Lecithin is a type of photo lipid that naturally occurs in various plants, including soybeans and sunflowers. Its popularity has increased due to its benefits and moisturizing, emulsifying, and stabilizing properties.
Lecithin supplements are dietary supplements taken for health reasons and overall well-being. They may be in the form of powder, granules, soft gels, and capsules. If you’ve heard about lecithin supplements but need help understanding their benefits, this article will help you. Let’s get into it.
Benefits of Lecithin Supplements
Lecithin supplements have various benefits that make them beneficial when used in different products. The benefits include:
Lowering Cholesterol Levels
The most common use of lecithin supplements is the ability to lower cholesterol levels. Research shows lecithin lowers LDL bad cholesterol and raises HDL (good) cholesterol in blood profiles. The study involved an individual who took 500 milligrams of soy lecithin daily for two months, after which the total cholesterol level dropped to 42% and LDL level reduced by 56.15%.
Also, lecithin helps in the production of bile in the liver. The increase in bile enhances the body’s ability to process fat and remove excess fat from the bloodstream. Bile helps in the absorption and digestion of fat.
Improved Cognitive Function
Lecithin contains choline, a chemical that plays a role in brain communication, improvement of memory, and brain development. According to research performed on infant rats, they showed memory enhancement due to the changes in their brain’s memory centers. The effect of the choline on the rat’s brain was so significant that the researchers could identify it until the rats were old.
As a result of this effect of choline on the brain, lecithin is a proposed cure for neurological disorders, diverse forms of dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. According to research on the effect of lecithin on Parkinson’s dementia, memory loss, and Alzheimer, there were positive results after lecithin intake.
According to another research, lecithin equals 40 milligrams of tacrine, an enzyme used to treat Alzheimer’s.
Aids in Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can be difficult and painful for lactating mothers when the ducts are clogged. This is because the flow of breast milk is hindered. To prevent this, the Canadian Breastfeeding Foundation recommends 1200mg of lecithin four times daily for mothers with recurrent blocked ducts to avoid it.
Fatty milk can contribute to blockages and fat deposits in the ducts. Lecithin helps emulsify the fat in the breast, thus preventing duct blockage.
Clogged ducts can also cause mastitis, which is the inflammation of the breast tissue. It affects an average of 10% of breastfeeding mothers in America. According to different studies, lecithin may prevent or treat mastitis. One study recommends 1600 mg of lecithin to help treat mastitis.
It helps Improve Skin Condition
Cosmetics with lecithin supplements are a good option if you need healthy, moisturized, youthful-looking skin. Lecithin contains phosphatidylcholine, which helps in cell membrane building. The cell membrane is essential for maintaining the function of the skin. When the cell membrane is well-built, it leads to healthy skin.
Lecithin also has emollient properties, which include moisturizing and soothing dry and irritated skin. As a result, it may benefit people with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Lecithin also promotes skin condition by increasing the production of collagen, which helps maintain the structure and elasticity of the skin. As you age, the body is prone to produce less collagen, which leads to wrinkling and sagging. Lecithin intake helps in restoring youthful skin by enhancing the production of collagen.
Enhances the Immune System
Lecithin has phospholipids which are important in the communication between cells. It also contains choline, a nutrient essential for the production of acetylcholine. This nutrient is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in immune function.
According to research, soybean lecithin increases the production of natural killer cells, which help fight infections and cancer. Another study’s findings suggest that lecithin supplements increase cytokine production, which signals molecules that aid in immune functions.
Lecithin also improves other immune cells’ activity, including T and B cells. These cells are involved in the body’s response to pathogens and the production of antibodies.
Better Digestion
Lecithin supplements enhance digestion by emulsifying fats. Emulsification is breaking down large fat molecules into smaller ones for easier digestion. Mixing with food molecules in the digestive tract is easier when the fat is broken down. This helps increase the surface area, allowing enzymes to break food more efficiently.
Lecithin acts as a therapeutic agent. It creates a hydrophobic barrier that prevents the occurrence of ulcerative colitis. According to research, lecithin accounts for 70 % of phospholipids in the intestinal mucus layer.
Improves Liver Health
Lecithin contains phosphatidylcholine, which helps prevent fat accumulation in the liver, leading to a condition called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). By keeping the liver cells healthy and functioning properly, lecithin may also help to reduce the risk of liver inflammation and damage.
Lecithin may also help to improve the liver’s ability to process and eliminate toxins from the body. This is because phosphatidylcholine is a precursor of bile, produced by the liver, and helps remove waste products from the body. By supporting healthy bile production and flow, lecithin prevents liver damage caused by toxins and other harmful substances.
According to research, lecithin has antioxidant properties that help protect the liver from oxidative stress. This is when free radicals, which are harmful moles, damage the body cells. The effects of free radicals can cause inflammation and other problems in the liver. Lecithin plays the role of neutralizing the free radicals hence improving the liver’s overall health.
Get Lecithin Supplements
As we’ve seen, lecithin supplements have different benefits that can promote well-being. You could have your dose if you didn’t know about it or just needed confirmation. However, consult your physician if you have underlying medical conditions.
When you want to buy lecithin supplements, National Lecithin should be your destination. We have a wide range of quality lecithin products. We have what you need for your products’ nutrition and consistency. For more information, fill out our contact form or call National Lecithin at 973-940-8920 to place your order.