Soy lecithin is a phospholipid contained in the soybean. Since phospholipids act as emulsifiers, soy lecithin is an attractive natural food additive in a wide range of products from chocolate to hot dogs. According to Vanderbilt University, normal dietary amounts of soy lecithin are not harmful, but too much may result in gastrointestinal problems. Soy lecithin supplements are also available, but research on soy lecithin is still in its early stages, mostly focusing on how groups with special dietary needs are affected. Some alternative medicine practitioners recommend soy lecithin for a variety of reasons, but always consult your doctor before starting a treatment regimen.
Diabetics
Diabetes has many long-term effects, including reduction in immune function. A study published in December 2008's "Cell Biochemistry and Function" found that soy lecithin supplementation improved new cell production in the lymph nodes of diabetic rats by 96 percent. Additionally, metabolism in lymphatic cells increased by 29 percent. The question mark with diabetics supplementing soy lecithin was how the phospholipid would affect fat metabolism, but this study noted no ill effects on cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
Stress and Mood Disorders
Currently, there are many researchers studying the effects of diet on mental health. In 2004, researchers in a study published in "Stress," examined different dosage levels of soy lecithin supplements and their effects on social anxiety. Peak benefits were seen with a 400 mg. dose, where subjects showed lower levels of stress hormones in the blood and saliva and reported fewer feelings of anxiety. Larger doses of soy lecithin did not produce these benefits.
Liver Disease
Liver problems severely limit a person's diet and many foods contribute to liver damage, but soy lecithin may be beneficial to those with liver disease. To test what effects different types of foods had, rats with a hereditary liver disease were split into four different dietary groups in a "Pediatric Research" study in 2007. One group was fed a diet with added soy lecithin, and it was the only group which showed improvement in the liver. These researchers concluded that soy lecithin could be beneficial to children with hereditary liver disease.
Postmenopausal Women
The benefits of soy for postmenopausal women have been highly touted because of the estrogenic effect soy proteins have shown. A study published by "Menopause" in 2007 confirms that soy lecithin does have protective effects on cholesterol and blood lipid levels. However, changes were not seen in the arterial walls. Since soy lecithin has estrogenic properties, it would not be recommended for women with breast cancer, as estrogen can speed the growth of cancer cells.
References
- Vanderbilt University: Lecithin Supplement
- "Cell Biochemistry and Function"; Soy Lecithin Supplementation Alters Macrophage Phagocytosis and Lymphocyte Response to Concanavalin A: A Study in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats; D.T. Miranda, et al.; December 26, 2008
- "Stress"; Effects of Soy Lecithin Phosphatidic Acid and Phosphatidylserine Complex (PAS) on the Endocrine and Psychological Responses to Mental Stress; J. Hellhammer, et al.; June 2004
- "Pedatric Research"; Dietary Lecithin Protects Against Cholestatic Liver Disease in Cholic Acid-Fed Abcb4- Deficient Mice; T. Lamireau, et al.; February 2007
- "Menopause"; Effect of Soy Isoflavone Protein and Soy Lecithin on Endothelial Function in Healthy Postmenopausal Women; M. Evans, et al.; January-February 2007
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