Soy lecithin, also called soya lecithin, is a lecithin product extracted from soybeans. Lecithin specifically is a mixture of phospholipids, which are parts of cell membranes. Although a common lecithin product is soy lecithin, lecithin doesn't have to come from soy. Lecithin also comes from eggs, wheat germ, oatmeal and peanuts. Despite lecithin being available in foods, you might wish to purchase and supplement with soy lecithin in soft gel capsules, or in bulk, in granules, because of its potential health benefits. You should always consult with your doctor before deciding to take soy lecithin or any supplement.
Cognitive Support
Lecithin contains phosphatidyl choline, which might be beneficial for the human brain. Other foods contain this same choline, such as fish, liver, nuts, eggs, meat, cow milk and human milk. The choline in lecithin and these foods is a precursor for the form of acetyl choline, which is useful for the brain. Researchers from the Duke University Medical Center discovered that offspring of pregnant rats supplemented with choline had larger hippocampal neurons, extra dendrites and neurons that fired more rapidly. More research is needed on choline's effects on dementia. While researchers at the University of the Ryukyus discovered phosphatidyl choline improves memory in mice with dementia, the Institute of Public Health in the United Kingdom concluded lecithin had little success with dementia in human patients.
Cholesterol Reduction
Lowered cholesterol is another potential benefit of soy lecithin. Reduced cholesterol can lead to better arteries and overall cardiovascular health. In 1996, a study in the British Journal of Nutrition concluded that soy lecithin decreased cholesterol in rats because it increased biliary lipid secretion.
Liver Support
Several parts of the body, such as the liver, reproductive tract and muscles, have phospholipids, as lecithin does. Because of this, you may want to choose to supplement with lecithin for better liver performance. According to the study in the British Journal of Nutrition on cholesterol reduction, the increased biliary lipid secretion was due to the liver doing a better job from the supplemented lecithin.
Reproductive Health
If you are a male, you may decide to take soy lecithin as a way to increase ejaculate volume, because semen contains phospholipids. While a study by Dr. Jorge Chavarro in the publication Human Reproduction claimed soy products actually reduced sperm count, the Soyfoods Association of North America says the research was poor. Although the anecdotal evidence on humans is overwhelming, you might choose to take soy lecithin after more scientific studies are completed.
References
- Duke University Health System: Prenatal Choline Supplements Make Brain Cells Larger, Faster
- The Journal of Nutrition: Administration of phosphatidylcholine increases brain acetylcholine concentration and improves memory in mice with dementia
- Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: Lecithin for dementia and cognitive impairment
- British Journal of Nutrition: Cholesterol-lowering effect of soyabean lecithin in normolipidaemic rats by stimulation of biliary lipid secretion
- Soyfoods Association of North America: Soyfoods Do Not Impact Sperm Count
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