It breaks up fats and cholesterol. It is excellent for a healthy heart. It is a rich source of gamma linoleic acid (GLA) and has the highest phosphatide concentratil available (98% or more). It helps the body utilize vitamins A, D, E, and K and is excellent for memory, concentration, and recall. It cleanses the liver and kidneys and helps the body absorbs nutrients. And to top it all off, it adds sprinkle to your salads, favorite drinks, nut butter, spreads or sauces.
Yet, for all the wonderful benefits of lecithin, would you believe that it is actually nothing more than a byproduct of soybean processing? Byproduct, meaning it is little more than waste. So how come this purportedly “waste” product contains so many health benefits? What is the theory behind the benefits of lecithin?
Lecithin - Its History and Origin
The word lecithin comes from the word lekithos, which is Greek for “egg yolk.” It was given that name because lecithin was actually first discovered in 1805 when the French scientist Maurice Gobley isolated the compound from an egg yolk.
Lecithin is a great emulsifier. Since its discovery, it has been widely marketed in the commercial sector as an emulsifier used mainly in the food industry as well as an ingredient in products such as paints and pharmaceuticals.
For years, people got their source of lecithin from egg yolk. Then in the mid 1930s, lecithin was recovered from the waste products of soybean processing, a discovery that changed the whole face of commercial lecithin. Today, most of the commercial lecithin we find sold in the market come from soybeans.
Lecithin - Its Benefits
Lecithin is regarded in the scientific community as a synonym for phosphatidyl choline (PC), which is said to be the main compound responsible for all the benefits of lecithin, specifically its medicinal effects.
When we consume phosphatidyl choline, the compound is broken down into the nutrient choline, which many consider as an essential nutrient. “Essential” because our bodies cannot manufacture their own supply of choline and instead we have to depend on the foods that we eat to maintain the right levels.
Lecithin is an essential component in the cell membrane. In fact, it defines its structure. As such, one of the benefits of lecithin is to maintain the integrity of cell membranes, helping facilitate the movement of fluids inside and outside the cell.
As a component of bile, lecithin keeps fats emulsified. You have noticed how fats work under certain conditions. When exposed to low temperature, they tend to turn white and go into a semi-solid state. And when exposed to high temperature, they turn completely liquid. Imagine what would happen to the body if our fats, or lipids, are subject to the slightest change in temperature. That is why one of the benefits of lecithin is its emulsifying action, keeping fats properly balanced and maintained.
Lecithin is also a component of the myelin sheath, the thin covering that layers our brain cells and spinal chord to protect it from damage. Not only that but some studies have shown that one of the benefits of lecithin is to facilitate cell signaling, that is the process by which cells communicate with each other to improve bodily functions.
Posted by admin in Health
Lecithin Benefits
... as an emulsifier and/or lubricant. In biochemistry, it refers to phosphatidylcholine (PC), a phospholipid compound comprised of glycerol, two fatty acids (linoleic acid and inositol), a phosphate group and choline (a type of B vitamin). Lecithin is typically found in the cell membrane or cell walls of every single living cell of an organism, whether plant or animal in origin. As you may already know, the cell membranes or cell walls are a semi-permeable layer that is responsible for regulating the passage of nutrients into and out of cells. Lecithin forms one of the major components of this membrane. In addition, lecithin is also a major component in the protective sheaths that surround the brain, muscles, and nerve cells. Although lecithin is essentially a lipid, it is also partially soluble in water due to its phosphate group. This unique structure of the compound contributes to one of its lecithin...
Benefits of Soy Lecithin
... to the presence of phosphatidylcholine and its synthesized form, choline. Phosphatidylcholine, a Powerful Emulsifier One of the main functions of soy lecithin is to act as an emulsifier inside or outside the body. Outside, it is used commercially to keep chocolates, candy coatings, margarine, butter, and a whole lot more. It is even used in the pharmaceutical industry as well as various other industries that produce materials such as paint, textile, to name a few. On the other hand, if talking about the benefits of soy lecithin inside the body, then we have to take into account the role that phosphatidylcholine plays in the living cell. As a phospholipid, phosphatidylcholine is a major component of the cell membrane, along with cholesterol and triglyceride. It helps keep the cells and its various organelles apart from each other and facilitates many of its basic functions, including cellular signaling. In addition, it contributes to the cell's structural integrity and helps keep harmful microbes from entering the healthy living cell. Phosphatidylcholine plays a significant...
Health Lecithin
... result in an inadequate dietary intake of lecithin and choline, a component of lecithin. In order to make up for the lecithin lost through reduction of egg consumption, organ meats, and red meats, health lecithin supplements are taken. Why is it Good? As a phospholipid, lecithin is both phosphorus and fats (lipids). As such, it is an excellent source of essential fatty acids, which are a part of each molecule. Because phospholipids are both fat loving (lipophilic) and water loving (hydrophilic), lecithin helps protect the cell's essential fatty acids, which are polyunsaturated and extremely vulnerable to oxidation. By Benefits of Lecithin taking in health lecithin supplements, especially in the form of granules, we can help protect the essential fatty acids in our bodies, keeping them from turning rancid and start harming other healthy cells. Another health lecithin benefit...
