Lecithin, a lipid material
composed of choline and inositol, is found in all living cells as a major
component of cell membranes, which regulate the nutrients entering and exiting
the cell. The term "lecithin" has two definitions depending on what
group is using the term. Scientists define lecithin as synonymous with
phosphatidylcholine, the name for one of the principle phospholipids. On the
other hand, producers of lecithin for commercial use the term lecithin to refer
to a complex mix of phosphatides and other substances that contain
phosphatidylcholine.
Lecithin is promoted as a quick
fix for weight loss, as well as many other diseases and ailments. Lecithin
supplement producers claim that lecithin has a beneficial role in:
- Cardiovascular health
- Liver and cell function
- fat transport and fat metabolism
- reproduction and child development
- physical performance and muscle endurance
- cell communication
- improvement in memory, learning and reaction time
- relief of arthritis
- healthy hair and skin
- treatment for gallstones
Lecithin is a necessary component
of every cell in the human body.
Considered a keystone in the construction of
cells, lecithin prevents the hardening of cell membranes. Healthy cells lead to
a healthier body, and the membranes are a critical part in monitoring a cell's
intake and output. Protecting cells is integral in maintaining a body's
resistance to many diseases that attack damaged cells. Phospholipids such as
lecithin are produced in certain amounts throughout the major organs of the
body (such as the heart, liver and kidney) but can be supplemented to further
enhance unrealized benefits.
In addition to the cardiovascular
benefits of lecithin, there are indications that lecithin helps to restore
livers that have been damaged as well as working with neurological functions
such as memory to improve the brain's effectiveness. Since lecithin is
essentially composed of fat, it can act as a protective wall or sheath
throughout the body to protect and strengthen membranes and prevent detrimental
debris from sticking. Internal parts and mechanisms that may be affected
negatively by hardening, such as arteries, are kept malleable by lecithin in a
natural way through supplementation. Patients suffering from atherosclerosis
often start a regimen of lecithin in an effort to reverse the condition's
effects.
As a tool for heart health,
lecithin also works to reverse and prevent damages that may arise from coronary
artery disease. Preventing cholesterol and other fats from sticking is a vital
function for the overall health of anyone with a predisposition to heart
disease and other cardiovascular afflictions. The lubrication provided by
lecithin creates a slippery lining on which it is difficult for large, fatty
deposits to adhere. When large deposits of fat cannot adhere to specific
regions of the body, they are transported to the liver where they are
metabolized and converted to energy. Improved circulation seen as a result of
lecithin supplementation helps to prevent blood clots and maintain the health
of the liver through which excess fats and energy-providing substances will
pass. Lecithin is also believed to have positive effects in the repair of
livers damaged by any number of conditions, including excess consumption of
alcohol or other toxins.
Dandelion is one of the biggest
sources of lecithin and is found abandoned in nature.
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