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.
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Lecithin Benefits
... decades, people have been touting that treatment for high cholesterol is one of the many lecithin benefits. There is little evidence to support this claim, mostly because when the studies conducted were largely unreported. Still, these claims about lecithin benefits on high cholesterol may have something to do with the fact that lecithin, specifically phosphatidylcholine, appears to have the ability to disperse cholesterol in the blood, thus keeping them from sticking to the walls of our arteries. In doing this, lecithin may also help prevent atherosclerosis. Another one of the lecithin benefits is that it Benefits of Lecithin displays potential as a remedy for various psychological and neurological diseases, such as Tourette's syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, and bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression). The claim is based on the significant role that lecithin plays in nerve...
Benefits of Soy Lecithin
... However, decades later the same compound was also found in the by product of soybean processing. While soy lecithin does not have nearly as much phospholipids as egg yolk has, its 1.48 to 3.08 percentage of phospholipids is considerably higher than that of the 0.5 percent typically found in vegetable oils. But what are the benefits of soy lecithin? What makes it so good for the body? The answer may lie in its composition. Soy lecithin is comprised of three types of phospholipids, which are a class of fat and water soluble compounds. The phospholipids found in soy lecithin are: phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylinositol (PI), and phospathidylethanolamine (PE). The benefits of soy lecithin can be traced back to the presence of phosphatidylcholine and its synthesized form, Benefits of Lecithin choline. Phosphatidylcholine, a Powerful Emulsifier One of the main functions of soy...
Health Lecithin
... foods that are high in cholesterol and fats. The most concentrated sources of dietary lecithin are organ meats, red meats, and eggs, which is where lecithin got its name by the way - lekithos, Greek for "egg yolk." But with today's current trend in low-fat, low-calorie diet, many have turned away from lecithin-rich foods. This reduction may likely 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...
What is Lecithin
... of neutral and polar lipids, including glycolipids, triglycerides, sterols, and small quantities of fatty acids, carbohydrates, and sphingolipids. The polar lipid Phosphatidyl choline is present in commercial lecithin in concentrations of 20 to 90%. Where does lecithin come from? After asking what is lecithin, you want to know where it is found. Lecithin that contains phosphatidyl choline is produced mainly from vegetable sources, although it may also be found in animal and microbial sources. Majority of commercial lecithins sold in the market today come from soybean (mostly), sunflower, and grape seed. When talking about plant lecithins, the most common source is soybean. When Maurice Gobley, the French scientist discoverer of lecithin, found lecithin in egg yolk in 1950, egg yolk was the sole source of lecithin used by the commercial food industry. However, by the 1930s, the time when soybean lecithin was discovered, egg yolk no...
Soy Lecithin Allergens
... evidence of the benefits of lecithin, there is little in the way to show a real connection between improved conditions and the taking of lecithin supplements. Instead, what doctors have observed is a concerning number of reports of soy lecithin allergens. Soy Allergy In line with the increasing use of soy products today, soy lecithin allergens also arose and allergic reactions arose. It was in the early 1980s that Stuart Berger, MD, labeled soy lecithin allergens as one of the top seven allergens - sometimes Benefits of Lecithin known as the "sinister seven." Besides soy lecithin allergens, other allergens that are considered part of the "sinister seven" are peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, shellfish, fin fish, and wheat. Allergies are a result of an oversensitized immune system that once exposed to a certain type of allergen, such as soy lecithin allergens, reacts by producing vast amounts of antibodies, known as immunoglobulin E (IgE). This results in reactions which may include coughing, sneezing, runny hose, hives, diarrhea, facial swelling, shortness of breath, a...
Soya Lecithin
... tool best known for its emulsifying properties. Soya lecithin helps promote solidity in margarine and give consistent texture to dressings and other creamy products. It also used in chocolates and coatings and to counteract spattering during frying. In addition, soya lecithin boasts of a unique lipid molecular structure which makes it idea for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications and various industrial uses such as paints, textiles, lubricants, and waxes. But while soya lecithin has many functional benefits, recent studies have been focusing on its purported health benefits. There is no arguing that lecithin, or more accurately phosphatidylcholine plays a significant role in the cell. It contributes to its structural integrity, facilitate the movement of fluids in and out, and eases cell communication. Its presence and its perceived role in brain functioning has led many scientists to surmise that lecithin may...
Lecithin Effects
... was soon discovered that lecithin may also be extracted from crude soybean oil after it has undergone a process called hexane extraction. Lecithin Effects as an Emulsifier The food industry is among the first industries that discovered the wonderful lecithin effects of this natural emulsifier. Since its discovery, it has been used in foods such as chocolate, cheese, margarine, and salad dressings. Acting as an emulsifier, the lecithin effects help mix fats with water 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 Benefits of Lecithin present in all living cells of the body. Lecithin is actually a complex mixture of phospholipids, the most important of which is phosphatidylcholine, which is the number one source of choline....