What is Lecithin
Still, having a steady supply of lecithin for our body's use is good, if only to take advantage of the benefits it has to offer. Lecithin is naturally found in the foods that we eat, especially rich foods, such as egg yolk, soybeans, grains, wheat germ, fish, legumes, yeast, peanuts, etc. The compound can also be found as supplement sold to the public. Lecithin capsules, powder, or granules are sold in many food and drug stores, often marketed as weight loss promoting supplements for dieters and weight loss enthusiasts. In addition to that, lecithin is also taken Benefits of Lecithin in a pill form or mixed into health shakes. What is lecithin's claim to health? The following are some of the many health claims that lecithin is said to have: * Cardiovascular health * Liver and cell function...
Soy Lecithin Allergens
... in processed foods arose. The compound lecithin was discovered in the by product of soybean processing. After the soybeans were processed and its oils extracted, the liquid waste that is left is made to under go a "degumming" process in order to separate its lecithin content. Since then, most of the lecithin sold in the market today are derived from soya. Soy lecithin is said to contain many benefits that help improve overall lecithin. The presence of lecithin in every cell of the human body as a major component of the cell membrane has led many scientists to conduct investigations on the role of lecithin in the normal bodily processes. It was found that a component of lecithin, phosphatidylcholine and its synthesized form, choline, are vital to liver health in that they help keep fats in the bile and protect liver cells from the ravages of oxidation. Other studies also showed that choline may play a...
Soya Lecithin
... a significant amount of antioxidants, which are chemical substances that help destroy disease causing free radicals. Nearly all aspects about soybeans have already been studied to determine why this small legume is so beneficial. From tofu to miso to shoryu, soybeans have been consumed widely because it is generally considered as good for the body. But one aspect of soybeans that is only gaining some attention is the presence of soya lecithin. Admittedly, soya lecithin is Benefits of Lecithin not a novel idea. In fact, the first time that lecithin was extracted from soya was in the 1930s. Until that time, the commercial industry derived lecithin from egg yolks. But soon it was discovered that the by product of soybean processing contains substances, which when synthesized yields a surprising amount of soya lecithin. Today, majority of the...
Lecithin Effects
... and keep them from separating. When you place the chocolate bar in the freezer, the low temperature causes the lecithin effects on the fat to fall apart. That's why the fat rises to the surface, giving the chocolate that whitish tinge. Besides being found in egg yolks and soybeans, lecithin is also present in all living cells of the body. Lecithin is actually a complex mixture of phospholipids, the most important of Benefits of Lecithin which is phosphatidylcholine, which is the number one source of choline. With its emulsifying lecithin effects, the substance is said to help keep fatty substances in bile produced by the liver. Bile is a kind of juice that your body secretes to ease digestion and help your body absorb valuable nutrients, as such, lecithin plays a role in the normal digestive processes of your body. Steven Zeisel, M.D., PhD.,...
Facts about Lecithin
... an essential nutrient, although it may have some beneficial effects. As a phospholipid, the facts about lecithin will indicate that the substance is a major component in cell membranes. Lipids make the cell membrane semi-permeable - that is, it allows some Benefits of Lecithin substances in while keeping other substances out. With its main component of choline, lecithin facilitates the movement of fats in and out of cells, as well as ions, wastes, and nutrients. Besides providing protection around the cells, the facts about lecithin will also tell you that its function encompasses even the framework of the cell itself. Along with protein and carbohydrates, lecithin helps keep the cell structure strong and retain its shape. Functions and Benefits All the facts about lecithin will lead you only to one thing: that it's a good thing the French scientist Maurice Gobley discovered it when he did in...
Lecithin Sources
... lecithin consumption. Soy food is Benefits of Lecithin one of the most versatile of lecithin sources. The soybean can be eaten whole after it has been boiled or roasted. It can also be transformed into a great variety of foods, the more popular of which are tofu, meat alternatives, soy sauce, soy flour, and soybean oil (usually called vegetable oil). Supplements Another alternative to getting adequate supply of lecithin is supplementation. Supplements are excellent lecithin sources; one tablespoon of lecithin granules contains as much as a 1, 725 mg/serving. A soft gel capsule of lecithin supplement may contain less at 180 mg/serving. The concentration of lecithin in supplements varies according to its form. According to many sources, one of the best lecithin sources is lecithin granules, which contain a high percentage of phosphatidylcholine, which when synthesized by the...
