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Lecithin Benefits for Hypertension & Health

Lecithin is a mixture of phospholipids that occurs naturally in foods like eggs and soybeans. It plays an important role in the human body, making up 30% of brain weight and 66% of liver fat. Lecithin is claimed to have health benefits like improving cardiovascular health and liver function, though evidence is limited. It may play a role in cholesterol metabolism, but studies are inconclusive as to whether lecithin significantly lowers cholesterol. Lecithin is generally safe, but people with extreme soy allergies may need to avoid soy lecithin.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
340 views11 pages

Lecithin Benefits for Hypertension & Health

Lecithin is a mixture of phospholipids that occurs naturally in foods like eggs and soybeans. It plays an important role in the human body, making up 30% of brain weight and 66% of liver fat. Lecithin is claimed to have health benefits like improving cardiovascular health and liver function, though evidence is limited. It may play a role in cholesterol metabolism, but studies are inconclusive as to whether lecithin significantly lowers cholesterol. Lecithin is generally safe, but people with extreme soy allergies may need to avoid soy lecithin.

Uploaded by

ndieyrue
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

What is lecithin? Hypertension take lecithin okay?

Known as lecithin and protein, vitamin parallel “Third nutrients”, lecithin as a functional health food,
though not immediate results, but with a comprehensive, long-term, stable results, while no drug side
effects, so physicians are in line with its characteristics, after extensive research showed that the
prevention of these diseases have a very good role.
Lecithin not only can prevent fatty liver, but also to promote regeneration, while the
phospholipid can reduce serum cholesterol levels and help prevent cirrhosis of liver function recovery.
The hangover effect of lecithin and its strong emulsion, and can fully protect the liver cells, but also can
promote the activation and regeneration of liver cells, and enhance liver function, pure traditional
Chinese medicine to reduce alcoholic liver cirrhosis, fatty liver and other diseases prevalence.
Because it can regulate cholesterol levels in the body, reduce cholesterol, high blood cholesterol
and coronary heart disease incidence. DUKE University of North Carolina professor of psychology, Dr.
Warren Blake medicine mentioned in the report: pregnant with lecithin rearing large brand name
underwear mice, their offspring in the intelligence tests (maze test), the memory is not significantly
better than the offspring of rats reared lecithin.
University of North Carolina professor and director of Nutrition Division, a leading expert
meeting, MD, PharmD, Steven Ze Seer message in the General Assembly, said: “summary of research on
all of lecithin, and we should be especially recommended for pregnant women to take appropriate
lecithin, which for their baby’s mental development is very important. “U.S. Food and Drug Authority
(FDA) requires that all babies should be appropriate to add lecithin diet.
Lecithin treatment of hypertension with the emulsion, the role of decomposition of oil, can
improve blood circulation, improve serum lipid peroxide removal, the blood cholesterol and neutral fat
content, reduce fat in the blood vessel wall of the residence time, to promote the dissipation of
atherosclerotic plaque and prevent the cholesterol induced intimal injury. Taking lecithin cholesterol
high blood cholesterol and high significant effect, thus prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis
(hypertension, myocardial infarction, stroke).
Crown job bible heart lecithin deficiency causes decreased function of the pancreas can not
secrete enough insulin, can not effectively transport glucose in the blood to the cell, this is one of the
leading underlying causes of diabetes. Such as the daily consumption of 20 grams or more of lecithin,
the recovery of diabetes is quite remarkable. Many patients can no longer even insulin injections.
Especially for diabetic gangrene and arteriosclerosis in patients with complications such as more
effective.
Stroke lecithin excess cholesterol can be decomposed, digestion and absorption, so that the bile
cholesterol remain liquid. If the daily intake of a certain amount of lecithin can effectively prevent the
formation of gallstones, and the formation of gallstones has been resolved can also play a role. Under
normal circumstances, pregnant women’s amniotic fluid contains large amounts of lecithin. Human
brain cells are about 15 billion, of which 70% of the early in utero has been formed. In order to promote
the healthy development of fetal brain cells, pregnant women get enough lecithin is very important. The
formation of infant brain development during the most critical period of brain lecithin can promote the
growth system and the brain volume, and development.
hypertension ate? www.gaoxueya5.com.cn hypertension Concert: Guan Xin high lecithin is a natural
antidote to too much it can break down the body of toxins, and the handling by the liver and kidneys
