The Truth About Soy: What You Need to Know

Shaklee - The Most Trusted Name in Clinical Science - Dr Steven Chaney PhD, Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics

The Soy Quality Control Checklist

Before purchasing any soy product, ensure it meets these seven essential quality standards for optimal health benefits:

1. Organically Grown – Free from harmful pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides.

2. Non-GMO – Avoid genetically engineered soy, which may cause negative health reactions.

3. Contains All 9 Essential Amino Acids – Essential for hormone production, digestion, and immunity.

4. Water-Washed Processing – Preserves beneficial isoflavones and nutrients.

5. Anti-Thyroid/Anti-Growth Substances Removed – Prevents interference with metabolic function.

6. Minimal Heat Processing – Prevents denaturation of amino acids.

7. Calcium Fortified – Ensures pH balance and prevents bone loss.

The Hidden Dangers of Processed Soy

Soy is commonly found in processed foods as hydrolyzed soy protein—a chemically altered form. Alarmingly, 94% of soy produced in the U.S. is genetically modified. Processed and GMO soy can contribute to food sensitivities, particularly in children.

However, true soy allergies are rare. Most individuals experiencing soy sensitivities react to poor-quality, highly processed soy rather than naturally sourced soy. Shaklee was the first company to offer a non-GMO, naturally processed soy isolate—a safe, high-quality protein source.

Supporting Gut Health to Tolerate Soy

For those with soy sensitivities, introducing Shaklee Optiflora (prebiotic/probiotic system) or EzGest (digestive enzymes) can aid in healing the gut. Many modern health concerns, including autoimmune conditions, stem from poor digestive health. Restoring gut integrity is essential for optimal immune function.

The Science Behind Shaklee Soy

Why Organic Matters

Chemical fertilizers reduce nutrients in crops and increase harmful nitrates linked to cancer. Conventional soybeans are often treated with Roundup, a potent weed killer. Organic soybeans eliminate this risk, ensuring purity and safety.

The Danger of GMO Soy

Genetically modified soy is cheaper but alters the soybean’s natural composition, potentially increasing allergic reactions. Children are particularly susceptible to these effects.

Amino Acids: The Building Blocks of Health

Soybeans provide a complete protein with all nine essential amino acids. Each batch of soy must be tested to guarantee amino acid content. A deficiency in just one amino acid can suppress the immune system by 30%!

Alcohol vs. Water Washing

Alcohol washing reduces isoflavones by up to 88%. Isoflavones are vital for reducing breast, prostate, lung, and bowel cancer risks, as well as balancing hormones and increasing bone mass. Shaklee uses water-washed soy to retain these benefits.

The Anti-Thyroid Factor

Raw soy contains anti-thyroid compounds that hinder thyroid function. Asian cultures cook soy to remove this substance. Shaklee’s extraction process eliminates this issue while preserving the highest level of amino acids and isoflavones.

Heat Sensitivity and Soy

High-heat processing destroys up to 50% of essential amino acids. Shaklee’s low-heat method preserves protein integrity for maximum health benefits.

Why Calcium is Essential

When soy oil is removed, the resulting powder becomes acidic. Adding calcium neutralizes this acidity, preventing bone loss. Many brands fail to include sufficient calcium, leading to misleading claims about soy's effects on bone health.

Soy and Cancer: The Truth

Soy becomes carcinogenic only when overcooked or processed into textured vegetable protein (TVP), commonly found in soy burgers and soy dogs.

Roasted soybeans should also be avoided due to their high fat content, which turns into harmful trans fats when heated.

Soy and Breast Cancer

Some concerns exist regarding soy and estrogen-related cancers. However, soy’s phytoestrogens are 1,000 times weaker than the body’s natural estrogen. In fact, consuming high-quality soy blocks stronger, harmful estrogens, reducing the risk of estrogen-fed cancers.

Hundreds of clinical studies confirm that high-quality soy is not only safe but also highly beneficial.

Why Choose Shaklee Soy?

Shaklee’s soy products meet all seven essential quality standards, providing a pure, safe, and effective plant-based protein option. For optimal health, choose only scientifically validated, non-GMO, naturally processed soy like Shaklee's.

For more information or to order, visit: Shaklee US site

Compiled by Dr. Stephen Chaney, PhD, Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, UNC School of Medicine. Dr. Chaney holds a BS in Chemistry from Duke University and a PhD in Biochemistry from UCLA. With an active cancer research program at UNC and over 100 published scientific articles, he is a leading authority on nutrition and biochemistry.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.