Lecithin is an important component of VLDL (very low density lipoproteins) that helps to transport fats around the body from the liver. Lecithin can be found native in a number of different foods such as eggs, dairy products, and meats, but the primary source for lecithin that is used today comes from soybean. Lecithin is an essential fatty substance that also protects cell membranes from hardening. High concentrations of lecithin are found in the brain and prostate gland. Lecithin is largely composed of choline, plus linoleic acid and inositol. Lecithin acts as an emulsifying agent, enabling fats and other lipids to be dispersed in water. Phosphatidyl choline (a different kind of lecithin) is a powerful fat-emulsifying compound. It solubilizes fats and cholesterol in the bloodstream and solubilizes dietary fats in the intestinal mucosa. It maintains the structural integrity of cell membranes. Lecithin is also a source of choline, a B vitamin with powerful lipotropic activity. Choline is utilized by virtually every cell for synthesis of various phospholipids, proteins, and the neurotransmitter-acetylcholine. TRADITIONAL USES OF LECITHIN SUPPLEMENT Administration of choline or lecithin raises plasma and brain choline and acetylcholine levels. As discussed before, people take lecithin supplement mainly for proper liver function and fat utilization. It is also believed that oral choline and lecithin may help alleviate neurological motor disturbances, and restore cognition and memory. Oral administration of choline, lecithin or phosphatidylcholine may ameliorate symptoms of tardive dyskinesia and Alzheimer's disease. RESEARCH FINDINGS Cholesterol As early as 1966, Japanese researchers have already evaluated the cholesterol-lowering effect of iodine-lecithin. [2] Then in 1977, Simons LA et al showed use of oral lecithin to lower cholesterol in an open clinical trial. In 1/3 of healthy subjects and in 3/7 patients suffered from hypercholesterolaemia, lecithin therapy led to a significant fall in plasma cholesterol concentration (10-18% fall). [3] How does lecithin lower the cholesterol? In 1996, A French research group demonstrated that lecithin diet could lower the total and HDL-cholesterol level. They believed that the cholesterol-lowering effect of lecithin was related to hepatic microsomal pools of phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol. [4] Four years later, this research group demonstrated that the cholesterol-lowering mechanisms induced by dietary soybean lecithin in hypercholesterolemic rabbits at the hepato-biliary level in a study using rabbits. They also showed that the soybean phosphatidylcholine (lecithin) could actually lower cholesterol level by retarding the intestinal absorption of cholesterol in study of endothelial cells. [5, 6] Synergistic health benefits of lecithin on cholesterol level Wilson TA et al at University of Massachusetts Lowell demonstrated that soy lecithin enhanced the cholesterol-lowering effect of the American Heart Association Step I diet without reducing plasma HDL-C levels. [7] Gurevich VS et al, Cardiology Institute, S. Petersburg, Russia, found an improved effect on lipid-reducing action when lovastatin was combined with Lipostabil (lecithin) in the therapy. [8] Lecithin for Weight Loss Lecithin has shown benefits on lipid-lowering, control of triglyceride, stabilization of membrane functions and support of hepatic functions in a few studies.