Lecithin

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Lecithin General use

Lecithin acts as an emulsifier and helps the body in the absorption of fats. A 1999 study indicates that soy lecithin improves the metabolism of cholesterol in the digestive system. Therefore, lecithin has been touted as a treatment for high cholesterol.

It has also been said to be a treatment for neurologic and liver disorders. Promoters claim that supplemental lecithin can be used to help lower cholesterol and deter memory loss. Some proponents of lecithin warn that the low fat and low cholesterol diets that many Americans follow may lower the amount of lecithin that we consume, creating a deficit and necessitating supplemental lecithin.

As Americans eat fewer eggs, meats, and dairy products, the amount of choline that they consume may be less than required. Choline is the key element in lecithin that researchers believe may have a beneficial effect on cholesterol and memory.

Lecithin has been identified as a possible resource for lowering blood cholesterol because of its reputation as a source of polyunsaturated fats. In addition, choline helps the liver metabolize fat and form lipoproteins. However, there is still scanty evidence to support the use of lecithin in lowering cholesterol.

Researchers in some studies have found a drop in cholesterol levels, while others have found no drop in cholesterol levels at all. A group of researchers from the Netherlands summarized findings in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that found that many studies of the effects of lecithin had faulty methods, and the few good studies proved that lecithin was not effective in lowering cholesterol.

More recently, a group of American researchers solved part of the mystery concerning the fact that eggs, which are packed with cholesterol, don't impact people's cholesterol much if eaten in moderation. The reason seems to be the lecithin found in eggs that reduces cholesterol's absorption in the bloodstream.

Lecithin is also considered to be of possible benefit to brain function, and supporters claim that it may help prevent Alzheimer's disease. Promoters indicate that the choline in lecithin may have the ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and impact the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that facilitates brain function.

They claim that long-term use of lecithin as a dietary supplement could help minimize memory loss. However, studies on the use of lecithin for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease have found that it has no marked benefit.

A Cure For Fatty Liver-Lecithin

In today’s modern world, more and more children are obese. There are a lot of factors that brought these children into this body state.

The main culprit of this is their diet, which mainly consists of hydrogenated and processed fats like fried foods and super starchy ones.

This obesity may cause childhood diabetes, heart conditions, and sky high cholesterol numbers, and other health problems. As childhood obesity continues to be a major concern, these problems are alarming, and should be given serious consideration.

A medical issue is now emerging which could pose a more severe concern, the Fatty Liver Syndrome.

What is Fatty Liver Syndrome?

When doctors talk to you about NASH, which stands for Non-Alcoholic Steatorrhoeic Heptoses, or Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), don’t be put off by these big terms. It is the same thing as fatty liver syndrome, which means that your liver is being invaded with exorbitant amounts of fat.

While fatty liver, or NASH, is very common in overweight persons over the age of 30, the syndrome has also been said to occur frequently among children in pre-pubescent years and above. As the name itself suggests, a fatty liver contains an excessive amount of fat. Because of this, normal healthy liver tissue is partly replaced with areas of unhealthy fat.

This in turn causes the liver to become slightly enlarged and heavier, and gives it a yellow greasy appearance. The liver is responsible for removing the toxins, dead cells, microorganisms, and fat from the blood stream. However, if you have fatty liver, instead of straining the blood of all harmful elements, it cannot do that anymore. This causes the blood stream to become overloaded with toxins and fat.

The Role of Lecithin in the Liver

Lecithin is a Phospholipid that is found in every single living cell. It is composed mainly of three types of Phospholipids: PhosphatidylCholine (PC), Phosphatidylinositol (PI), and Phosphatidylethanol (PE). As a major component of the cell membrane, Lecithin acts as an emulsifier, keeping the essential fatty acids apart from other molecules within the cell.

This role of Lecithin is very important since fatty acids are so delicate that, when exposed to oxidation, they may become rancid, causing harm to the body. Lecithin is also present in bile, where it does what it always does – keeping fatty substances. Bile is a substance essential to digestion and produced by the liver to be stored in the gallbladder.

When lecithin is doing all it should in the bile, it eases digestion and helps your body absorb nutrients better. One component of Lecithin, Choline is an essential nutrient, just as fatty acids are. The body must depend on the foods that we eat in order to get adequate supply of Choline. The role of Choline in the body may be the key to overcoming fatty liver syndrome.

Scientists have found that Choline is essential for helping to turn fat into energy within the liver. By taking in more Choline, either as a stand-alone Choline supplement, or allow your own body to synthesize Lecithin supplement to Choline, you could help reverse the damage caused by Fatty Liver Syndrome.

Children should be healthy and strong, not obese and sickly. As we know, being overweight can cause a lot of damage to our health. You cannot just look at your child as he is gaining weight and do nothing. Parents play a vital role in ensuring that their kids eat only healthy foods and have enough exercises to avoid the consequences brought about by obesity such as the Fatty Liver Syndrome.

What happens if I miss a dose?/ I overdose?

No information is available regarding a missed dose of lecithin. Consult your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider if you require further information.

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a lecithin overdose are not known.

How should I take lecithin?

Do not take more of this product than is directed.

Do not use different formulations (e.g., tablets, liquid, and others) of lecithin at the same time,unless specifically directed to do so by a health care professional. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose of lecithin.

Store lecithin as directed on the package. In general, lecithin should be protected from light and moisture.

Who should not take lecithin?

Talk to your doctor before taking lecithin if you have any other medical conditions, allergies, or if you take other medicines or herbal/health supplements. Lecithin may not be recommended in some situations.

Do not take lecithin without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant. Lecithin is generally not recommended for use during pregnancy.
Do not take lecithin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

There is no information available regarding the use of lecithin by children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.

What is a lecithin?

The use of lecithin in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable.

Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.

Lecithin is also known as lecithol, vitellin, kelecin, and granulestin. Lecithin is a naturally occurring substance found in beef liver, steak, eggs, peanuts, cauliflower, and oranges. Commercial lecithin products usually come from soybeans, egg yolk, or brain tissue.

Lecithin has been used in the treatment and/or prevention of high cholesterol levels, neurologic disorders, and liver ailments.

Lecithin has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of lecithin may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds.

There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Lecithin may also have uses other than those listed in this product guide.

What is the most important information I should know about lecithin?

Lecithin has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of lecithin may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.