Table of contents
- Lecithin for Liver Health
- Lecithin against cholesterol
- For little geniuses
- Versatile, effective, safe
- How does the body react to a lack of lecithin?
- Natural Sources of Lecithin
- How to use?
- There are few contraindications, but they exist
Lecithin is a fat-like organic substance, which is a complex of phospholipids. This, without exaggeration, is fuel for the human body. It is a building material for cell membranes. Strengthens the nervous system, indispensable for the liver and brain. Lecithin also helps to establish lipid metabolism in the human body and normalize cholesterol levels in the blood. Indications for the use of this drug are very wide. It is necessary both for the development of the growing body and for maintaining the health of mature people.
Compound
The composition of different drugs varies depending on which pharmaceutical company produces them.
For example, VitaLine Lecithin, produced in granules, contains a natural soy-based lecithin extract. The substance is 98% composed of phosphatides , including but not limited to: linoleic acid, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, linolenic acid, phosphatidylinositol).
One capsule of Lecithin NSP (NSP) contains 0.52 g of purified lecithin concentrate, which is obtained from soybean oil. Approximately 95-97% of the substance consists of biologically active principles - polyunsaturated fatty acids and phospholipids .
One capsule of Lecithin Nash contains 0.45 g of sunflower lecithin, as well as 0.8% monoglycerides and 0.6% moisture. The active component of the drug is produced from sunflower seeds using an original patented technology, which makes it possible to obtain a highly purified (98.6%), immunologically and environmentally safe substance.
The Doppelhertz Lecithin capsule contains 0.5 g of the active substance, as well as a complex of vitamins (including vitamins, B12, PP ).
The capsule of the drug Coral Lecithin (from the Coral Club) contains 1.2 g of liquid soy lecithin.
Why is it better to take dietary supplements?
A reasonable question arises: why not add more lecithin-rich foods to your diet, and why buy special preparations?
Due to the fact that heavy cholesterol predominates in foods, doctors recommend introducing lecithin into your diet through dietary supplements. This dietary supplement will not contain fats that are harmful to health. The supplement will dissolve most of the cholesterol coming from food.
Exactly the same principle with taking regular protein. In principle, we can do without it, but then we will be forced to eat a lot of food, which, in addition to protein, will contain extra calories, fats, and carbohydrates. To avoid this, we use concentrate.
To make the drug, lecithin is produced from vegetable oils: sunflower and soybean. Many studies have found that plant phospholipid is absorbed better, normalizing the digestion process, unlike animal phospholipids. In the food industry, the substance is used as an emulsifier. And soy lecithin is quite common in the use of cosmetic products as part of nourishing and moisturizing products.
And now we can consider in more detail the benefits and harms of taking lecithin.
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
The main components of lecithin - choline and inositol - are substances that are vital for ensuring proper brain .
Choline is responsible for intellectual activity, coordination of muscle contractions, and creative activity. In addition, choline promotes the formation of short-term (working) memory and its retention.
Inositol has a beneficial effect on mood, the ability to navigate in space, and behavior. The substance helps reduce nervousness and irritability and has a calming effect.
A sufficient content of lecithin in food products can reduce cholesterol in the blood and the frequency of contractions of the heart muscle , promotes blood , reduces the tone of the walls of blood vessels , improves blood pressure and blood supply to various organs and tissues .
The substance takes an active part in the regulation of lipid metabolism in the body , stimulating the breakdown of lipids into simple fatty acids . In the presence of lecithin, fats are quickly removed from the liver and enter the internal organs and fat depots.
In addition, its use accelerates the restoration of liver cells damaged by exposure to alcohol, nicotine, narcotic substances, food colorings and preservatives, and medications.
The substance plays an important role in increasing the body's defenses: it helps restore the function of lymphocytes and mononuclear phagocytes , due to the production of antibodies, it increases the body's resistance to diseases, stimulates the growth and activity of phagocytes .
Lecithin activates reproductive function, improves nutrition and detoxification processes, restores damaged skin cells and stimulates the formation of new ones, protects the skin from the effects of free radicals, helps normalize weight, stimulates the production of bile and prevents the formation of gallstones, prevents the development of cirrhosis due to alcohol abuse, stimulates processes of absorption of vitamins A, , K and in the digestive tract.