[1] Consequently, lecithin is promoted as a weight-loss agent. However, there is insufficient support for claim of using lecithin for weight loss. Furthermore, lecithin supplement carries calories. It gives calories to the users, when they take this supplement. It is not sure if it really help weight loss. ________________________________________________________________________________ LECITHIN SIDE EFFECTS Lecithin side effects have been reported in a few cases. Mostly, the lecithin side effects are arised from injections or over-ingestion. Oral lecithin is safe and lecithin supplements are well accepted, in general. LECITHIN SIDE EFFECT ARISED FROM INGESTION OF LARGE AMOUNT OF VEGETABLE OIL AND LECITHIN One cased was reported that a healthy man ingested a large amount of vegetable oil containing lecithin. He developed abdominal pain, early satiety, and significant weight loss, and required surgical removal of the mass. [9]. LECITHIN SIDE EFFECT ARISED FROM TREAMENT OF LOWER EYELID FAT PADS In a treatment of intraobital fat pad herniation, patients received 0.4 mL a lecithin-derived phospholipid injections. Improvement and lecithin side effects were observed. The lecithin side effects were burning, erythema, and swelling at the injection site. [10] LECITHIN SIDE EFFECT ARISED FROM TREAMENT OF SUBCUTANEOUS FAT DEPOSITS Volunteers received phosphatidylcholine (a lecithin-derived phospholipid) injections in several areas of localized fat deposits. The lecithin derivative was found to be effective in reducing the fatty pads, with few side effects. [11] HYBRID LIPOSOMES MADE OF LECITHIN DERIVED PHOSPHOLIPIDS Prolonged survival was observed in a cancer model of mice after the intraperitoneal treatment with hybrid liposomes composed of licithin derivatives. No abnormal findings in blood chemistry, organ weights nor other lecithin side effects were observed. [12] STUDY OF AMBULATORY HUMAN VOLUNTEERS Phospholipid (ie lecithin) feeding is safe, and can be effective as a vehicle for lecithin fatty acyl chain modulation of bile and lipid membranes in a study of 5 ambulatory volunteers having a chronic indwelling T-tube. [13] THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, PLEASE CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. ALL RIGHT RESERVED @ 2011 Zhion. DO NOT COPY AND TRANSFER TO OTHER WEBSITES OR OTHER TYPES OF PUBLICATIONS. [1] Ipatova OM et al, Biological effects of the soybean phospholipids, Biomed Khim. 2004 Sep-Oct;50(5):436-50. [2] On cholesterol-lowering agents. 1. On the cholesterol-lowering effectiveness of an organic iodine preparation (Jod-lecithin) Iryo. 1963 Apr;17:243-9. Japanese.][3] Treatment of hypercholesterolaemia with oral lecithin. Aust N Z J Med. 1977 Jun;7(3):262-6.][4] Polichetti E. et al, Cholesterol-lowering effect of soyabean lecithin in normolipidaemic rats by stimulation of biliary lipid secretion. Br J Nutr. 1996 Mar;75(3):471-8.] [5] Dietary polyenylphosphatidylcholine decreases cholesterolemia in hypercholesterolemic rabbits: role of the hepato-biliary axis. Life Sci. 2000 Oct 13;67(21):2563-76. [6] Dietary soybean phosphatidylcholines lower lipidemia: mechanisms at the levels of intestine, endothelial cell, and hepato-biliary axis. Dietary soybean phosphatidylcholines lower lipidemia: mechanisms at the levels of intestine, endothelial cell, and hepato-biliary axis. J Nutr Biochem. 2000 Sep;11(9):461-6.] [7] Soy lecithin reduces plasma lipoprotein cholesterol and early atherogenesis in hypercholesterolemic monkeys and hamsters: beyond linoleate. Atherosclerosis. 1998 Sep;140(1):147-53.][8] Evidence of combined therapy of dyslipoproteinemia by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and "essential" phospholipids. Clin Ter. 1993 Apr;142(4):329-34.][9] [Hsu HH et al, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, California, Gastric bezoar caused by lecithin: an unusual complication of health faddism. Am J Gastroenterol. 1992 Jun;87(6):794-6.][10] Ablon G et al, Treatment of lower eyelid fat pads using phosphatidylcholine (a lecithin derived phospholipid): clinical trial and review. Dermatol Surg. 2004 Mar;30(3):422-7; discussion 428,[11] Hexsel D et al, Phosphatidylcholline in the treatment of localized fat. J Drugs Dermatol. 2003 Oct;2(5):511-8.[12] Ichihara H et al, Chemotherapy with hybrid liposomes without any drug in vivo. Yakugaku Zasshi. 2003 Jan;123(1):25-34.[13] Pakula R et al, The effects of dietary phospholipids enriched with phosphatidylethanolamine on bile and red cell membrane lipids in humans. Lipids 1996 Mar;31(3):295-303. |