Health and Wellness Tips

Lecithin: Overview and Benefits

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Nutritional supplements have become a way of life for many people.  A peek into an average pantry will reveal as many supplemental products as actual food items.  One of the most popular supplements is lecithin. What is Lecithin? The term lecithin can actually denote two separate meanings.  In biochemistry and related sciences, lecithin is a synonym for phosphatidyl choline.  This is the main lipid component in biological membranes, like the cell membranes of humans or cell walls of plants.  Commercial lecithin, on the other hand, is a natural mixture of neutral and polar lipids.  This mixture can include glyolipids, sterols, triglycerides and small quantities of fatty acids, sphingolipids and carbohydrates. The polar lipid known as phosphatidyl choline is found in concentrations of 20 to 90% in commercial lecithin. Where does lecithin come from? Lecithin is found naturally in a number of sources.  Lecithin that contains phosphatidyl choline is generally found in vegetable sources, although it may also come from animal and microbial sources.  The majority of commercial lecithin found on the market today come from sunflower and grape seeds.  In commercially produced plant lecithins, the most common source is soybeans. French scientist Maurice Gobley discovered lecithin after it was first extracted from an egg yolk in 1846.  The compound was given its present name in 1850 from the word "lekithos" which is Greek for "egg yolk."  For several years after that, commercially sold organic lecithin was derived entirely from eggs. By the 1930s, however, soybeans had become the primary source of lecithin derived for commercial use. Today, egg yolks are not considered as a major source of lecithin in nutritional supplements. The reason may be that lecithins derived from plants are "GRAS", or generally regarded as safe. Who needs lecithin supplements? Lecithin is a substance that is synthesized from food and used by the human body.  For this reason, lecithin is not considered to be an "essential nutrient" as the body can always get an additional supply of lecithin from its diet.   People rarely suffer from lecithin deficiency.  Even so, a steady supply of lecithin is helpful for our bodies, and allows us to take full advantage of the benefits. Lecithin is naturally found in the foods that we eat, particularly rich foods like soybeans, egg yolk, grains, wheat germ, fish, legumes, yeast and peanuts.  The compound can also be taken as a supplement.  Lecithin capsules, granules and powder is sold in many drug and health food stores, and is sometimes marketed to dieters as a supplement to promote weight loss.  Lecithin is commonly mixed into health shakes or taken in pill form. What are the benefits of lecithin? There are many health claims attributed to lecithin, including: * Better cell and liver function * More efficient fat transport and fat metabolism * Improved cardiovascular health * Improved reproduction and child development * Successful treatment for gallstones * Improved memory, learning and reaction time * Healthy skin and hair * Better cell communication * Increased muscle endurance and physical performance * Arthritis relief Like many of the nutritional supplements that have become so popular these days, lecithin can contribute to overall health.  Discuss the benefits of lecithin before adding the supplements to your diet.

 

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