The beneficial properties of the substance make it indispensable for pregnant women. This is due to the fact that it takes part in the formation and normal development of the fetal nervous system and has a beneficial effect on the development of the child’s mental abilities in the future.
Indications for use
The use of Lecithin is advisable for:
- fatty liver degeneration of various etiologies;
- acute and chronic hepatitis;
- liver cirrhosis;
- hepatic coma;
- food or drug poisoning;
- alcoholic and radiation damage to the liver (including alcoholic polyneuritis);
- sclerotic lesions of blood vessels (dietary supplements are indicated for use both for therapeutic and preventive purposes);
- conditions accompanied by decreased concentration and/or performance;
- stress;
- psycho-emotional overload;
- increased nervousness;
- insomnia;
- cardialgia;
- overwork;
- psoriasis;
- neurodermatitis;
- kidney diseases;
- diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
- diseases associated with aging of the body;
- hyperlipidemia.
In addition, the medicine is prescribed to speed up recovery after serious illnesses and faster recovery after childbirth (if the woman is not breastfeeding), as well as one of the components of therapy, the purpose of which is to generally strengthen the body.
The drug can also increase the effectiveness of therapy prescribed for the treatment of women's diseases such as endometriosis , fibrocystic mastopathy , breast cancer and uterine cancer .
Side effects
Adverse reactions when taking lecithin occur very rarely. In most cases, they appear against the background of individual hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
In some cases (especially with long-term use of the drug), disturbances in the functioning of the digestive system occur. They can manifest themselves in the form of increased salivation, dyspepsia and nausea.
Contraindications
Interestingly, the only contraindication to the use of lecithin is the presence of hypersensitivity to the substances contained in the drug.
During pregnancy
Lecithin and drugs created on its basis are considered non-toxic, do not cause mutations and do not have a carcinogenic effect.
However, you should avoid using this substance during pregnancy (this restriction especially applies to the first 13 weeks). At later stages, as well as during breastfeeding, lecithin can be used, but only with the permission of a doctor.
Instructions for use of Lecithin
In accordance with the instructions for use, Lecithin Nash and other lecithin preparations produced in capsule form should be taken in a dose of 1.05 to 2.1 grams per day. Divide it into 3 doses.
Granulated lecithin, as well as preparations that are available in powder form, take 1-2 teaspoons per day, first dissolving in water or fruit juice.
The instructions for the solution for oral use indicate that in this dosage form the drug should be taken orally three times a day, 20 ml (this corresponds to the volume of 2 dessert spoons).
How to take Lecithin? It is recommended to drink the product for a long time. Typically, the course of treatment ranges from 1.5-2 months or more (up to several years). In each specific case, the duration of treatment and the advisability of repeated courses are determined by the attending physician depending on the characteristics of the disease.
Age restrictions differ for drugs from different manufacturers. For example, Lecithin Our Juvix-Pharm is not prescribed to persons under 12 years of age. Some products can be used starting from 6-7 years of age, and some are recommended exclusively for people over 18 years of age.
Analogs
Which analogue is better to choose? It is impossible to replace the medicine; it is unique. The same drugs based on the active component, but under a different name, become analogues of the drug:
- “Lecithin Vitamax” – general tonic vitamins;
- “Lecithin NSP” is a general strengthening drug;
- "Lecithin Art Life" - a remedy for improving brain function;
- “Buerlecithin” is a plant phospholipid complex;
- granulated “Lecithin Granules” – soluble granules based on soy raw materials;
- "Doppelhertz Vitalotonic" is a general strengthening and sedative solution containing plant extracts.
special instructions
Lecithin - what is it?
Wikipedia to the question “what is lecithin?” answers that lecithins are a general concept that is usually used to define by-products of the refining of vegetable oils by the hydration method.
The chemical formula of the substance is as follows:
phosphatidylcholine molecule contains phosphoric acid , glycerol , higher fatty acids and the vitamin-like substance choline , which is the raw material for the synthesis of neurotransmitters (transmitters of nerve impulses).
