Soy Lecithin & Plavix

Soy lecithin is a food additive and dietary supplement also used in medicine. As the name suggests, it is derived from soy. Plavix is a prescription medication used to limit blood clotting and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Soy lecithin also helps to lower the risk of vascular problems caused by high cholesterol, but its activity takes place in the liver and brain. Because side effects may occur, consult your physician before combining these agents.

About Soy Lecithin

Lecithin is a blanket term for a group of compounds called phosphatidylcholines, a class of yellowish fatty lipids and major components of cell membranes of all living things. Soy lecithin, which is expressed from soybeans, is sold as a dietary supplement and used as a food additive and emulsifying agent in cosmetics. Because of its surfactant properties, it is a common ingredient in non-stick cooking sprays.

Pharmacology of Lecithin

Lecithin is used to treat hypercholesterolemia, a condition characterized be elevated serum levels of cholesterol. A study published in the journal “Cholesterol” in 2010 reports that supplementation with soy lecithin lowered total blood cholesterol by 42 percent and LDL cholesterol by 56.15 percent after 60 days, although significant reductions were also seen after only 30 days. Lecithin may also enhance cognitive function and memory in people with dementia or other neurological disorders because its choline content increases the availability of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in several brain functions. According to a study published in the “Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition” in 2010, supplementation with soy lecithin for six months improved memory recall in elderly people with mild cognitive impairment.

About Plavix

Plavix is a brand name for clopidogrel, an anti-platelet drug used to help to prevent blood clots and reduce the risk of stroke or heart attacks in people at high risk for these events. In a review published in “Revista de Neurologia,” Plavix is also attributed with pleiotropic properties, which means it improves endothelial function. Specifically, the drug reduces inflammation associated with ischemia, resulting in relaxed blood vessels and improved blood flow.

Combined Effects

There are no reports of drug interactions or significant side effects of soy lecithin beyond rare incidents of stomach upset and nausea. Plavix may produce side effects ranging from diarrhea, extreme fatigue and headaches to serious allergic reactions. There is no evidence of toxicity or adverse effects from taking soy lecithin and Plavix at the same time. However, because soy lecithin influences cholesterol metabolism, it may interfere with pharmaceutical drugs metabolized in the liver by a class of enzymes known as P450, which includes Plavix. If you take Plavix, tell your doctor about your use of lecithin and other soy-based products.

Other Safety Precautions

According to a 2011 study published in “Food and Chemical Toxicology,” soy lecithin demonstrates strong estrogenic activity and could have implications for people with a history of a hormone-driven cancer or who take oral contraceptives. Do not use soy lecithin or Plavix if you are pregnant or nursing without consulting your physician.