Lecithin: Allows the body to process fats efficiently & increases brain function.

• Supports healthy brain function
• Supports healthy cholesterol balance
• Supports healthy liver function
• Improves physical performance over extended periods of exercise or exertion
• Lecithin has been used clinically to protect the stomach and intestines from toxins and the damaging effects of some drug therapies, including extensive use of nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen.

What is Lecithin?

Biochemically, Lecithin is a lipid material belonging to the class known as phospholipids and is a component of all living cells. Lecithin was first discovered in ***0 by the French scientist, Maurice Gobley, who named it lekithos, the Greek term for egg yolk. Until the advent of soybean processing, the egg remained the most common source of lecithin. Because of its high lecithin content, egg yolk is still used today to produce food emulsions such as mayonnaise.

Physiologically, lecithin is an integral part of all organs and glands. The brain itself is comprised of *5% phospholipids. Vital organs such as the liver and reproductive tract, and muscles also contain high concentrations of phospholipids. Phospholipids are also among the primary building blocks of all cellular membranes. Membrane functions include cellular transport of nutrients and wastes, internal cellular pressure regulation, and ion exchange.

Lecithin contains compounds that are responsible for maintaining the health of cell membranes. With insufficient lecithin, the cell wall may harden, thus limiting the flow of nutrients in or wastes out of the cell. This situation contributes to premature ageing of the cells. Lecithins components are also involved in other crucial cell functions. Lecithin is found in egg yolks, soybeans, nuts and organ meats.

What does it do and what scientific studies give evidence to support this?

As a supplier of choline, Lecithin is needed to maintain cell membrane integrity and to facilitate the movement of fats in and out of cells, as well as ions, wastes, and nutrients. Also, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine contains Lecithin as a component. Due to its presence in acetylcholine, a wide variety of studies have been conducted on Lecithin for its possible aid in neurological and psychiatric disorders. Due to its choline make-up, lecithin has been touted as a memory enhancer by improving cognitive function. Research shows a link between depleted acetylcholine levels in the brain and Alzheimer's disease. Although it has not been shown to have the ability to cure the degenerative disease, lecithin may slow its onset. Lecithin also has value as a fat synthesiser and may be beneficial to a diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol because it would increase their breakdown and utilisation by cells.