The human body experiences a need for polyunsaturated fatty acids and phospholipids from the moment the embryo begins to form and subsequently throughout life.
Phosphatidylcholine belongs to the group of complex lipids and is one of the components of living cell membranes . nervous tissue are especially rich in it .
The versatility of lecithin preparations is due to the fact that phosphatidylcholines are the basis of all cell membranes in the human body: the insulating and protective tissues that surround nerve fibers , the brain and spinal cord consist of about 30% of them, and liver cells - 65%.
The body's need for phosphatidylcholines is also due to the fact that the latter are used as a building material necessary for the restoration of damaged cells. In addition, they are the main vehicle for delivering vitamins , nutrients and drugs into cells.
With a deficiency of these substances, the effectiveness of all medications without exception is significantly reduced.
When there is a hormonal imbalance in the body, endogenous progesterone, estrogen and testosterone are formed from cholesterol and only if the cholesterol is in an assimilable and transportable state. Inositol and choline give it this state .
In addition, the substance is an effective form of organic phosphorus, a trace element that is extremely important for dental health.
When taking lecithin preparations, you should not exceed the dose recommended by the instructions. The drug is used with caution in patients with cholelithiasis and pancreatitis in the acute stage.
vitamin C into the diet or take additional preparations of ascorbic acid and calcium in order to neutralize the harmful products metabolism .
The benefits and harms of lecithin
It is impossible to overestimate the benefits of the substance. Its deficiency primarily affects the state of the nervous system . The main symptoms of insufficient lecithin in the body are memory disorders, insomnia, mood swings, and decreased concentration.
In addition, a deficiency of the substance in the diet is accompanied by digestive disorders, which manifest themselves in the form of aversion to fatty foods, bloating, frequent diarrhea, impaired renal and/or liver function, increased blood and intracranial pressure , progression of diseases of the heart , blood vessels , joints , and organs of the digestive system. , weight loss, poor speech development in children, mental instability.
Taking the drug, as a rule, does not have any side effects, which distinguishes it from most medications that are used to treat disorders of brain function .
What is soy lecithin? Emulsifier lecithin - benefits and harms
Soy lecithin - what is it? This is a substance that is obtained from waste from the production of oil and soy products. In the food industry it is used in the form of additive E322.
The emulsifier soy lecithin is necessary in the production of margarine, milk products, chocolate, and bakery products. E322 is also often used as an antioxidant. The additive may be listed in the product description as emulsifier lecithin.
To date, many articles have been written about the dangers and benefits of soy lecithin. The beneficial properties of the substance are described above.
As for the question of the dangers of soy lecithin, all experts agree that if consumed in reasonable quantities, the substance does not cause any harm to the body.
However, when used in high doses, it can cause allergic reactions (especially in people who are predisposed to them).
According to most consumers, another danger lies in the fact that the substance can be obtained from genetically modified raw materials. Despite the fact that there is no official data on the dangers of using GM products, today their quantity is strictly regulated.
Additive E476 - benefit or harm?
Another form of lecithin is polyglycerol , which is also known as stabilizer E476.
Polyglycerol is obtained chemically. The properties of this substance allow it to be used as a stabilizing agent to maintain the required level of viscosity and improve the consistency of individual food products.
In this regard, the additive is often used in the production of chocolate, mayonnaise and ketchup, margarine, ready-made gravy and vacuum-packed liquid soups.
Compared to lecithin, E476 is much cheaper, and such a replacement does not affect the taste of the product.
There is no direct evidence that E476 is harmful to the body. Studies have not revealed the toxicity of this substance. Their results also made it possible to establish that the additive is not an allergen and does not provoke skin irritation (including during direct contact with it).
However, it should be taken into account that since the production of polyglycerol on stream, GM plants have often been used for its production. When asked what this means for the body, scientists are still at a loss to answer.
According to some data, abuse of products containing the E476 additive can cause an increase in the size of the liver and kidneys , as well as disruption of metabolic processes in the body. In this regard, you should be especially careful when including them in the diet of people with stomach diseases and young children.
What foods contain lecithin?
