Lecithin is derived from the Greek word for “egg yolk” because the substance was first isolated from egg yolks in the mid-1800s. Lecithin, which is most often extracted from soybeans, is a fatty substance rich in choline, a chemical that impacts the function of your nerves. Too much supplemental lecithin can cause dizziness, although lecithin and choline are helpful natural remedies for the treatment of vertigo.
Lecithin
Lecithin is a general name for a fatty substance found in many animal and plant tissues, including eggs, soybeans and even your brain. Lecithin is rich in fatty acids, amino acids and choline. Soy-derived lecithin is a common food additive because it keeps ingredients from separating. Soy lecithin is also used as a health supplement because it may enhance the health of your brain, nerves and cardiovascular system, according to certified nutritionist Phyllis Balch in “Prescription for Nutritional Healing.” Lecithin is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for human consumption with the status “Generally Recognized as Safe.”
Potential Benefits
According to “Biochemical, Physiological and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition,” studies show soy lecithin has significant effects on lowering harmful LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, while increasing beneficial HDL cholesterol in your blood. Further, lecithin supplements may help prevent senile dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, gallstones, liver cirrhosis and skin psoriasis, as cited in “The New Healing Herbs.” In cosmetics, lecithin is used to soften skin and help pigments become absorbed by your epithelial cells.
Vertigo
Vertigo is a sensation of dizziness, faintness or lightheadedness and is related to your sense of balance and equilibrium. Vertigo gives the sensation that the room is spinning around you and occurs because your central nervous system receives conflicting messages from your inner ear, eyes, muscles or skin’s pressure receptors. Vertigo has many causes, but choline-rich lecithin is helpful when the cause is related to reduced oxygen to the brain or poor neurological function because choline prevents blockage of your arteries and it improves the efficiency by which nerve signals are transmitted. Choline is a precursor of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Lecithin is considered less toxic and a safer means of choline supplementation than choline itself, and it is well-absorbed by your body.
Side Effects
The use of soy lecithin can cause some side effects, mainly low blood pressure, which can result in dizziness and fainting especially when you try and stand up too quickly. According to “Biochemistry of Human Nutrition,” lecithin is considered fairly problem-free up to about 30 g daily, but beyond that amount, your risks of experiencing side effects increases.
References
- “Prescription for Nutritional Healing”; Phyllis Balch; 2010
- “Biochemical, Physiological and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition”; Martha Stipanuk; 2006
- “The New Healing Herbs”; Michael Castleman; 2010
- “Professional Guide to Diseases: Ninth Edition”; Springhouse Publishing; 2009
- “Biochemistry of Human Nutrition”; George Gropper; 2000
