Lecithin
Powerful Nutritional Supplement
Common Names: Phospholipids, Phosphatidylcholine, and Choline Lecithin is a natural anti-oxidant and a powerful nutritional factor. Lecithin
discovered in 1805 and mostly derived from common egg yolk or from naturally
taking place phospholipids derived from soybeans. Lecithin is extracted from
crude soybean oil through the refining process. Soybeans are a major source of
lecithin. Lecithin plays a fundamental role in human cell function. Levels of
phospholipids in soybean oils range from 1.48 to 3.08 percent, which is greatly
higher than the 0.5 percent normally found in vegetable oils, but far less than
the 30 percent found in egg yolks1-6. Lecithin is found in a large range of
foods. Good sources include cabbage, cauliflower, chickpeas, green beans,
lentils, soybeans, corn, split peas, calves' liver, eggs, brewer's yeast,
grains, legumes, fish, and wheat germ. It is also a common food preservative to
ice cream, margarine, mayonnaise, and chocolate bars. Lecithin is found in every living cell, its highest concentration is in the
vital organs'the brain, heart, liver and kidneys. Our brains show a dry
composition of 30% lecithin. It performs an astonishing array of vital functions
directly affecting our heath and well being. Lecithin may have several health
benefits, including the maintenance of a healthy liver, a healthy heart and
circulatory system, increasing physical performance, and successful pregnancy
and child development. Lecithin or choline supplementation resulted in minor decreases in cholesterol.
A small study of individuals with normal or mildly prominent cholesterol levels
showed that lecithin supplementation decreased both the interest of cholesterol
from foods and the production of low-density lipoproteins (LDL, the "bad" type
of cholesterol) by the body. Lecithin supplements supply a more bioavailable,
timed-release form of choline than supplements made from choline salts like
choline chloride. Lecithin supplements increase choline levels in the blood
higher for a longer time. In addition, choline supplements often cause an
offensive, fishy body odor. Lecithin Benefits - Choline can surely affect brain development.
- Lecithin also acts as a fat emulsifier.
- Phosphatidylcholine may be helpful in the management of Alzheimer''s disease.
- Choline delivered by lecithin can help shrink high homocysteine levels in the
blood.
- Lecithin and choline is essential to liver function and health.
- Choline is commonly regarded as important in brain and mental growth of both the
fetus and infant.
- Lecithin guard against harden of the arteries and heart disease by promote
normal processing of fat and cholesterol.
- Lecithin is used as a remedy for various psychological and neurological
diseases.
Lecithin PrecautionsVery large doses may produce nausea, dizziness or diarrhea.
High doses of lecithin and Lecithin should be accompanied by additional vitamin
C and calcium. Lecithin Dosage 1 to 2 soft gels daily with a meal, or as recommended by your health care
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