The name of the substance has Greek roots. Literally translated, “lekithos” means “egg yolk”. Accordingly, it is found in large quantities in eggs.
Other foods that contain lecithin are foods high in fat - chicken and beef liver, nuts, fish, seeds, meat, sunflower oil, legumes (particularly soybeans).
What is this substance?
Lecithin is an ester of choline (vitamin B4) and fatty acids. It is also a common member of phospholipids in the body. It is the main element of cell membranes. Thus, the substance serves as a building material for all cell membranes. The second name of the element is phosphatidylcholine.
It nourishes the entire nervous system, ensuring optimal phospholipid metabolism. Indispensable for brain function - a lack of the substance can lead to disturbances in brain activity. For me personally, this is unacceptable, since I am in constant brainstorming. I think, read, study a lot. And to be honest, I started using lecithin precisely for the sake of supporting the brain, and not for athletic success.
I take a supplement from the American company NOW-FOODS, excellent sunflower lecithin:
The substance lowers cholesterol levels by breaking it down into small particles, thereby preventing the appearance of cholesterol plaques on the walls of blood vessels. It also promotes the absorption of certain vitamins. Lecithin helps restore energy to the body, so its deficiency is often observed during rigorous training.
A deficiency of this phospholipid in the body disrupts many functions: the nervous system suffers, the cardiovascular system malfunctions, liver function deteriorates, and hormonal levels may become disrupted. People age faster and get sick a lot. The worst thing is that no medications or vitamins can help the patient until the level of beneficial phospholipid is restored.
Lecithin for children
The child's body needs lecithin from the first weeks of intrauterine development, since lecithin takes an active part in the processes of formation and development of the central nervous system . The surfactant that lines the alveoli of the lungs , consists of 76% of this substance.
An infant receives it with mother's milk. Therefore, in cases where breastfeeding is impossible for some reason, the resulting deficiency must be compensated additionally.
This is due to the fact that if the substance is insufficient in the child’s diet, the child’s attention and learning ability are significantly reduced.
In addition, it is characterized by the ability to reduce the concentration of fatty acids and cholesterol in the blood and cleanse the vascular walls of cholesterol plaques . It improves the functional activity of the kidneys and the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins , which are necessary for the supply of nutrients to all living cells of the human body, stimulates energy production, and also increases resistance to the aging process in adulthood.
The child’s body is especially vulnerable during stress, which he usually encounters for the first time during the period of adaptation to kindergarten, and then to school.
Pediatricians note that children going to first grade need lecithin: the substance stimulates brain , increases concentration and resistance to stress, improves memory, and also effectively reduces fatigue.
For teenagers, whose body is in a phase of rapid growth, it is the second most important building material after protein.
The optimal form of Lecithin for children is a gel, which, unlike tablets, is not perceived by the child as a medicine and, moreover, has a pleasant taste and fruity smell. Another option is instant capsules, which can be used to make a vitamin drink.
Who needs phosphatidylcholine?
Every person needs this substance throughout their life. And that's why:
- The formation of organs in the unborn in the womb depends on a sufficient amount of this phospholipid in the mother's body.
- The baby receives the substance from the mother's milk for the normal development of both cognitive and motor functions.
- In preschool age, it develops a child’s intellect, improves his ability to concentrate and assimilate information.
- During puberty, phosphatidylcholine prevents underdevelopment of the organs of the reproductive system and prevents dysfunction of the testes and ovaries.
- The elderly especially need the element - the function of assimilation of nutrients worsens with age. A deficiency of the element leads to Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease.
Reviews about Lecithin
Almost all reviews about Lecithin left by consumers and doctors are positive. Both doctors and ordinary people who have used the product for various health problems note its high effectiveness, benefits for the nervous system and liver , and the absence of side effects and contraindications.
Reviews of granulated soy lecithin are similar to reviews of ArtLife Lecithin or reviews of Doppelgerz Lecithin . Each of these remedies has a beneficial effect on the condition of the body as a whole (especially if the latter is constantly exposed to stress and increased physical activity), normalizes the function of the heart and vascular system , has a choleretic effect cholesterol levels .
