Lecithin consists of various saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, 20% choline and inositol, phosphorous, calcium, magnecium, potassium and copper. It is an emulsifier; that is it can bind both water and fatty substances.
The food industry uses the emulsifying abilities of lecithin to mix water and fat by using it as an additive to a large extent. However, lecithin will lose its biological abilities when heated.
We normally produce lecithin in the liver, and all of our cells contain lecithin. Breast milk contains large concentrations of lecithin. Our brain consists of about 30% lecithin and the liver contains up to 70% lecithin. A low concentration of lecithin in the bile can in some people result in gall stone.
Can be very usefull in the treatment of individuals with dammage to the brain and nervous systems. This goes for physical injuries caused by trauma or surgery as well as nerve dammage caused by toxic agents. When exposed to stress, the body produces large amounts of lecithin. A supply of lecithin can relieve stress symptoms.
A lecithin supplement may be particularly usefull in treatment of sclerosis, parkinsons disease, dementia, AIDS, and cholesterol problems. Many elderly people benefit from a supply of lecithin since it improves their immune defence by increasing the amount of white blood cells (lymphocytes) and delaying ageing processes everywhere in the body.
Lecithin is a natural part of animal byproducts such as liver and egg yolk, and large concentrations are found in vegetables as soy and peanuts.
As a dietary supplement it is available as a granulate and as capsules. The quality varies from product to product. Supplements with lecithin are best when taken along with vitamin B-supplements, magnesium, and zinc. Long supplementation of lecithin can increase the body's demand for calcium.
Lecithin is non-toxic even in large doses, but it can cause nausea and diarrhoea.