excreted. When the body of toxins down to a certain concentration, the face of the spots and acne will
gradually disappear. Lecithin also has a hydrophilic, and increase the function of hemoglobin, if daily
doses of a certain amount of lecithin, can the skin to provide adequate moisture and oxygen, the skin
becomes smooth and soft.
Lecithin is essential every cell in the body material, the absence will reduce the ability to
regenerate skin cells, resulting in rough skin, wrinkles. If adequate intake of lecithin, skin regeneration
activity can be protected, along with lecithin good hydrophilicity and lipophilicity, of course, have shiny
skin. In addition, the lecithin contained in the main inositol or hair nutrient, can inhibit hair loss, so that
gradually darken gray hair. Brain neurotransmitter (acetylcholine) reduction is the main cause dementia,
nervous system acetylcholine is the transmission of information as is necessary compounds. Symptoms
of high blood pressure and “cholinergic” is the basic component of lecithin, lecithin will ensure adequate
supplies of the body has enough of acetyl choline and the combination of the human body,
“acetylcholine”, making the brain conductive material to provide sufficient information the brain uptake
directly from the blood lecithin and choline, and quickly transformed into acetylcholine.
Long-term memory loss supplement lecithin can slow the process, prevent or delay the
occurrence of dementia. Often added lecithin, can supplement the brain in a timely manner, maintain a
healthy working state, which will help to eliminate fatigue, intensify the brain cells, improving the result
of nervous tension caused by impatience, irritability, insomnia. In addition, smokers should be a lot of
added lecithin. Lecithin content of the lungs of smokers is only about one-seventh of non-smokers.
Alveolar oxygen uptake for the body cells, alveolar moist, easily dissolved oxygen inhalation, and vice
versa causing hypoxia. The symptoms and treatment of hypertension with good hydrophilic lecithin, can
alveoli moist, thereby enhancing the body’s oxygen intake, smoking and the general alveolar dry, lack of
oxygen uptake, and exercise more due to lack of work oxygen and fatigue, so it should be more to add
lecithin. We are a major source of edible soybean lecithin and egg yolk lecithin phospholipids, and
phospholipids, in essence, both what difference does it make? Below we will discuss. In addition, milk,
animal brain, bone marrow, heart, lung, liver, kidneys and contain soy lecithin, and yeast. Lecithin in egg
yolk, soy, fish head, sesame seeds, mushrooms, yams, and black fungus, grains, fish, animal liver, eel,
red-bellied snake, cobra, safflower oil, corn oil, sunflower and other foods have a certain content, but
more complete nutrition and content of, or soybeans, egg yolks and liver. Lecithin combined with
proteins in the body and more to fat protein (LDL) form of existence, so the attitude of lecithin is rich in
nature which, if they can get enough variety of food, do not have to worry about the problem will be
lack of they also do not need extra nutrition lecithin.

Lecithin was first identified in 1846 by Maurice Gobley, a French chemist. It is the name for a mixture of
phospholipids, an important component of food products, occurring both naturally and added as a
supplement. The body breaks down lecithin into choline, phosphate, glycerol, and fatty acids.
Lecithin is found naturally in a number of items used for food, including egg yolk, fish, grains, legumes,
peanuts, soybeans, wheat germ, and yeast. It is also used in food preparation to create products such as
baked goods, chocolate, margarine, and mayonnaise because of its ability to moisturize, preserve, and
emulsify. It is a key ingredient in cooking spray—the substance used to replace oils, margarine, and
butter in sautéing and baking.
Lecithin is also used in medical practice as well as in other commercial products, such as plastics,
pharmaceuticals, pesticides, cosmetics, soap, and paints. For these applications, it is extracted from eggs
or soybeans. Lecithin is also sold in powder, grain, liquid, or capsules as a dietary supplement.
As a dietary supplement, lecithin is claimed to have a number of roles, including improving
cardiovascular health, relieving the symptoms of arthritis, and improving liver function. It is primarily
offered as a supplement to assist in weight loss and to provide boosts in fat metabolism, despite the fact
that these claims are made without the presentation of any scientific evidence to show that lecithin is
effective in weight loss and fat metabolism. Additionally, some claims have been made for soy lecithin
improving the metabolism of cholesterol, although the studies that supported this have had their
methodology called into question.
Despite this, lecithin does have a crucial role in the human body, as evidenced by the fact that
approximately 30% of our brain weight and 66% of our liver fat is lecithin. In addition, lecithin is an
essential constituent of every human cell. The American Heart Association believes that lecithin is best
obtained naturally through foodstuffs, rather than through supplements, and no Recommended Daily
Allowance (RDA) has been set by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

