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
... 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. "Without lecithin, nothing would survive, because you wouldn't be able to separate the various compartments within cells, nor would you be able to separate cells from each other," he further adds. Lecithin Effects and Choline The word lecithin actually has several different meanings. The generic term refers to lecithin, the compound of lipid and phosphate acid mixtures used in the commercial...
Lecithin Sources
... good for you. But how good? Well, it's been said that lecithin contains various components that are all beneficial to your health. Each tablespoon (roughly worth 7.5 grams) of lecithin granules contains about 1700 mg of phosphatidylcholine, 2,200 mg of essential fatty acids like linoleic acid and 1000 mg of phosphatidylinositol, all of which contribute to just how good lecithin is. And yet as good as lecithin is made out to be, a lot of people do not consume adequate amounts of the compound. While a deficiency in lecithin does not seem to have any adverse effects on people, a deficiency in choline, a component of lecithin, however, can lead to serious illnesses such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. The reason for the reduced consumption of lecithin may have something to do with the lecithin sources themselves. Before World War II, people were in the habit of eating large amounts of organ meats, red meats, whole eggs, whole milk with...
Facts about Lecithin
... 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 Lecithin Side Effects 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 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...
Organic Lecithin
... 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 basis of the scientific premise that the compound may have positively affect those with high cholesterol levels in the blood stream. But while Lecithin Side Effects 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...
Allegra D Side Effects
... your doctor. Allegra D could stimulate the nervous system leading to some known Allegra D side effects which include: headache, restlessness, abdominal pain, nervousness, difficulty in sleeping, dry mouth and tiredness or drowsiness. Serious Allegra D side effects rarely occur. However, if you notice any of the following serious Allegra D side effects then you need to secure immediate medical attention: * difficulty breating or wheezing * fast or irregular heartbeat or palpitations * numbness or tingling of the hand and feet * tremors or muscle contraction Lecithin 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...
Benefits of Lecithin
... 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 Lecithin Side Effects 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...
Soy Lecithin
... pesticides that could be harmful if not purified through a process called the hexane extraction. This process actually yields less soy lecithin than the 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. Lecithin Side Effects But while soy lecithin is more popular for its emulsifying properties, it has more 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....
Lasik Side Effects
... your eyes may tear or water. Your vision will probably be hazy or blurry. You will instinctively want to rub your eye, but don't! Rubbing your eye could dislodge the flap, requiring further treatment. In addition, Lecithin Side Effects you may experience sensitivity to light, glare, starbursts or haloes around lights, or the whites of your eye may look red or bloodshot. These Lasik side effects should improve within the first few days after surgery. One of the possible Lasik side effects is under-correction. That means the doctor may not correct your vision to where he or she thinks it ought to be on the first attempt. If this were to occur, your doctor would simply have you in for another treatment for more correction. Other possible Lasik side effects are over-correction. That means if you're nearsighted now, it's...
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 Lecithin Side Effects the skin products used.
Lecithin Granules Vegetarian
... is fairly common and is found in most foods that we eat whether it is plant 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. Lecithin Side Effects 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% pure phospholipids, which are essential to the structural integrity of the cell membrane. Lecithin granules vegetarian are often referred to as oil-free lecithin because...
What is Lecithin
... about what is lecithin, then you probably know already that the substance is synthesized by the body from food. This means that it is not an essential nutrient, since the body can always get its supply of lecithin from its diet. This is also one of the reasons why hardly anyone ever suffers a deficiency in 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...
Lecithin Benefits
... 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 nutrients into and out of cells. Lecithin forms one of the major...
Natural Cure For Yeast Infection
While medical science is pretty advanced these days and yeast infection can Lecithin Side Effects be cured easily with modern medicine, there is a trend these few years to go natural. There are many natural cure for yeast infection. The main advantage is they are usually very cheap and has no side effects at all. Synthetic medications usually comes with some side effects. Mild ones include dizziness, sleepy etc to more serious side effects such as vomiting and loss of appetite. One such natural cure for yeast infection is probiotics. Probiotics suppresses the growth of harmful bacteria such as candida which is the major cause for yeast infection. Another natural cure for yeast infection is boric acid. It is very effective in killing yeast infection bacteria and has very little side effects since it is natural.
Effect of Lecithin
... commercial side of things to include health as scientists discovered the important role that the compound plays in the cells of every living organism on this planet. The Emulsifier Lecithin was first derived from egg yolk. And for years after that until the 1930s, most commercial lecithin came from egg yolk. Hence, its name "lecithin" which itself was derived from lekithos, Greek for "egg yolk." But then, lecithin was discovered as a by product in the degumming process of soybean oil. And since then, majority of the lecithin we find sold in the market today is soy lecithin. The effect of lecithin is numerous, including antioxidant, lubricant, anti-dusting agent, mixing and blending agent, and wetting and separating agent. But while all these functional properties make lecithin extremely useful, the main purpose of lecithin is still a great emulsifier. What is more, it is also one of...
Lecithin China
... 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 Lecithin Side Effects 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...