Found in all cells, lecithin is a fatty acid that prevents cell membranes from hardening. It is most prominent in the brain, heart, liver, and kidneys. The word lecithin is a technical term referring to phosphatidylcholine (PC), a natural choline-containing compound. Phosphatidylserine is another lecithin derivative and is found in soy lecithin.
Lecithin is composed primarily of choline and inositol, which are necessary for the breakdown of fats and cholesterol. Once the body breaks down lecithin or its two derivatives, its choline component is then converted into acetylcholine, a necessary compound for neurotransmissions governing actions such as memory, mood, and muscle control. Also used in some processed foods as an emulsifier, lecithin keeps oil and water from separating out, retards rancidity, reduces spattering in a frying pan, and makes for fluffier cakes.
Lecithin may prevent cholesterol buildup in the arteries and dissolve deposits already present. It is thought to reduce the risk of liver degeneration by aiding fat metabolism in the liver. Lecithin also facilitates the absorption of Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and thiamine in the intestine. It may prevent arterial congestion, help distribute body weight, and heighten immune resistance to viral infections. It is being investigated as a potential benefit for AIDS, herpes, and chronic Epstein Barr virus among other disorders.
Many people take lecithin for the choline content. Lecithin supplements will contain phosphatidylcholine, but generally the rule of thumb is that the lecithin/phosphatidylcholine/choline ratio is approximately 50:10:1. Choline supplementation is a popular method of lowering cholesterol in Europe. Primarily using the PC form, choline supplements increase the solubility of cholesterol, which decreases cholesterolÕs ability to induce atherosclerosis. PC also helps in lowering cholesterol levels, removing cholesterol from tissue deposits, and inhibiting platelet aggregation. (In Germany, PC is used as a treatment for several liver problems. In the United States, it is available only in health food stores as a dietary supplement.) A 1995 study found patients with high cholesterol and triglyceride levels to have a 33% decrease in triglyceride levels and a 46% increase in HDL cholesterol after one month of PC supplementation.
The use of PC for treating liver damage has been thoroughly researched. Over 100 studies have been done on subjects with liver damage, many of them conducted double-blind. These tests were conducted at various stages of liver deterioration triggered by causes ranging from alcoholism to chronic liver viruses. Almost unanimously, researchers have concluded that as a dietary supplement, PC helps protect the liver against a variety of other toxic onslaughts besides alcohol and viruses, including pharmaceuticals, chlorinated hydrocarbons and radiation exposure.
Phosphatidylserine is the major phospholipid in the brain that plays a critical role in determining the integrity and fluidity of cell membranes. A deficiency of methyl donors like folic acid and Vitamin B-12, or essential fatty acids may prevent the brain from manufacturing sufficient levels of this lecithin derivative. Phosphatidylserine is primarily used in the treatment of depression and/or impaired mental function in the elderly. Phosphatidylserine is rarely recommended as a supplement because of its high cost. Instead one should take the nutrients the brain needs to manufacture phosphatidylserineÑessential fatty acids sources like flaxseed oil, folic acid, Vitamins B-12 and C, as well as Ginkgo biloba extract to help improve many symptoms associated with aging.
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