r danger to a very small portion of the population with an extreme soy allergy. Although most people
with soy allergy are allergic only to soy protein, and therefore not affected by soy lecithin, people who
are extremely allergic to soy may also be sensitive to soy lecithin and experience an allergic reaction

What Is the Connection Between Lecithin and Cholesterol?

Lecithin is a natural fat-soluble compound found in egg yolks and soybeans, and is also sold on its own in
the dietary supplement section for various ailments and conditions. There is a correlation between
lecithin and cholesterol lowering, but studies are not conclusive as to whether lecithin provides a major
benefit. Many lecithin supplements, which are usually derived from soybeans, claim a link between
lecithin and cholesterol reduction. Other than the weak evidence which supports the link between
lecithin and cholesterol, lecithin has been shown conclusively to improve cognitive abilities.
The connection between lecithin and cholesterol lowering lies in lecithin's chemical structure, made
primarily of fatty acids. It has been shown that these fatty acids help certain lipids and steroids like
cholesterol maintain a fluid-like passage and aid in the movement of cholesterol out of the bloodstream
and away from the body. Although lecithin has been shown to be beneficial in moving low-density
lipoproteins, or LDL, out of the body, the studies have not been conclusive or even widely studied. Many
manufacturers try to benefit from the studies which show a correlation between lecithin and cholesterol
by using the connection in marketing dietary supplements.
Other benefits which have been connected to lecithin include weight loss and skin healing, yet these
theories are more far fetched than that of lowering cholesterol. As lecithin supposedly aids in the
movement of cholesterol out of the body, it is proposed that lecithin will do the same for body fat in
adipose tissue. These theories can become flawed when the caloric content of lecithin is analyzed, as its
fat contributes too many calories to completely link its consumption with successful and lasting weight
loss. It is also unclear as to how lecithin could improve skin healing, but it may be due to the fact that
the fats in lecithin help nourish the skin and underlying tissues.
Other than the loose connections between lecithin and cholesterol, there is one benefit which has had
more support in the scientific field. Cognitive abilities may be strengthened with the use of lecithin, and
it has been shown to be somewhat helpful in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. This disease causes a
decrease in a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine, and lecithin has been shown to increase the
production of this natural neurotransmitter. If LDL lowers while taking this supplement to increase
cognitive abilities, it should be seen as a positive side effect but not necessarily a direct cause.

