best care possible- even if it doesn’t involve drugs? Does any parent choosing a non-traditional treatment protocol do so out of carelessness, foolishness or selfish pride?

Hardly. Every parent I know, including myself, who has chosen an non-traditional treatment or drug-free protocol has done so after careful deliberation and personal research. We have made these choices based, not on mindless fear of medicine, but based on the very real results and scientific proof of drug free treatments.

Prescription drugs are not always a guarantee of anything. Not all surgeries are 100% effective. Adults and children both have died from the side effects of cancer treatments, surgeries, proper use of prescription drugs, and infections caught in hospitals. So people who choose alternative means often have very real concerns about the outcomes of pharmaceutical treatments.

And there is overwhelming, scientific proof that drug free protocols are often as effective as their drug based counterparts – at a fraction of the cost and without negative or serious side effects.  In fact, here in Virginia, a very similar case occurred two years ago.  Just recently, the boy’s blood work showed no trace of cancer.

So why is Daniel’s mother in Minnesota being treated like a criminal? Daniel has nodular sclerosing Hodgkin disease, the most common form of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Daniel’s Aunt died from her chemo treatments. The family did treat Daniel with one round of chemotherapy, and after seeking 3 different medical opinions, decided to treat Daniel with natural means. The family is not new to natural treatments, it is how they live their lives.

A judge decided that the family is being negligent and remanded Daniel to Child Protective Services. They would force Daniel through Chemotherapy against his parent’s, and Daniel’s wishes.

Daniel’s mother did, what any mother in her right mind would do. She has taken matters into her own hands, and she and Daniel have run away. Even her husband doesn’t know where they are.

I wish Daniel and his family well. I hope that his cancer heals and that the courts back off, and allow Daniel and his family to live according to their conscience.

In an era where the government is “trying to control costs” you’d think they’d applaud Daniel’s family, not seek to arrest them.  Daniel’s parents are taking personal responsibility and LOWERING the expense on society.  Too bad it’s not politically correct.

What do you think? Should Daniel be treated by standard chemotherapy protocol against the strong wishes of his family? Or should they be allowed to seek the treatment for him in accordance with their lifestyle?

Links: Boy who refuses cancer treatment flees with mother

Daniel’s story

Parents who refuse treatments on religious grounds

*****************************************************************************************************************
About the Author: Karen Miner Hurd is a wellness educator, entrepreneur and a Mama Bear when it comes to her children.  She and her husband Dale live in Virginia Beach with their 5 children and Bomber the dog.  Karen is also the founder of the Hampton Roads Tea Party and the FreedomWize & WomanWize teams.  She is passionate about life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and a good pumpkin pie.  Contact Karen if you are interested in natural health and infinite income from home. Karen@gohealthygo.com  or Twitter.com/LongevityCoach

The Center for Disease Control released  today that there are 40 confirmed cases of Swine flu (H1N1) in the United States. So far travel to Mexico is not restricted.  The government released 25% of its stockpile of anti-viral drugs to be used in the case of an epidemic.  Just how worried should you be?  Is it time to panic?  Take drastic measures?

Fortunately, if you are following solid wellness principals and taking a good Shaklee program, you are reducing your
risk of infection.  This is one of those times that being proactive in your health gives you substantial protection.  Like I’ve said, viruses and bacteria don’t usually give us two weeks notice that they’re coming, but in this case they did! A strong and healthy immune system is more resistant. If you do get sick, your symptoms are not as severe, and your recovery is faster. Bottom line- prevention is key.

This new version of swine flu can be dangerous especially for people with respiratory illness or other underlying conditions. What makes this version of swine flu different is that it seems to have picked up genes  from  bird, swine, and human flu bugs. It’s a type of hybrid.   CDC officials are not yet sure if last year’s
flu vaccine will protect against this particular virus but feel that the anti-viral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza may be effective. Swine Flu symptoms are very similar to standard flu symptoms.  It takes a standard lab test to confirm Swine Flu (H1N1).

Prevention is still your best ally. A stronger body is more resistant, and a strong body can fight back more effectively if struck with the virus.

Here’s what to do:

1) Make sure that you are on the Shaklee RX for Life,including Nutriferon. This program has all the basic elements of good prevention. Vivix and Nutriferon both have immune strengthening properties. The protein in the Cinch program builds healthy immue cells too, and the caroto-E-Omega (CEO) helps keep the membranes inside your nose, mouth and eyes healthier and more resilient to viruses.   You save $93 each month on this program. Upgrade to
Gold Ambassador, and with 2 members of the family on the program, you will get a rebate of at least $50/month on top of the other savings. Being a Gold Ambassador, may make this tax deductible for you as well.

If you are absolutely strapped, or have a large family, make sure that you incorporate extra Formula I and Vita-C for your family.  Rx for Life is preferred, but Vita-lea, Formula I and Vita-C will give a measure of protection as well.

2) Have some Basic-G (Item 00525) in the house. Use it to wash door knobs, sanitize surfaces, and to kill pathogens in the laundry. It is safe around children and pets. Unlike many disinfectants, Basic- G is not flammable.
It is verified to kill some strains of the flu virus, salmonella and 38 other pathogens. Keep basic G wipes in your
car and purse for grocery carts and public bathrooms. Grocery cart handles are especially germy. Just 2 extra seconds to keep your family safe!

3) Get good exercise! Shoot for 10,000 steps a day. Exercise strengthens your immune system.

4) Drink 8 ounces of water. Your body uses water in part to flush out viruses and bacteria.

5) Increase your diet of raw fruits and vegetables. Spring and summer is the easiest time of year to do this- no excuses! If you can, grow some of your own. They will be more nutritious.

6) Be responsible. If you are feeling sick, stay home. Swine flu is contagious before you have symptoms. Basic hygiene helps too.  And while it’s tempting to go heavy on the hand sanitizer, remember that too much can be toxic especially for children.

7) Cut back on sugar. Sugar lowers your immunity by 30%! Use the savings on soda, candy, cookies and junk food for your Shaklee RX for Life.

8  ) Keep extra Nutriferon and Shaklee DR on hand. As soon as you start to feel sick, that’s when you start with the Shaklee DR. When we are sick, we triple the Nutriferon we are taking. My personal estimate is that we get well in 3 days instead of 7.

9) Get an AirSource. It reduces pathogens and molds in your home. If you are a Gold Ambassador, your net cost
is $499 and is tax deductible.

You may think these are expensive, but what is your life, or the life of your child worth? Cheaper brands will not give you the same results. We have the Landmark study on supplementation to prove it.

But wait, there’s more! In addition to strengthening your immune system, and lowering your risk of swine flu,  you will accomplish the following:

- reduce food cravings
– have better concentration- sleep better
- lower cholesterol and blood pressure
- lose weight- have more energy and vitality
- see improvements in your skin
- lower risks of all diseases
- balance blood sugar
- fewer doctor’s appointments and medications

For more details on preventing the Swine Flu and other diseases, please tune into this weeks WomanWize and Friends Podcast: Friday May 1 2009 at Noon, Eastern Time.