| Depending on whom you're talking to, the word | | | | lecithin. In order to make up for the lecithin lost |
| "lecithin" could mean two things. On the one hand, | | | | through reduction of egg consumption, organ |
| it refers to a whole class of natural fat and water | | | | meats, and red meats, health lecithin supplements |
| soluble compounds, more commonly known as | | | | are taken. |
| phospholipids, sold commercially as powerful | | | | Why is it Good? |
| emulsifiers. On the other hand, scientists often use | | | | As a phospholipid, lecithin is both phosphorus and |
| the term as a synonym for phosphatidylcholine | | | | fats (lipids). As such, it is an excellent source of |
| (PC), a phospholipid component found in every | | | | essential fatty acids, which are a part of each |
| living cell of the body, whether that body is plant | | | | molecule. Because phospholipids are both fat loving |
| or animal in origin. | | | | (lipophilic) and water loving (hydrophilic), lecithin |
| Scientists say that the health lecithin functions | | | | helps protect the cell's essential fatty acids, which |
| encompass everything that pertains to life, e.g., | | | | are polyunsaturated and extremely vulnerable to |
| breathing, metabolism, energy production and | | | | oxidation. By taking in health lecithin supplements, |
| transport, and nerve function. Many studies have | | | | especially in the form of granules, we can help |
| shown the health lecithin benefits include the | | | | protect the essential fatty acids in our bodies, |
| following: | | | | keeping them from turning rancid and start |
| - Improve memory | | | | harming other healthy cells. |
| - Normalize reproductive health | | | | Another health lecithin benefit is its role as one of |
| - Lower risks of cancer | | | | the special chemicals that easily crosses the |
| - Increase physical performance | | | | blood-brain barrier. Not only is lecithin permeability |
| - And enhance liver and heart health. | | | | necessary for the metabolic processes that are |
| However, these health lecithin benefits are but the | | | | occurring in all cells but also, it provides for the |
| tip of the iceberg. As more and more researchers | | | | constant regeneration of the phospholipid-rich |
| are focusing much of their time and energy on | | | | membranes of the brain. |
| investigating the compound, more and more of | | | | The component of lecithin, choline, is vital for the |
| the health lecithin benefits may be uncovered. | | | | biosynthesis of the important neurotransmitter |
| Where Lecithin Comes From | | | | acetylcholine. When acetylcholine malfunctions, it |
| Lecithin is found in many of the foods we have | | | | could lead to a variety of symptoms, including: |
| for our daily diet. However, if you want foods | | | | Huntington's chorea, Friedreich's ataxia, Tardive |
| that are rich in lecithin, then turn no further from | | | | dyskinesia (Dystone's syndrome), Alzheimer's |
| those same foods that are high in cholesterol and | | | | disease, and Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome. |
| fats. The most concentrated sources of dietary | | | | Interestingly enough, when treating these |
| lecithin are organ meats, red meats, and eggs, | | | | diseases, it has been found that dietary health |
| which is where lecithin got its name by the way - | | | | lecithin is more effective than choline alone, that |
| lekithos, Greek for "egg yolk." But with today's | | | | de-oiled lecithin is more effective than crude |
| current trend in low-fat, low-calorie diet, many | | | | lecithin, and that improvement in the general |
| have turned away from lecithin-rich foods. This | | | | health was observed (greater attentiveness, |
| reduction may likely result in an inadequate dietary | | | | quicker reactions, and better orientation). |
| intake of lecithin and choline, a component of | | | | |