Lecithin aids in reversing or controlling some diseases. Today's diet does not provide enough nutrients
so supplementation is necessary for lecithin to reap its benefits.
Lecithin is an important phospholipid needed by all living cells.Lecithin is produced within our own
bodies, and can be found in the major organs:the heart, the liver, and the kidneys.Lecithin aids in
maintaining our overall health and is utilized by every cell in our bodies.Though it is produced within our
own bodies, we do not always consume enough of the foods that provide the nutrition needed to
produce adequate amounts.Lecithin can be found in many foods such as: cabbage, cauliflower, garbanzo
beans, soy beans, split peas, organic meat, seeds, nuts and eggs.Today's average diet, however, does not
provide enough lecithin to successfully protect or cells and allow lecithin to reap its benefits.As a result,
lecithin supplementation is necessary for overall health and prevention of many conditions and
diseases.Of its many benefits, lecithin has been proven to decrease cholesterol, promote cardiovascular
health, restore damaged livers and improve the brain's memory function.
One way lecithin aids in preventing or reversing certain diseases and conditions is that since it is
predominately comprised of fat itself, it adheres to our cell and nerve linings, forming a sheath, and
prevents cholesterol and other fats from sticking.By doing this, in the case of patients with high
cholesterol, it decreases the body's ability to absorb cholesterol across the intestinal wall, thus lowering
total cholesterol, including LDL's (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol).With the reduction of blood
cholesterol, research has also shown to reverse atherosclerosis, which is the hardening of the
arteries.Though there are pharmaceutical products on the market that control and aid in the control of
these diseases, lecithin, is capable of doing this in a much more natural way and at a much cheaper
price.
Similarly lecithin intervenes with the body's ability to form fat deposits and has aided in reversing the
damage caused by coronary artery disease.By creating a slippery lining, it prevents large fat deposits
from accumulating, allowing the blood to flow more smoothly when it once was clogged with fat
deposits that would lead to blood clots.When it breaks down the body fat, not only does it prevent the
fat from collecting in large deposits in our bodies, it then transports it to the liver and converts it into
usable energy.Lecithin is also known to repair livers that have been damaged by abuse such as too much
alcohol consumption.
Another important benefit of lecithin is its ability to aid in memory function and learning.Many studies
have been conducted where people reported higher retention in learning and ability to recall
information with an increase of lecithin.Even patients with Alzheimer's disease reported an
improvement in memory and orientation.
Although lecithin has proven to reverse many diseases, it can also be used as a preventative source if
the proper foods are consumed on a regular basis, or if supplementation is taken regularly.Unlike
medications that are offered to reverse certain diseases, lecithin is not known to cause an extreme
number of side effects, side effects that themselves require medication to rectify.The few minor
reported side effects of lecithin when consumed in great quantity are: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
anorexia, and sweating.However, no side effects were reported when taken in normal supplemental
doses or through normal food consumption.
Lecithin supplements are produced from soybeans, meats and eggs and can be taken either as a liquid
or as a capsule.You can find lecithin supplements at your local health food store or any market that
carries vitamins and supplements.Lecithin is non-toxic and is approved by the Food and Drug
Administration.It can be taken daily but dosage varies from product to product.However, if you
consistently eat healthy, well-balanced meals, you probably do not need to supplement your diet.
Lecithin
side effects,benefits, research finds
This article was re-formated on August 15, 2010

Background - The function of lecithin


White chocolate is technically not chocolate, because it doesn't contain chocolate solids.
Instead, it is made with a blend of sugar, cocoa butter, milk products, vanilla, and lecithin.
Lecithin can be found native in a number of different foods such as eggs, dairy products, and
meats, but the primary source that is used today comes from soybean

Lecithin is an essential fatty substance that also protects cell membranes from hardening. High
concentrations of lecithin are found in the brain and prostate gland. Lecithin is largely
composed of choline, plus linoleic acid and inositol. It acts as an emulsifying agent, enabling
fats and other lipids to be dispersed in water.

Phosphatidyl choline (a different kind of lecithin) is a powerful fat-emulsifying compound. It


solubilizes fats and cholesterol in the bloodstream and solubilizes dietary fats in the intestinal
mucosa. It maintains the structural integrity of cell membranes.

Lecithin is also a source of choline, a B vitamin with powerful lipotropic activity. Choline is
utilized by virtually every cell for synthesis of various phospholipids, proteins, and the
neurotransmitter-acetylcholine.

BENEFITS OF LECITHIN
Potential Health Benefits of Lecithin Supplements

Lecithin is a very important component of VLDL (very low density lipoproteins) that helps to
transport fats around the body from the liver. The proven health benefits of lecithin can be
achieved by taking soybean phospholipids, lecithin. The benefits may include lipid-lowering;
control of blood levels of cholesterol and triglyceride, stabilisation of the membrane functions,
supporting the hepatic functions. [6]

Lecithin Supplements Marketed as A Support to Liver Function


Administration of choline or lecithin raises plasma and brain choline and acetylcholine levels.
Some people take lecithin supplement mainly for proper liver function and fat utilization. Oral
choline, phosphatidylcholine or lecithin supplements are also marketed as an agent to alleviate
neurological motor disturbances, restore cognition and memory, ameliorate symptoms of
tardive dyskinesia and Alzheimer's disease.

