Very little evidence suggests that taking lecithin supplements will help improve your cholesterol levels. And adding lecithin to your diet poses serious health risks, especially if you are allergic to soy or egg products. Before taking lecithin for any reason, understand the benefits and risks and, most important, talk to your doctor.
Lecithin Deficiency
Your body likely produces all of the lecithin you need -- most people do not need to take supplements. Lecithin deficiencies do occur, but they are uncommon. A diet to lower cholesterol usually restricts egg yolks and organ meats -- two major sources of dietary lecithin -- and this may reduce your lecithin levels, according to an article published in the June 2005 issue of "The Journal of Nutrition." After studying nearly 400 men, women and children, researchers found a positive correlation between a reduction in dietary cholesterol and a reduction in lecithin levels.
Limited Research
A few animal studies show a possible link between a lecithin-rich diet and lower cholesterol levels, but human studies prove both scarce and inconclusive, according to Dónal O'Mathúna, an herbal researcher and bioethicist who analyzed lecithin studies for a March 2009 article in "The Irish Times." A search of reliable sources found no mention of lecithin as a possible treatment for cholesterol.
Precautions
If you decide to take lecithin supplements, use caution. Lecithin products may contain egg yolk or soy extracts, so you should check labels carefully if you're allergic to either. Possible side effects of taking lecithin supplements include hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, throat or hands; and tightness in the chest. Tell your doctor if you're pregnant or breast-feeding when making safely inquiries about lecithin. Lecithin may interact with other over-the-counter vitamins and herbal products. If you take other supplements, do your homework before introducing lecithin to your diet.
Ways to Lower Cholesterol
Traditional treatment to improve cholesterol levels includes making changes to your diet and lifestyle and, if necessary, taking cholesterol-lowering medications such as statins. In April 2011, the American Heart Association released a scientific statement in which it asserted, based on analysis of more than 500 studies, that you can lower your triglycerides by 50 percent if you follow a low-fat, low-sugar diet and exercise moderately about 30 minutes most days of the week. You may also lower your low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol through similar modifications, but LDL, the "bad" cholesterol, sometimes proves difficult to control without medication.
References
- "The Irish Times"; Forget About Taking Lecithin for Your Memory; Dónal O'Mathúna; March 2009
- "The Journal of Nutrition"; Cholesterol Intake Is Associated with Lecithin Intake in Japanese People; M. Ishinaga, et al.; June 2005
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Lecithin
- American Heart Association; Dietary, Lifestyle Changes Can Significantly Reduce Triglycerides; April 2011
