Lecithin - Why is it Important?

Made up of a mixture of glycolipids, triglycerides, and phospholipids, lecithin is an important part of the mucus layer in the large intestine, protecting it from colonic bacteria. As an integral part of cell membranes to keep them from hardening, it can be metabolized and is non-toxic.

Lecithin can be extracted from egg yolk, soy beans or soy bean oil, and sunflower oil. Egg yolk is not often used as a source of the supplement, however, because it can significantly raise the overall cholesterol content of the food it is used in if it is not purified. But lecithin taken from soya or sunflower is often used as a way to lower moderately elevated blood cholesterol levels.

Normal daily intake of lecithin can be found in numerous foods, such as cabbage, cauliflower, chickpeas, green beans, lentils, corn, split peas, eggs, brewer’s yeast, grains, legumes, fish, and wheat germ. Some amounts can also be found amongst additives in ice cream, margarine, mayonnaise, and chocolate.

There are numerous medicinal purposes for lecithin, including being prescribed by doctors to relieve symptoms of liver disease. It has also been known to remedy fevers, fidgeting, headaches, and chest fullness, predominantly in Asian cultures. In addition, lecithin taken from soy beans contains estrogen-like compounds that may ease the symptoms of menopause and reduce the risk of some tumors such as in breast cancer cases, though studies are still being conducted to verify such claims.

In some cases, soy lecithin can cause mild digestive upset that includes symptoms like stomach pain and diarrhea. However, there are no medical conditions that can be worsened by taking lecithin, and no drug interactions have been reported in studies.

As a supplement, lecithin is composed primarily of B vitamins, phosphoric acid, choline, and several other non-toxic ingredients. Many take it as a non-prescribed supplement to support the circulatory system, protect against cardiovascular disease, improve brain function, and emulsify fat in the body. Taking one 1200-milligram capsule before each meal can help dissolve fat and digest vitamins like A, E, and D.