Lecithin is also marketed as a weight-loss aid. While, the total amount of fat calories for most
commercial lecithin products is about 100-200 calories.  Once, I took lecithin for weeks, I
couldn't loss any weight. How are about you? Can you tell me your story? [email protected]

Scientific Evidence
As early as 1966, Japanese researchers have already evaluated the cholesterol-lowering
effect of iodine-lecithin. [7] Then in 1977, Simons LA et al showed use of oral lecithin to lower
cholesterol in an open clinical trial. In 1/3 of healthy subjects and in 3/7 patients suffered from
hypercholesterolaemia, lecithin therapy led to a significant fall in plasma cholesterol
concentration (10-18% fall). [7]

Other Studies
Attia YA and co-workers at Alexandria University, Egypt reported that daily lecithin
supplementation with isonitrogenous diets could improve productive and reproductive
performance of crossbred hens! [13]

Jeyendran RS and co-workers found phospholipids extracted from lecithin was effective for
human sperm cryopreservation! [14]

Lamireau T at CHU Sainte-Justine, Quebec, Canada, found lecithin supplementation offered


beneficial or protective effects for certain types of liver damage in an animal study. [15]

Mechanism

In 1996, A French research group demonstrated that lecithin diet could lower the total and
HDL-cholesterol level. They believed that the cholesterol-lowering effect of lecithin was related
to hepatic microsomal pools of phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol. [8]

Four years later, this research group demonstrated that the cholesterol-lowering mechanisms
induced by dietary soybean lecithin in hypercholesterolemic rabbits at the hepato-biliary level
in a study using rabbits. They also showed that the soybean phosphatidylcholine (lecithin) could
actually lower cholesterol level by retarding the intestinal absorption of cholesterol in study of
endothelial cells. [9,10]

Synergistic Effect on Cholesterol Level


Wilson TA et al at University of Massachusetts Lowell demonstrated that soy lecithin enhanced
the cholesterol-lowering effect of the American Heart Association Step I diet without reducing
plasma HDL-C levels. [11] ]

The Possible Side Effects of Lecithin Supplements

Many people take lecithin supplements due to the popularity of the benefits they provide, without
regard and knowledge of possible lecithin side effects. Lecithin is a lipid material composed of both
choline and inositol which is actually present in our cells as a major component that facilitates the flow
of nutrients going in and out of the cell. Many lecithin supplements have been produced commercially
from Soya and will thus be referred hereon as soy lecithin or Soya lecithin.

Natural sources of lecithin include foods such as soybean, egg yolk, wheat germ, legumes, yeast,
peanuts and wheat germ, among others. Lecithin supplements in the form of soy lecithin are sold in the
market today in powder, capsule and granular forms.
The Many Benefits of Lecithin

Soya lecithin has been found to be effective in various food and industrial applications due to its
emulsifying properties. Its application includes promoting solidity in margarine, giving consistent texture
to creams and dressings, coatings for chocolates, cosmetic uses in shampoos, and several industrial uses
such as in the production of paints, waxes and textiles.

Recently, Soya lecithin has also been seen to have a multitude of health benefits. This comes from the
fact that lecithin can prevent the build-up of fats in the body so that they can be broken down easily and
used as a source of energy.

Lecithin has been popularly promoted for lowering cholesterol, for improving brain function and
memory, keeping the liver healthy and promoting weight loss. There have also been claims that lecithin
supplements can promote relief of arthritis, healthy skin and hair, treatment for gallstones, reproductive
health and development, as well as improved physical performance and muscle endurance. The latter
benefit claims have yet been scientifically proven, however.