Facts about Lecithin
... is that it exhibits emulsifying properties, which the food industry has found many uses for. Aside from keeping margarine and butter in its solid state and provide coating for chocolates and other foods, lecithin can also be used to enhance the nutritional and physical properties of your everyday recipes. One or two tablespoons of lecithin will give an emulsifying surface of fat over your chili, soups, and gravies, giving them a uniform and appealing look. The fat won't float and people who eat your food will praise Benefits of Lecithin you for such your wonderful recipe. Besides food, lecithin also has other uses. Weight loss and diet enthusiasts consume granules and powders of lecithin directly from the container to help them with their weight loss regimen. Plus, countless studies revealed facts about lecithin that showed how the substance can positively affect persons with high cholesterol levels in the blood. Lecithin has been widely used to help people who...
Lecithin Sources
... a concern for most people, then getting alternative sources, such as supplements may be the solution to look for. According to the USDA, particularly its Economic Research Service, the average American consumed 12 fewer pounds of red meat in 1996 than 20 years ago. In addition to that, it was also found that the average American, even with all the varied uses of lecithin, consume only about 3 g/day of the compound. To maintain adequate supply of lecithin in the body, we need to turn to other lecithin sources, over and above the normal diet. Soy Foods One of the most popular lecithin sources is soy. In fact, most lecithin Benefits of Lecithin sources sold commercially today are derived from soybean oil. In the United States, soy food consumption is increasing...
Lecithin Side Effects
... retrieve, and utilize information. One example is dementia, which is a mental condition that may due to stroke. It has been observed that people who suffer form this condition often have a low level of a natural chemical known as acetylcholine. One of the chemical compounds found in lecithin is acetylcholine. This compound is actually a neurotransmitter that affects the muscles and memory. The lecithin side effects of supplements, the symptoms of dementia may be improved by increasing the levels of acetylcholine in the body. Another example of the wonders of lecithin side effects is its ability to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood. A small study of individuals with normal or mildly elevated cholesterol levels showed that lecithin supplementation decreased both the absorption of cholesterol from foods and the...
Liquid Lecithin
... naturally occurring Benefits of Lecithin compound found in every cell of every living organism, whether of plant or animal origin. While the liquid lecithin sold in the commercial industry is a actually a mixture of neutral and polar lipids (glycolipids, triglyderides, sterols, and small quantities of fatty acids, carbohydrates, and sphingolipids), lecithin in biochemistry is often used as a synonym for phosphatidylcholine (PC), which is itself a mixture of differently substituted sn-glycerol-3-phosphatidylcholine backbones. Phosphatidylcholine is the major component of a phosphatide fraction. When isolated from either egg yolk or soya beans, this form of liquid lecithin is commercially available in high purity and used for a variety of purposes in the food industry as well as other industries. However, for the most part, liquid lecithin is utilized as an emulsifier, and is in fact one of the limited number of emulsifiers commonly regarded as safe to use. Benefits While lecithin is a natural part of...
Organic Lecithin
... soybean consumption experienced a boom and that when it was discovered that the sludge that was the by product of soybean processing actually contains about 1.8% hydrophosphatides, which 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...
Lecithin China
... 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 Benefits of Lecithin 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 used to prevent "weeping," stop spattering, and lumping and sticking during cooking. Besides the commercial food industry, many industries also benefit from lecithin China. For instance, it is used in cosmetics as a product that could soften the skin and help other ingredients penetrate the skin barrier. Health Benefits Lecithin China has been used for many years as a treatment for a variety of illnesses. It has been said to remedy conditions, such as atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis, liver cirrhosis, gall stones,...
Structure of Lecithin
... 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 fatty acids known as LC-PUFAs or Arachidonic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid. Both are bound phospholipids, the former occurring exclusively in cell membranes while the Benefits of Lecithin latter is found in high amounts in optic nerve membranes. In the structure of lecithin derived from egg yolk, arachidonic acid is involved in signal transduction and ensures high membrane fluidity. It is important for body weight development. On the other hand, docosahexaenoic acid is required for normal development of the brain, nervous system, and visual acuity. Consequently, both these important components of the structure of lecithin play a vital role during pregnancy and infancy. Since babies have only limited capacities, they need arachidonic acid...
Lecithin Weight Loss
... form. That way, they do not cling to the veins and arteries and clog the passages - a symptom of the condition called atherosclerosis. By dispersing fat in the water instead of letting them stick to the walls of the arteries, lecithin aids the cardiovascular functions of the body. Lecithin Weight Loss Supplementation The ability of lecithin to facilitate fat burning makes 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 are foods that...