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Lecithin is a type of phospholipid, which is one of many that are contained in the cell membranes of plants and animals. Phospholipid is a term that is considered synonymous to phosphatidyl choline (PC), which a number of people in the scientific community refer to as lecithin.
Lecithin As An Emulsifier
Fat emulsification is among the many functions of lecithin. In the body, lecithin can be found in the bile, which is a digestive substance produced by the liver and kept in the gall bladder to help digestion.
Lecithin is critical for fat and fat-soluble vitamin absorption in the small intestine and acts as a major route for cholesterol elimination. The presence of lecithin in bile functions primarily to prevent the fatty acids and other organic molecules in the bile from mixing with each other. The other organic molecules include bilirubin, phospholipids, cholesterol, and bile acids. Lecithin, as an emulsifying agent, makes sure that the bile is functioning smoothly.
Lecithin And It’s Role In Fat Burning
Lecithin also functions in helping burn fat. Whenever you eat fatty foods, the fat becomes deposited in the liver that in turn breaks the fat down so the body can use it as an energy source. If the fats are not broken down properly, they will accumulate and could become rancid resulting in the production of free radicals that will damage liver cells. The presence of lecithin in liver cells aids in proper liver function especially for fat metabolism.
Lecithin also helps maintain fats in its liquid form to prevent fats from clinging to the arteries and veins, and eventually clog the passages of the cardiovascular system – also known as atherosclerosis. The ability of lecithin to disperse fat in the water as opposed to allowing them to cling to the artery walls aid in the proper function of the body’s cardiovascular system.
Lecithin As A Weight Loss Supplement
Lecithin and its ability to facilitate fat burning make it a valuable component in the diet and weight loss community. The fact is that lecithin is currently marketed as a weight loss supplement for individuals who want a quick fix diet or as an alternative weight loss regimen.
Naturally, lecithin is found in everyday food that is part of our normal diets, like peanuts, yeast, legumes, fish, wheat germ, grains, soybeans, and egg yolks. If these are not enough as a lecithin source, lecithin weight loss supplements are also sold in different forms, like granules, capsules, and powder.
Lecithin used for weight loss supplements are highly filtered meaning that they actually contain less than 35% of phosphatidyl choline and the remaining are made of various substances. Most of these lecithin weight loss supplements are obtained from soybeans. However, lecithin weight loss supplements derived from egg yolks are also available.
Although lecithin weight loss supplements are prized for their phosphatidyl choline content, the actual benefit you obtain from drinking supplements is the boost in choline levels that is received by your body. Choline is an essential nutrient that cannot be manufactured by your body, which is why you always need to depend on the food that you eat and the supplements that you intake to make sure you have an adequate supply.
On the other hand, there have been reported cases where people who ingest large amounts of choline supplements actually emit a fish-like smell that discourages other individuals from taking the supplement altogether. As an alternative, these people take lecithin weight loss supplements that contain phosphatidyl choline, which turns into choline when synthesized.
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Filed under: Lecithin