Living Nourished Lives

Not only does Shaklee test each raw ingredient and their products for more than 350 pesticides and contaminants, but Shaklee also has a unique way of approaching health.  As an example, Shaklee strives to create balance so the body can heal itself naturally.  Instead of artificially providing what  the body is supposed to make on its own, Shaklee looks to support the body with nutrients which support the body in its normal functions.  This is one reason why Shaklee does not have any products which are hormones since the human body is made to naturally make these on its own.  Additionally, the amounts of each amino acid found in Shaklee’s soy protein is not randomly chosen for a “Wow!” effect, but is balanced in the same ratio that is found in nature.  There are also 4 clinical studies proving a low glycemic response to Shaklee’s soy protein.  Nature’s balance is also seen in Shaklee’s whole food sourced Vitamin C, retaining naturally occurring cofactors found together with vitamin C,  doing this ensure that it is easy on the stomach.  This differs from Ester C products that add in mineral ascorbates to buffer the isolated ascorbic acid.  Essentially, Shaklee’s products aim to support the body in working towards its own natural balance.

Another difference with Shaklee is that they keep clinical documentation to support each statement that is made by Shaklee.  They don’t make sensational claims just to sound good.  They site research that they have done.  And while people using Shaklee may enthusiastically tell you about the positive results they have experienced themselves or have seen in others after using Shaklee products, Shaklee corporation chooses to focus on science and research for credibility and not testimonies. This brings me to the next difference.  Shaklee is not just committed to being in balance and harmony with nature, but does research and testing to ensure that Shaklee products are bioavailable and that delivery of each nutrient is made at the optimal time and place.   Shaklee’s Vita-C Sustained Release is an example of this.  For a clinically proven maintanace of levels of vitamin C over 24 hours, Shaklee uses natural gum based resin and not the synthetic plastics used for time release products.

And it might seem simple, but really, Shaklee’s commitment to never use artificial… colors, flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives in their products, is a huge commitment.  Many “natural” products have these artificial ingredients in them.  Remember that a product only has to be 20% natural to be labeled as “100% natural”.  Doesn’t it make you question a company’s commitment to nature when they include these artificial ingredients in their products?  This is especially true when you consider that your body doesn’t recognize these artificial, foreign ingredients as food and cannot respond to them as food.  They might make your food look prettier or taste tastier, but your body doesn’t care what it looks or tastes like, as long as it is real, nutritious food.  In this same vein, in both 2004 and 2010, Consumer Reports published a list of the “Dirty Dozen” when it comes to nutritional supplements.  Shaklee has never included any of the items on that list in their products.

Add to this, the attention that Shaklee takes to use the optimal ingredients in their products. They go to New Zealand for their whey (180 Smoothee, Physique, & Meal Shakes), Peru for their Sacha Inchi (Non Soy Life Shake), Nova Scotia in August for their blueberries (Flavomax), Israel for their Tomatoes (Carotomax),  Alfalfa from mature plants with established roots, harvested at the peak time for chlorophyll content.  Additionally, it goes without saying, but Shaklee’s Alfalfa is of course tested to be pesticide free but typically Alfalfa is one of the most highly sprayed crops, so Shaklee’s truly is different in more than one way.  So, even though the testing that Shaklee does on its raw materials and finished products and their zero tolerance for any contaminant found, is quite a profound difference, it is just the beginning of Shaklee’s difference.  That’s how I see it.  What do you think?