Lecithin Side Effects

Though no visible side effects can be felt when taking dosages below 10 to 30 grams of soy lecithin,
higher doses have been seen to cause various problems and side effects which include gastrointestinal
problems, diarrhea, either weight gain or loss of appetite, rashes, headache, nausea, dizziness, vomiting
and unpleasant body odor and bad breath. On the other hand, regular chronic doses of choline over 3.5
grams daily have been seen to cause the occurrence of low blood pressures in a few people. Low blood
pressure signs usually include dizziness, confusion, blurred vision and even fainting.

The Problem with Soy Lecithin

More and more people have been using soy supplement as part of their daily food supplement. But
along with this popularity comes the number of soy lecithin allergy cases reported. These allergies are
caused by an oversensitive immune system such that exposure to certain allergens such as the ones
found in soy lecithin, lead to a reaction that involves the release of huge amounts of antibodies. These
allergic reactions include sneezing, coughing, runny nose, facial swelling, swollen tough, difficulty in
swallowing, shortness of breath, excessive perspiration, low blood pressure, anaphylactic shock, fainting
or even death. So, before consuming soy lecithin supplements of any form, make sure that you check to
see if you are allergic to them in the first place or not.

Before taking them as food supplements, it is very important to be well-informed about possible lecithin
side effects.

Lecithin for Cholesterol Control?

Lecithin is a complex fat-like substance found in the cells of all living organisms. It is also used in the
food industry as an emulsifying agent, and is isolated from egg yolk and soybeans for this purpose. You
will certainly find it wherever dietary supplements are sold, because it has been promoted as a natural
remedy to combat atherosclerosis, improve memory, and fight Alzheimer's disease. There is no scientific
evidence that it has any of these beneficial effects, nor that it promotes weight loss (supposedly by
breaking down fat and enabling the body to flush it out.)

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Claims that lecithin can lower cholesterol are based on the fact that it contains polyunsaturated fatty
acids. But, again, I've seen no evidence to support this. I recommend lecithin only to patients with
multiple sclerosis as a way of strengthening nerve sheaths, which are the targets of that disease and are
composed of myelin, a derivative of lecithin.
Supplemental lecithin is harmless, but if you want a natural product to lower cholesterol, forget it and
consider using red rice yeast extract. It is a source of naturally occurring statins, works as well as
pharmaceutical statins, and has a lower incidence of side effects. (For more information, go to
www.drweil.com and type "red rice yeast" in the search box.)
No matter what supplement or drug you use for cholesterol control, be sure to get at least 30 minutes a
day of aerobic exercise and reduce the amount of saturated fat and trans-fats in your diet. Other
beneficial lifestyle changes include drinking green tea, eating one clove of garlic per day (diced or
crushed in food), and consuming more soluble fiber (such as oat bran), foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids
(good sources include salmon, sardines and walnuts; or supplemental fish oil), and plenty of colorful
fruits and vegetables.
Andrew Weil, M.D.
The kinds of the side effects of lecithin depend on the method of use. Here is a summary of
the incidents of side effects reported in various studies:

Side effect related to ingestion


A case was reported that a healthy man ingested a large amount of vegetable oil and lecithin.
Abdominal pain, early satiety, and significant weight loss were developed, finally surgical
removal of the "mass" was applied. [1]

In a study of 5 ambulatory volunteers with a chronic indwelling T-tube, phospholipid (i.e.


lecithin) feeding was safe and was an effective vehicle for lecithin fatty acyl chain modulation
of bile and lipid membranes. [5]

Side effects related to injection


In an intraperitoneal treatment with hybrid liposomes made of lecithin derivatives n a cancer
model of mice, no abnormal findings in blood chemistry, no serious side effects were
observed. [4] In a treatment of intraobital fat pad herniation, patients received 0.4 mL a
lecithin-derived phospholipid injections. Improvement of the conditions was observed but
incidents of side effects were also reported. The side effects were burning, erythema, and
swelling at the injection site. [2] In another study of reducing fatty pads, volunteers received
phosphatidylcholine injections at several areas of localized fat deposits. Again, improvement
of the conditions and side effects of the applications were reported. [3]

The Possible Side Effects of Lecithin Supplements


Many people take lecithin supplements due to the popularity of the benefits they provide, without
regard and knowledge of possible lecithin side effects. Lecithin is a lipid material composed of both
choline and inositol which is actually present in our cells as a major component that facilitates the flow
of nutrients going in and out of the cell. Many lecithin supplements have been produced commercially
from Soya and will thus be referred hereon as soy lecithin or Soya lecithin.

