Before the 1930s, commercial lecithin sold in the market came mostly from egg yolk. In fact, that is how it got its name. Apparently, when French scientist Maurice Gobley first separated the compound from an egg yolk in 1850, he decided to name it after its derivation - lekithos, meaning “egg yolk.”
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, 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 role in the liver functions as well as the brain. In fact, one of the benefits of soy lecithin is to keep the fatty acids in the bile, thereby helping the liver burn fat better. It is also present in the myelin sheath that covers every single nerve cell found in the body, keeping them healthy and strong. Because of this, many scientists believe that improving brain power may be one of the benefits of soy lecithin.
Choline
Choline is the synthesized form of phosphatidylcholine. It is an essential nutrient, recognized by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in 1998. This means that our body cannot manufacture its own supply of the compound and must therefore depend on food to keeps its supply level adequate. Many studies have been conducted on the benefits of soy lecithin, particularly on phosphatidylcholine, which when synthesized by the body turns into choline. It is said that some of the benefits of soy lecithin may include: positively affecting brain development, improving memory throughout life, cardiovascular health, liver function, and reproductive development.
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Lecithin Benefits
... drop our jaws completely at that shocking news, let's discuss what lecithin is, shall we? And while we do that, why not include in our discussion the lecithin benefits that make this type of fat so uniquely good for the body? Lecithin, the Good Fat Depending on who you're talking with, lecithin can have two different meanings. Commercially, the term refers to a complex mixture of neutral and polar lipids that is popularly used 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...
Benefits of Lecithin
... word lekithos, which is Greek for "egg yolk." It was given Benefits of Soy Lecithin 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...
Health Lecithin
... (PC), a phospholipid component found in every living cell of the body, whether that body is plant or animal in origin. Scientists say that the health lecithin functions encompass everything that pertains to life, e.g., breathing, metabolism, energy production and transport, and nerve function. Many studies have shown the health lecithin benefits include the following: * Improve memory * Normalize reproductive health * Lower risks of cancer * Increase physical performance * And enhance liver and heart health. However, these health lecithin benefits are but the tip of the iceberg. As more and more researchers are focusing much of their time and energy on investigating the compound, more and more of the health lecithin benefits may be uncovered. Where Lecithin Comes From Lecithin...
What is Lecithin
... walls of plants. On the other hand, commercial lecithin is actually a natural mixture 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), Benefits of Soy Lecithin 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...
Soy Lecithin Allergens
... reactions arose. It was in the early 1980s that Stuart Berger, MD, labeled soy lecithin allergens as one of the top seven allergens - sometimes known as the "sinister seven." Besides soy lecithin allergens, other allergens Benefits of Soy Lecithin 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 swollen tongue, difficulty swallowing, lowered blood pressure, excessive perspiration, fainting, anaphylactic shock, or even death. There...
Soya Lecithin
... 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 Benefits of Soy Lecithin of soybeans that is only gaining some attention is the presence of soya lecithin. Admittedly, soya lecithin is 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 commercial lecithin we find sold in stores are derived from soybeans. Soya Lecithin - Its Composition The term "lecithin" is a generic word used to...
Lecithin Effects
... 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 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...
Facts about Lecithin
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 1950. Otherwise, we would still be stuck with using the other emulsifiers in our foods which contain toxins that are harmful for human consumption. One of the most popular 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 you for such your...
Lecithin Sources
... 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 sources sold commercially today are derived from soybean oil. In the United States, soy food consumption is increasing annually. This may help to increase the level of lecithin consumption. Soy food is 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. ...
Lecithin Side Effects
... effects? Lecithin, the Chemical Lecithin is mainly made up of a compound called phosphatidylcholine, which is one of a group of fat soluble phospholipids within the compound. In chemistry, the word lecithin is even used interchangeably with phosphatidylcholine, though most 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 covering that envelopes brain neurons and Benefits of Soy Lecithin 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...
Liquid Lecithin
... 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 the body, it is, however, not an essential nutrient, unlike fatty acids or amino acid. Our bodies already have lecithin and can manufacture more if needed. What is essential however is the synthesized form of liquid lecithin, which is choline. Our bodies derive choline from phosphatidylcholine component in liquid lecithin. To maintain cell membrane integrity and facilitate the movement of fats in and out of cells, as well as ions, wastes, and nutrients, we need Benefits of Soy Lecithin a constant supply of choline. In addition, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine needs choline for its normal functions. Due to liquid...
Organic Lecithin
... extracted the compound from an egg yolk, but was only given its present name in 1850, coined from lekithos, Greek word for "egg yolk." For several years after that, organic Benefits of Soy Lecithin lecithin sold commercially was derived entirely from eggs. As a powerful emulsifying agent and an additive that could extend the shelf life of processed foods, the commercial food industry used the product in baked goods, chocolates, salad dressings, nut butters, candies, protein drinks, instant soups, and prepared foods. Organic lecithin could also be added into recipes to improve flavor and to act generally as an emulsifier. Then, in the 1930s, 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...
Lecithin China
... with hydrogen peroxide in order to reduce its color from brown or beige to light yellow. Some manufacturers add fluidizing additives such Benefits of Soy Lecithin 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...
Structure of Lecithin
... vital role during pregnancy and infancy. Since babies have only limited capacities, they need arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid to synthesize fatty acids from their precursors. Structure of Lecithin: Soy Markedly different from egg yolk lecithin, the structure of lecithin derived from soy actually consists of three types of phospholipids: phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylinositol (PI). Since soy lecithin is obtained in the process of degumming crude soy oil, it contains minimal amounts of hydratable compounds (1.8%), comprised primarily of phosphatides. After going through the synthesizing process, the resulting structure of lecithin is 30-35% crude soy oil and 65-70% phosphatides. Oil can then also be removed completely with the addition of Benefits of Soy Lecithin acetone. In the structure of lecithin derived from soy, the phosphatides consist of glycerides, which are the basic...
Lecithin Weight Loss
... the liver, which will then break it down so the body can use it as a source of energy. If the fats are not properly broken down, they will accumulate and can become rancid producing free radicals that damage liver cells. Lecithin in liver cells helps facilitate proper functioning of the liver, particularly in fat metabolism. In addition, lecithin helps keep fats in liquid 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...