Lecithin, also known as phosphatidylcholine (PC), is an essential component of human cell membranes and an important dietary source of choline. PC and choline are important for a healthy brain, heart, skeletal muscle, liver and metabolism. Here is some information you might want to know about lecithin.
Beneficial For Dementia and Cognitive Impairment
Choline, a component of phosphatidylcholine, plays a role in brain development and may improve memory. According to a review, evidence from randomized trials (associated with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and subjective memory problems) does not support the use of lecithin for the treatment of people with dementia, but in subjects with subjective memory problems significant results were obtained in the trial in favor of lecithin.[1]
Reduce Cholesterol
A diet rich in lecithin can alter cholesterol homeostasis and hepatic lipoprotein metabolism. A study assessed total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein after administration of soy lecithin in hypercholesterolemic patients. The results showed that after 1 month and 2 months of treatment, total cholesterol decreased by 40.66% and 42.00%, and LDL cholesterol decreased by 42.05% and 56.15%. [2]
Relieve Female Menopause Symptoms
A study (8-week period in 86 women aged 40 to 60 years) found that supplementation with high-dose soy lecithin improved vitality scores (as measured by the abbreviated version of the Mood State Scale POMS Brief), diastolic blood pressure, and cardio-ankle vascular index. This means that lecithin may have a positive effect on improving some women's menopausal symptoms, such as fatigue. [3]
Improve Immune Function
Supplementation with soy lecithin might boost immune function, especially in people with diabetes. Macrophages are white blood cells that engulf debris, microorganisms, cancer cells, and other foreign substances in the body. The results of one study showed that soy lecithin supplementation significantly increased macrophage phagocytosis (+29%) in non-diabetic rats and lymphocyte numbers in diabetic rats (+92%). [4]
Good For Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of mania or depression, usually occurring in adolescence or early adulthood. A case-control study of a boy with mild-to-moderate mania who carried the DGKH gene showed that phosphatidylcholine supplementation in addition to drug therapy relieved symptoms of hypomania and insomnia. [5]
Precautions
- May induce allergic reactions (allergies to soybeans, rapeseed, eggs or sunflower seeds).
- The lecithin metabolite, choline, is converted in the gut to trimethylamine oxide (TMAO), and higher TMAO levels are associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events.
- Do not combine with anticholinergic drugs, which may affect the effectiveness of the drug.
- Do not use in combination with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, which may increase drug side effects.
- Do not use medicines for glaucoma and xerosis.
- Before taking lecithin supplements, it is best to seek the advice of a professional doctor.
References- Julian PT Higgins. (2000). "Lecithin for dementia and cognitive impairment," Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 4, CD001015.
- Amouni Mohamed Mourad. (2010). "Influence of Soy Lecithin Administration on Hypercholesterolemia," Cholesterol 2010, Article ID 824813.
- Asuka Hirose. (2018). "Effect of soy lecithin on fatigue and menopausal symptoms in middle-aged women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study," Nutrition Journal 17, 4.
- Dalva T S Z Miranda. (2008). "Soy lecithin supplementation alters macrophage phagocytosis and lymphocyte response to concanavalin A: a study in alloxan-induced diabetic rats," Cell Biochem Funct. 26(8), 859-65.
- Shitao Rao. (2015). "Beneficial effect of phosphatidylcholine supplementation in alleviation of hypomania and insomnia in a Chinese bipolar hypomanic boy and a possible explanation to the effect at the genetic level," Springer Plus 4, 235.
※ These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug
Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any
disease.