Natural sources of lecithin include foods such as soybean, egg yolk, wheat germ, legumes, yeast,
peanuts and wheat germ, among others. Lecithin supplements in the form of soy lecithin are sold in the
market today in powder, capsule and granular forms.

The Many Benefits of Lecithin

Soya lecithin has been found to be effective in various food and industrial applications due to its
emulsifying properties. Its application includes promoting solidity in margarine, giving consistent texture
to creams and dressings, coatings for chocolates, cosmetic uses in shampoos, and several industrial uses
such as in the production of paints, waxes and textiles.

Recently, Soya lecithin has also been seen to have a multitude of health benefits. This comes from the
fact that lecithin can prevent the build-up of fats in the body so that they can be broken down easily and
used as a source of energy.

Lecithin has been popularly promoted for lowering cholesterol, for improving brain function and
memory, keeping the liver healthy and promoting weight loss. There have also been claims that lecithin
supplements can promote relief of arthritis, healthy skin and hair, treatment for gallstones, reproductive
health and development, as well as improved physical performance and muscle endurance. The latter
benefit claims have yet been scientifically proven, however.

Lecithin Side Effects

Though no visible side effects can be felt when taking dosages below 10 to 30 grams of soy lecithin,
higher doses have been seen to cause various problems and side effects which include gastrointestinal
problems, diarrhea, either weight gain or loss of appetite, rashes, headache, nausea, dizziness, vomiting
and unpleasant body odor and bad breath. On the other hand, regular chronic doses of choline over 3.5
grams daily have been seen to cause the occurrence of low blood pressures in a few people. Low blood
pressure signs usually include dizziness, confusion, blurred vision and even fainting.

The Problem with Soy Lecithin

More and more people have been using soy supplement as part of their daily food supplement. But
along with this popularity comes the number of soy lecithin allergy cases reported. These allergies are
caused by an oversensitive immune system such that exposure to certain allergens such as the ones
found in soy lecithin, lead to a reaction that involves the release of huge amounts of antibodies. These
allergic reactions include sneezing, coughing, runny nose, facial swelling, swollen tough, difficulty in
swallowing, shortness of breath, excessive perspiration, low blood pressure, anaphylactic shock, fainting
or even death. So, before consuming soy lecithin supplements of any form, make sure that you check to
see if you are allergic to them in the first place or not.

Before taking them as food supplements, it is very important to be well-informed about possible lecithin
side effects.

Lecithin is Good For the Heart


Lecithin is a phospholipid, which is a group of fatty materials that form a major component of all
biological materials. Lecithin for human consumption can be isolated from egg yolk or even created in a
laboratory. Because lecithin can be fully metabolized by humans, it is completely non-toxic and we can
take advantage of its various health benefits. Lecithin can also be used to treat high cholesterol.

Thus far, major studies on lecithin and high cholesterol levels have used soy-derived lecithin. From soy,
the main phospholipids in it are phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylethanolamine,
and phosphatidic acid. Not only does soy-based lecithin reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels, it also
increases good cholesterol levels, also known as HDL.

The health effects of high cholesterol can be extremely serious if left untreated for many years. When
cholesterol builds in the blood and cannot be fully absorbed, it begins to collect along your artery walls
as plaque, which leads to the narrowing and hardening of your arteries. This can lead to:
 Coronary heart disease
 High blood pressure
 Angina
 Heart arrhythmia
 Transient ischemic attack (mini stroke)
 Heart attack
 Stroke
 Peripheral artery disease
Since maintaining a healthy heart is one of the most proactive measures you can take in leading a long,
healthy life, it is a good idea and simple process to incorporate lecithin into your life. As with any
supplement, it is important that you consult with a doctor before combining anything with current
medications you may have. If you have any questions about lecithin or any other supplement we have to
offer, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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