Lecithin Side Effects
... commercial lecithins (especially those derived from soybean) contain only about 20% of the compound. The chemical substance lecithin is found in all living organisms, specifically comprising the cell membrane and other membranes of organelles inside the cell itself. It is also a major component of the myelin sheath, which is the thin Benefits of Lecithin covering that envelopes brain neurons and our nerves. The unique structure of lecithin plays a role in the protection of our body from the destructive effects of oxidation. It also helps in the digestive processes through the action of bile which contains lecithin produced by the liver. There have been studies that show how lecithin could also have positive lecithin side effects on persons with high blood cholesterol level, appearing to lower it down. Lecithin, the Wonder Food Unlike other chemical substances such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats and...
Liquid Lecithin
... protect them from the ravages of oxidation. The compound also helps keep the liver cells healthy so they can continue doing Benefits of Lecithin their function of filtering and cleansing the blood of all toxins and harmful molecules. Sources Liquid lecithin can be found in nearly all kinds of food. But the richest sources of liquid lecithin are those that are high in fat and cholesterol, such as eggs, red meat, organ meat, etc. Soybeans are also good sources of liquid lecithin. In fact, majority of commercial lecithin sold in the market today are derived from soybean oil even as the first lecithin was separated from egg yolk in 1850. Every person needs adequate supply of liquid lecithin. While it is true that there are only very rare cases of lecithin deficiency, including lecithin-foods in your diet is one good...
Organic Lecithin
... consist of organic lecithin. Through a process called "degumming," organic lecithin was extracted from the sludge and sold as an alternative to egg lecithin. Organic lecithin that comes from plants is generally regarded as safe. That is because animal lecithins are often excreted through the kidneys which may contain toxins and harmful substances, whereas you will never face that kind of danger with organic lecithins from plants. As a result, majority of the organic lecithin sold commercially in the market consist of soybean lecithin. Besides being used in foods that we generally consume, organic lecithin has also expanded its function to include animal feeds, cosmetics, paints, and metal tape. The compound is even available as a supplement in capsules, pills, or granules. Effects and Benefits There are several functional effects associated with lecithin. First, it is an emulsifier, capable of keeping oils from separating and keeping fat molecules dispersed in food products. This ability of organic lecithin to keep essential oils and disperse fats is the...
Lecithin China
... as soy oil, fatty acids, or calcium chloride to the product in order to reduce the viscosity to that of honey and prevent it, on cooling, from becoming a highly plastic solid. Lastly, the lecithin China product is film or batch dried to reduce the moisture to as little as 1%. Functions Since its discovery in the 1930s, lecithin China is ubiquitous in the processed food supply. As an emulsifier, it is often used in margarine, peanut butter, chocolate candies, ice cream, coffee creamers, and infant formulas. In addition, because of its keeping abilities, lecithin China also helps prevent product spoilage, extending shelf life in the marketplace. Lecithin China is also handy around the industry kitchens where it is utilized in improving mixing and speed crystallization. As one of the few emulsifiers in the market considered by the US Food and Drug Administration as Generally Regarded As Safe for use, lecithin China is also...
Structure of Lecithin
... to the term "lecithin." Commercially, the structure of lecithin consists of a mixture of neural and polar lipids that act as emulsifiers and/or lubricants. In biochemistry, it refers to phosphatidylcholine, a phospholipid composed of glycerol, two fatty acids, a phosphate group and choline. Lecithin was first discovered in 1846 when French scientist Maurice Gobley separated the nutrient from egg yolk. In 1850, he gave it the name lekithos, which is Greek for "egg yolk." But by the 1930s, majority of the lecithin sold commercially was derived from soybean oil. The nutrient was found as a by product of the degumming process of soybean oils. The Structure of Lecithin: Egg Yolk There are differences in the structure of lecithin derived from egg yolk and Benefits of Lecithin those derived from plants, such as soy lecithin. First, the structure of lecithin derived from egg yolk is essentially composed of triglycerides and phospholipids, which differs considerably from plant lipid mixtures. Egg yolk lecithin contains long chain polyunsaturated...
Lecithin Weight Loss
... it a valuable compound in the weight loss and diet community. In fact, the compound is currently marketed as a lecithin weight loss supplement, an alternative weight loss regimen for those who want a diet quick fix. Of course, lecithin can be naturally found in foods that we eat. Certainly, foods that are rich in lecithin Benefits of Lecithin are foods that we often include in our daily diet, such as egg yolk, soybeans, grains, wheat germ, fish, legumes, yeast, and peanuts. However, if these are not enough, lecithin weight loss supplements are also sold in capsule, powder or granular form. Lecithin weight loss supplements are highly filtered. That means they contain less than 35% of phosphatidyl choline while the rest are made of various substances. Majority of these lecithin weight loss supplements are derived from soybeans, although egg yolk lecithin weight loss supplements can...