Lecithin (pronounced less-a-thin) is a lipid that contains phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylcholine and omega 3 linoleic acid. Lecithin is found in every cell in the human body and it is the most widespread lipid found in the human body as well.
Lecithin is used in the weight training and bodybuilding world as a way to process fat in the foods that you eat. In addition, it is also used to improve mind function. In general lecithin maintains cell membrane stability and is also responsible for moving waste and nutrients throughout the body to where it needs to go.
The body produces lecithin naturally through the liver and most people produce the amount of lecithin that they need to function properly. This, however, doesn’t mean that those without a deficiency cannot benefit from a supplement. Simply put, lecithin is good for you!
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Lecithin Deficiency While the evidence is still inconclusive, some studies are suggesting that a deficiency of lecithin is responsible for the development of liver and colon cancer. Studies are ongoing to determine how much effect a lecithin deficiency has on the onset of these diseases. ... more
While the evidence is still inconclusive, some studies are suggesting that a deficiency of lecithin is responsible for the development of liver and colon cancer. Studies are ongoing to determine how much effect a lecithin deficiency has on the onset of these diseases.
In addition, there is sufficient evidence to suggest that a lecithin deficiency can cause Alzheimer’s disease to progress more rapidly in patients with Alzheimer’s. A lack of lecithin doesn’t cause the disease, only speeds the progression.
There are many different types of lipids. Lecithin is a lipid called phospholipids. Phospholipids are the lipids that provide a certain amount of protection for the cells in the human body.
Phospholipids are similar to triglycerides. One of the biggest differences, however, is that phospholipids are self-forming; they aren’t a derivative of anything else in the body. Phospholipids are also the main structural component of cell membranes!
Phosphatidylinositol are important for the way that the cells signal each other. Cell signaling isn’t about communication between cells, it is in regards to the information going on outside of a cell being transmitted to the interior of the cell.
Around the exterior of the cell there are all sorts of information being transmitted through the body via hormones and other signals. If the phosphtidylinositol isn’t working correctly, then the interior of the cell will be unable to react to important information being directed throughout the body.
In addition, phosphtidylinositol is responsible for lipid signaling as well. The information, again, has to be provided to the cells in order to get a response and the phosphtidylinositol has to be healthy in order to provide the proper information to the internal part of the cell.
Phosphatidylcholine, simply put, is responsible for conveying lipoproteins in human tissue. Lipoproteins are proteins that have a lipid component and lipoproteins are the way that lipids get into the bloodstream to get where they need to go.
With out both phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylcholine the human body would be unable to function properly. Protein and lipids would be unable to go where needed and cells would be unable to respond properly within the human body.
Omega 3 linoleic acid is a fatty acid. Omega 3 linoleic acid has been shown in studies to lower triglycerides, reduce the risk of heart attack, may help regulate irregular heart rates, and even prevent strokes in people who have heart disease.
It is all of these components that make lecithin such a healthy part of the human body. However, much like anything else, taking too many lecithin supplements can lead to harm, so always follow dosing instructions.
While supplement companies sell lecithin as a way to lose weight faster due to increased fat rejection in the body due to the lecithin, there is no scientific evidence to support these types of claims.
However, there is some evidence that taking lecithin will lower cholesterol levels, benefit the health of your heart, improve brain function, protect the liver and even restore damaged liver. It appears that lecithin prevents the body from absorbing cholesterol, which is very beneficial for the heart.
Quite possibly some of the speculation about the benefits of lecithin for helping the body lose fat fast comes from the fact that in studies lecithin actually aided in removing fat deposits around the heart. Whether this will translate into a benefit for the rest of the body is currently unknown.
Many doctors prescribe lecithin to men and women in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Unfortunately there is no evidence that lecithin can benefit those people in advanced stages of Alzheimer’s but there seems to be a clear benefit for those in early stages.
Taking too much lecithin can lead to several side effects that include:
You should not take lecithin products if you are taking medication to lower your blood pressure. If you have any heart condition for which you take medication, you should speak to your doctor before taking lecithin.
In addition, it is always wise to discuss taking lecithin with your doctor if you are taking any medication for any condition, if you have a medical condition, if you are nursing or if you are pregnant.
The good news is that most people can get all of the lecithin they need from daily nutrition, although certain animal brains carry the highest levels of lecithin. If you are a vegetarian, however, it is very likely that you have a lecithin deficiency as typically the most lecithin comes from animal proteins.
The dosing for lecithin will vary depending on your height and body weight as well as your gender. However, you will find the most commonly recommended amount of lecithin each day is 22.5 grams. In terms of supplements, if you were taking capsules, that would be about 24 capsules a day.
Most people who take lecithin find that although capsules are convenient, taking 24 a day gets very expensive. What’s more, most people would be unable to take that many pills without feeling sick anyway.
The other options for taking lecithin include liquid and granules. For the record, lecithin does not taste good. Even products that include flavoring taste pretty terrible. As such, people who take the liquid (which would typically need 2 teaspoons a day versus the 24 capsules) find that they need to use other things like sugar, milk, etc. to cut the taste.
The other alternative is using granules. Granules are added to a liquid of your choice and are then drunk. The downside is that the granules do not dissolve, which leads most people who use them to gulp down their drink in one gulp to avoid tasting the granules themselves.
Lecithin can cost as low as $3 for 50 capsules to about $40 for 90 tablets. A ten pound bag of granules is fairly inexpensive at around $40 as well.
Before you purchase any lecithin products, you need to determine whether or not you want to purchase lecithin alone, or if you want a product that offers a combination of benefits because it is combined with other supplements. If you choose this route you can expect to pay more for your product. Compare lecithin supplement options by using the supplement finder now!
| Bad Breath |
| Body Odor |
| Diarrhea |
| Headaches |
| Rashes |
| Stomach Pain |
| Vomiting |
| Weight Gain |
| Egg Lecithin, Lécithine, Lecitina, Ovolecithin, Soy Lecithin, Soy Phospholipid, Soy Phospholipids, Soya Lecithin, Soybean Lecithin, Vegilecithin, Vitellin |
| Alzheimer's |
| Brain Function |
| Cell Health |
| Digestion |
| Heart Health |
| Liver Health |
| Lose Weight |
| Lowering Cholesterol |
| Lower Triglycerides |
| Prevent Strokes |
| Reduce Risk Of Heart Attack |
| Regulate Irregular Heart Rate |