Looking At Lecithin

By Author: Dr. Victor Marchione
Total Articles: 90
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You might not have heard much about “lecithin,” but it’s a superstar in the commercial food-processing industry. It is a powerful “emulsifier” that’s used in all kinds of industrial applications — from food processing to paint manufacturing to the creation of pharmaceutical drugs.
When it comes to good health, lecithin is equally versatile. Since it was discovered in 1850 by French scientist Maurice Gobley, lecithin has been found to be involved the health of cells of every living organism. In fact, lecithin is added to commercial animal food to stabilize the products and to provide antioxidants.
But what about people? What benefits could lecithin provide for you? First, you need to understand a little bit about the role that lecithin plays in your body. It is one of the major parts of cell membranes. Lecithin contributes to the strength of your cell membranes as well as to their repair. Lecithin helps with the communication that happens within cells. This includes cells from DNA, RNA and proteins. ...
... Lecithin also plays a role in cellular energy production.

Heart Health
Lecithin acts as an emulsifier, breaking up fats and cholesterol. It is partly soluble in water and allows cholesterol and other lipids to be dispersed in water and removed from the body. In this way, it helps support the role of HDL (or “good”) cholesterol in your bloodstream and prevent the buildup of fatty plaque in the organs and arteries.
Lecithin is a rich source of “gamma linoleic acid,” which acts in much the same beneficial way as omega-3 oils do.

Your Liver & Kidneys
Lecithin aids in the absorption of “thiamine” by the liver. It can help repair damage to the liver caused by alcoholism.
Lecithin also helps the body use vitamins A, D, E and K. It is good for cleansing the liver and kidneys. It also plays a role in turning fat into energy within the liver.

Brain Function
Lecithin contains “choline,” which helps with transmitting nerve impulses to the brain. Actually, choline is a building block of another chemical called “acetycholine” that carries messages between nerve cells. Your brain uses acetylcholine for controlling memory.
Another chemical in lecithin, called “phosphatidylserine” (PS), is a building block for brain cells.
PS has been found to improve brain function in people with Alzheimer’s. It has also been shown to counteract age-related memory loss.

Benefits of Lecithin Supplementation
Lecithin is a wise addition to anyone’s diet. It is especially valuable for older adults. For those who are taking niacin for high cholesterol and triglycerides, lecithin could be an important addition to these treatments.

Taking Lecithin
Because lecithin tastes so awful (it would be difficult to acquire a taste for it!), it is best to take it in granule form. Sprinkle two tablespoons of lecithin on cereals, or add it to soups.
You can also add the granules to fruit smoothies or as an extra ingredient in your favorite bread or muffin recipes.
If you want to take lecithin in capsule form, try taking one 1,200-milligram capsule before meals.

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