| Used for decades as a treatment for high | | | | PI for brevity, is not purely a phospholipid. The |
| cholesterol, lecithin granules contain all the | | | | substance contains an alcohol, inositol, with a ring |
| phosphatides that are found naturally in cell | | | | structure, which acts as a substrate for a large |
| membranes. Which phosphatides? The important | | | | number of enzymes involved in cell signaling - the |
| ones. Each tablespoon of lecithin granules - that is, | | | | process by which a cell converts one kind of |
| about 7.5 grams - has about 1700 mg of | | | | signal or stimulus to another, such as when your |
| phosphatidyl choline (roughly 98%, more than | | | | stomach tells you brain that you are already full, |
| most lecithin sold in pill form or powdered), 1000 | | | | or when the epidermis of your hand signals your |
| mg of phosphatidyl inositol, and about 2,200 mg | | | | brain that the pan is hot when you try to touch it. |
| of essential fatty acids such as linoleic acid. All | | | | The biochemical process of cell signaling is |
| these compound elements have functions that | | | | essential because without it, you would have no |
| could contribute to the health of our body. | | | | idea how to react to danger. You wouldn't know |
| Now, to discuss each one of them. | | | | for instance that there is a fire somewhere when |
| Phosphatidyl Choline (PC) | | | | you smell smoke and hence, won't be able to |
| We start first with phosphatidyl Choline, which | | | | take any precautions to avoid getting in harm's |
| many will tell you, is perhaps the most important | | | | way. |
| compound that can be found in lecithin granules, | | | | Besides playing a significant role in cell signaling, PI |
| and no wonder, considering how PC is the active | | | | in lecithin granules also generally aids in maintaining |
| ingredient in lecithin. | | | | the integrity of the cell structure, sharing much of |
| The main function of PC in lecithin granules is to | | | | PC's functions. |
| break down fat deposits in the body. In fact, | | | | Linoleic Acid (LA) |
| when you see lecithin granules sold in counters as | | | | Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid of the |
| an aid to weight loss, you know that the | | | | omega-6 family that is important to human health. |
| ingredient responsible is PC. Because of this | | | | It is found in cooking oils and processed foods as |
| wonderful function of PC, lecithin granules are | | | | well as LA-containing supplements like lecithin |
| valuable not only in weight loss programs but also | | | | granules. Once LA in lecithin granules enters the |
| in the prevention of atherosclerosis and heart | | | | body, it is converted to GLA or gamma-linoleic |
| disease. | | | | acid, another omega-6 fatty acid that is needed |
| When PC enters the body, it is immediately | | | | for normal brain function, growth and |
| broken down into choline, a substance that | | | | development, bone health, stimulation of skin and |
| scientists have discovered as an essential nutrient, | | | | hair growth, regulation of metabolism, and |
| which means that we can't live without it. To | | | | maintenance of reproductive processes. |
| prove this, several studies have shown that within | | | | According to PowerPak, "The omega 6 LA |
| 30 days of a choline deficient diet, indications of | | | | comprises 7% to 9% of our daily caloric intake, |
| liver problems will manifest. | | | | while the omega 3 LNA makes up about 0.7% of |
| Phosphatidyl Inositol (PI) | | | | energy. It is therefore estimated that the dietary |
| Unlike phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl inositol, or | | | | ration of LA to LNA ranges from 10 to 20:1. |