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Proteins - What are they?
Shaklee has some great info on the Shaklee Protein products. Rather than retype them use these links to download the PDF files.
This file is great. Its a presentation by Cindy Latham (click here).
This file is a product brief (click here). Lots of detailed information in a small package.
Shaklee does not use heat while making the protein powder. This helps preserve the vitality of all the amino acids, to make sure the body can fully use the protein. Some of the other soy protein products are alcohol-processed, which removes the isoflavones.
Shaklee uses a water rinse thus preserving all the isoflavones.
There is a ton of really good information about Shaklee Proteins on your member's web sites. Go to the Library tab, then put "protein" in the search bar and hit return. This is an important tool. Use it to learn about products. Use it to get materails for presentations. Its free!
If you want to learn a bit more about the science of proteins, read on.
The science
Proteins are large, complex molecules that play many critical roles in the body. They do most of the work in cells and are required for the structure, function, and regulation of the body's tissues and organs.
Proteins are made up of hundreds of thousands of smaller units called amino acids, which are attached to one another in long chains. There are 20 different types of amino acids that can be combined to make a protein. The sequence of amino acids determines each protein's unique 3-dimensional structure and its specific function.
Next to water, proteins are the most prevalent substance in our bodies.
Everyone knows proteins are important for muscles, but proteins do so much more. Here is a short list of some of the things proteins do for us.
| Function |
Description |
| Antibody |
Antibodies bind to specific foreign particles, such as viruses and bacteria, to help protect the body. |
| Enzyme |
Enzymes carry out almost all of the thousands of chemical reactions that take place in cells. They also assist with the formation of new molecules by reading the genetic information stored in DNA. |
| Messenger |
Messenger proteins, such as some types of hormones, transmit signals to coordinate biological processes between different cells, tissues, and organs. |
| Structural component |
These proteins provide structure and support for cells. On a larger scale, they also allow the body to move. |
| Transport/storage |
These proteins bind and carry atoms and small molecules within cells and throughout the body. |
As you can see proteins serve many critical functions in the body.
If you would like to see a 3D picture of some proteins check out this site: 3D images.
Of the 20 amino acids 9 are called 'essential amino acids.' The body does not produce these, so you must get these from your food. The nine are: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.
Non-essential amino acids are manufactured within the body, but both essential and non-essential amino acids are necessary for the synthesis of tissue proteins. What does all this mean? It means that if you don't supply your body with the essential amino acids it needs, the amount of protein your body can use for building muscle is limited.
So where to do you get the proteins? Most Americans get our proteins from animal products.
sources of protein
Animal products such as steaks, hamburgers, and dairy products can provide a very complete form of protein. But there are two big gotchas with these sources. They are high in saturated fats. As you know saturated fats cause many health problems. Chicken, and fish are also sources of protein.
Anther problem is that proteins start to break down at 123 degrees. The act of cooking starts to break down the proteins we wanted to get from the food. The more you cook it the more damage is done to the food value.
Guess what? Shaklee has a protein source that provides all the amino acids (a complete protein).
What's different about Shaklee's protein? Glad you asked.
Shaklee uses soy protein. Using current methods for measuring the quality of a protein supplement Shaklee's Energizing soy Protein scores a 1.0 - the highest rating possible!
Soy protein provides naturally occurring beneficial plant compounds, called isoflavones. Isoflavones are being extensively studied because they may be related to soy's ability to regulate hormonal balance. The fact that that Shaklee uses a water rinse instead of alcohol is another differentiation that sets Shaklee apart.
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