An emulsifying substance, lecithin has been touted for years as a wonder food, replete with countless medical benefits, among them is having positive lecithin side effects on persons combating atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis, cirrhosis of the liver, gall stones, psoriasis, eczema, scleroderma, anxiety, tremors, and brain aging. But what is lecithin? And why does it have all these lecithin side 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 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 oils, lecithin is actually not an essential nutrient. Well, yes, it does do wonders for the body, but a deficiency in lecithin won’t make life bad for you. Besides, it is not like you are going to run out of lecithin anytime soon. You can always get your supply of lecithin from the foods that you eat, like eggs (yolks), soybeans, sunflower, grape seed, wheat germ, to name a few.
Lecithin has been the subject of various extensive research studies, particularly concerning its role in degenerative diseases. Because of its being a major component in the structure of myelin sheath and nerve cells, scientists believe that lecithin side effects include a possible cure for conditions involving cognition or those that affect the mental processes used to acquire, maintain, 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 production of low density lipoproteins or LDL cholesterol (the “bad” type of cholesterol).
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Lecithin Effects
... 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 of choline. With its emulsifying lecithin effects, the substance is said to help Lecithin Side Effects 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., professor and chair of the department of nutrition at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, says that the lecithin effects of this great emulsifier helps maintain the structural integrity of cells. Lecithin is one of the major components that make up the cell membrane or outer covering of our cells....
Lecithin Sources
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 Lecithin Side Effects 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...
Facts about Lecithin
... is actually a complex mixture of phospholipids, glycolipids, triglycerides, sterols, and small quantities of fatty acids, carbohydrates, and sphingolipids. Its primary phospholipid components include phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylinositol (PI), and phosphatic acid (PA). Now, since lecithin is present in the cells of all living organisms, you must think and believe that it is an essential nutrient. Certainly, that is what the adverts have been telling us. However, the facts about lecithin will tell you that the substance actually comes from the diet and is only synthesized in the body. Therefore, it is not 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...
Allegra D Side Effects
... * hallucinations * dizziness or fainting spells * convulsions (seizures) To avoid Allegra D side effects, it is good to disclose to the doctor any ailments you have such as high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary illness, glaucoma, thyroid disease, kidney problems or enlarged prostrate sysmptoms. Allegra D is best taken one hour before a meal. If you miss taking a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for the succeeding dose, take only one dose. Don't double the dosage. Inform the doctor about all the medicines you take including herbal products and supplements. If you take drinks with caffeine or alcohol, smoke or use illegal drugs, tell your doctor about it because these could cause possible Allegra D side effects. Allegra D side effects rarely show. But that does not mean Allegra D side effects do not occur. To prevent possible Allegra D side effects, it is good to always consult a doctor before starting...
Organic Lecithin
... products. This ability of organic lecithin to keep essential oils and disperse fats is the basis of the scientific premise that the compound may have positively affect those with high cholesterol levels in the blood stream. But while there is very little evidence to prove that scientific claim, there is however enough proof of organic lecithin's emulsifying action to go around the commercial food industry. Lecithin can be used to lower the fat content of some foods at the same time enable them to still taste good. Organic lecithin sold commercially is composed of a naturally occurring mixture of the phosphatides of choline, ethanolamine, and insotil, with smaller amounts of other lipids. This compound is present in every cell of all living organisms, but is especially vital in organs such as the liver and the reproductive tract and muscles containing high concentration of phospholipids. The function of organic lecithin in the liver bears much attention from the...
Lasik Side Effects
That means if you're nearsighted now, it's possible to over-correct your vision so you become farsighted. This is possible, Lecithin Side Effects but unlikely because your doctor will try to avoid over-correction by being conservative on the initial procedure. If over- correction occurs, it can usually be corrected using an appropriate procedure. Serious complications as possible Lasik side effects are extremely rare. Infection is the most troublesome complication and it can usually be eliminated with antibiotic eye drops. Finally, Lasik side effects could occur if you were to displace your flap and not let your doctor know right away. The doctor will minimize this possibility by having you wear eye patches when you take a nap or go to bed at night, during the first week after the procedure. To avoid possible Lasik side effects, you should contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe pain, or if your vision or other symptoms get worse. See your doctor within the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery and at...
Benefits of Lecithin
... 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" Lecithin Side Effects 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...
Killer Cosmetics and Ingredients You Should Know About
Does the cosmetic industry care about how harmful these ingredients are? Not really. They have been using these ingredients since these ingredients were discovered and found useful for their products. Of course, they do testing to make sure there are no major side effects on the skin or scalp, but a lot of the side effects don't show up quickly, since side effects would be related to diseases, which takes awhile to develop. And when these diseases develop, they are no longer related to the skin products used.