For children and students, the drug is especially necessary during periods of mental fatigue (for example, during exam periods). In addition, against the background of its use, many note a significant increase in immunity and, as a result, the body’s ability to withstand the effects of adverse factors.
Doctors consider the remedy a wise addition to any diet. Many of them recommend it as a dietary supplement for people who have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Neurologists often prescribe drugs based on this substance in cases where a child has a delay in mental and/or speech development.
A large number of positive reviews about Lecithin Nash and Lecithin NSP are associated with the positive effect of these products on lactostasis , problems with excess weight, and cellulite.
In addition, the product can be used in cosmetology. It is characterized by its ability to deeply moisturize the skin and stimulate its regeneration. Its use is no less effective for hair: by helping to normalize the function of hair follicles, it improves the structure and appearance of hair.
When losing weight
Lecithin is also used for weight loss. It helps normalize weight and produce energy. By normalizing the activity of body systems, the drug improves metabolism. Nutritionists note that the product helps get rid of stress, thereby preventing overeating and gaining additional pounds due to nervousness.
It is also used for high-quality digestion of food, so the supplement is often prescribed during diet therapy. In addition to the drug, of course, the patient is also prescribed moderate physical activity. However, lecithin acts as a good supplement during weight loss.
According to some nutritionists and cosmetologists, the drug can also help reduce cellulite in problem areas. It makes the skin elastic and tightens it.
Lecithin price
The price of Lecithin differs depending on which pharmaceutical company produces it. So, for example, the price of Lecithin NSP is about 420 UAH (in Russia - from 1400 to 1900 rubles), and you can buy Lecithin Doppelgerts at a pharmacy for an average of 69-75 UAH.
The cost of Solgar from the company Solgar Vitamin (USA) starts from 225 UAH. You can buy Solgar soy lecithin in Moscow from 930 rubles.
- Online pharmacies in RussiaRussia
- Online pharmacies in UkraineUkraine
- Online pharmacies in KazakhstanKazakhstan
ZdravCity
- Doppelherz (Doppelgerts) Activ Lecithin Forte 1200 capsules 1865 mg 30 pcs. Queisser Pharma
402 rub. order - Foundation cream with lecithin “ballet” natural tone tube 41 g Svoboda JSC
97 RUR order
- NOW (NAU Foods) Lecithin triple strength capsules 1200 mg 100 pcs.Now Foods/ NOW International
907 RUR order
- Nau lecithin 1200 mg caps. 1830 mg No. 200 (bud)Now Foods/ NOW International
RUB 1,749 order
- Our Lecithin powder 120gUvix Pharma
RUB 293 order
Pharmacy Dialogue
- Solgar (Natural soy lecithin caps. No. 100)Solgar Vitamin and Herb
990 rub. order
- Doppelhertz Active Lecithin forte capsules No. 30Queisser
RUB 432 order
- Doppelherz Active Lecithin complex capsules No. 30Queisser
RUB 355 order
- Our lecithin (caps. No. 150)Uvix-Pharm LLC
481 rub. order
- Our lecithin (caps. No. 90)Uvix-Pharm LLC
RUB 301 order
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Pharmacy24
- Vita-Supradin Lecithin 175 g gel Lichtenheldt GmbH FF, Nimechchina
114 UAH.order - Soy lecithin N100 capsules Solgar Vitamin End Herb, USA
331 UAH. order
- Doppelhertz Active Lecithin+B No. 30 capsules Swiss Caps AG, Switzerland/Queisser Pharma GmbH and Co.KG, Nimeczina
90 UAH order
- Lecithin No. 30 capsules TOV "Beauty and Health", Ukraine
59 UAH order
- Lecithin No. 50 capsules LLC "Elit-Pharm", Ukraine
84 UAH order
PaniPharmacy
- Lecithin capsules No. 30, Walmark
137 UAH order
- Lecithin capsules No. 100 Canada, Pharmascience
191 UAH order
- Lecithin capsules No. 50 Ukraine, Elite-pharm
104 UAH order
- Vansiton Lecithin 250g Ukraine, DelMas Ltd
276 UAH. order
- Solgar Natural soy lecithin capsules No. 100 Ukraine, Solgar Vitamin and Herb
345 UAH. order
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