Soy Lecithin
... older ethanol benzol process. However, the process also produces a more marketable lecithin with better color, reduced odor and less bitter flavor. Why are they good? The food industry uses soy lecithin for a variety of purposes. As an emulsifier, the substance helps promote solidity in margarine and give consistent texture to dressings and other creamy products. It is also used in chocolates and coatings and to counteract spattering during frying. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has tagged lecithin as one of the few emulsifiers that is safe for use by consumers. But while soy lecithin is more popular for its emulsifying properties, it has more Lecithin Side Effects to offer. Its unique lipid molecular structure makes it useful for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. In addition, it is also utilized for a variety of industrial purposes, including paints, textiles, lubricants, and waxes. Lecithin is also considered as having beneficial effects to our health. The substance actually contains three types of phospholipids: phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphotidylinositol (PI)....
Lecithin Granules Vegetarian
... in origin or animal. One good source of lecithin is soy food, consumption of which has increased since its beneficial effects were discovered decades ago. Supplementation is also another alternative path that vegetarians can take. A lot of drug companies are starting to market lecithin granules vegetarian to help people get their adequate supply of this nutrient even without eating a lot of lecithin-rich foods. Most experts say that out of all supplemental forms of lecithin, lecithin granules vegetarian is the best. Unlike other forms, lecithin granules vegetarian is versatile and can be consumed directly or be added as an ingredient to food recipes. Lecithin granules vegetarian are 97% Lecithin Side Effects pure phospholipids, which are essential to the structural integrity of the cell membrane. Lecithin granules vegetarian are often referred to as oil-free...
What is Lecithin
... 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 longer held its former place of being the major source of lecithin for commercial use. Today, it is not even a major source of lecithin in nutritional supplements. The reason may be that lecithins that come from plants are GRAS or generally regarded as safe. Who needs to take lecithin? When you know all there is to know about what is lecithin, then you probably know already that the substance is synthesized by the body from food. This...
Lecithin Benefits
... 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, which is to act as an emulsifying agent, making it a convenient ingredient to use in many processed foods. Lecithin for Health While there is little doubt that lecithin is indeed a powerful emulsifier, there is more to lecithin benefits than that. For 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,...
Effect of Lecithin
... in the market as generally safe for consumption. For edible applications, the effect of lecithin is astounding. It is normally added to such food products as shortenings, margarines, baked goods, chocolate, confectionery coatings, peanut butter, powder mixes, and dietary food. It emulsifiers products that are high in fats and oils, as well as promotes stabilization, antioxidation, crystallization, and spattering control. Animals may also benefit from the effect of lecithin. The compound is often added to animal feed, mainly for the same purpose of stabilizing products and providing antioxidant properties. Lecithin for Health Lecithin is one of the major components of the cell membrane, that thin semi-permeable layer that envelope the surfaces of cells. It is mainly comprised of phospholipids, among which are phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylinositol...
Saw Palmetto Side Effects - Be Warned!
... palmetto side effects are said to be usually of minor types though and occurs rarely. These side effects include gastrointestinal distress, diarrhea, headache, cramping, allergic reactions and nausea. Long-term saw palmetto side effects have not been established. That is why one should always consult a doctor prior taking saw palmetto to treat any diseases it claims to cure, and know what other side effects that may be come about with such use. Saw palmetto products affect the hormones in one's body. Thus, one is also warned of the saw palmetto side effects that may result if it will be taken in, together with birth control pills, estrogen replacement products and other hormone based medicines. Treating Saw Palmetto Side Effects Side effects for this herb do not usually require medical attention. But you should not take your case lightly, and always refer the condition experienced with such use to your physician - no matter how minor it may seem. Stop using saw...
Lecithin China
... egg yolk, majority of the commercial lecithin available in the market today come from soybean. Lecithin China varies in color from light tan to dark reddish brown. In terms of consistency, it also varies from fluid to a plastic solid. During soybean processing, a thick gummy material is usually produced as a by product of the crude soybean oil. This gummy material is where you can find lecithin China. How Lecithin China is Produced Lecithin China is one of the most important derivatives of soybean processing. The crude soy oil contains an average of 1.8% hydratable compounds, primarily lecithin phosphatides. Through a process called "degumming," the sludge (the gummy material) is separated from the crude soy oil by the use of a centrifuge. The result is a lecithin China and water emulsion containing 25-50% water, which may be bleached typically with hydrogen peroxide in order to reduce its color from brown or beige to light yellow. Some Lecithin Side Effects manufacturers add fluidizing additives such...