Learn About Soya Lecithin And Why It May Be Good For You

Soya lecithin is sometimes recommended as a nutritional supplement, because it is a source of Phosphatidyl choline. Let's call that PC. Here's why PC may be good for you.

PC is a major component of cellular membranes. It is a precursor of neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine. Neurotransmitters are compounds responsible for communication between brain cells and synapses. They also carry information from nerve endings in the body to the neurons in the brain.

The amount of PC present in cellular membranes may decrease with age. Increasing your intake may slow the aging process. This is the first health claim commonly associated with these supplements. But, the results from research studies have been conflicting concerning these claims.

It has been shown that people already suffering from age-related dementia do not benefit from soya lecithin supplements. Of course the difference in the results of the study could be due to how the lecithin is extracted from the soy.

Lecithin can be extracted from foods by mechanical or chemical means. The chemical method is faster and less expensive. So, most companies choose the chemical method.

The chemical used in the extraction process is hexane. Hexane is toxic to the central and peripheral nervous system, even in small amounts. So, if the supplement used in the studies was created through the use of hexane, it is understandable that benefits to the central nervous system would be ruled out by the toxicity of hexane.

Assuming you choose a supplement that is extracted mechanically, rather than through the use of solvents, you might be able to slow down the aging process in your body with this nutrient. Some studies have shown improved brain function and memory capacity. The nutrient also has some antioxidant activity.

Antioxidants are important dietary components, because they neutralize free radicals and repair damage that has already been done by the molecules. The antioxidant activity of soya lecithin is not strong however. For this reason, it is better to take a supplement that contains it as an ingredient, than to use it as a stand-alone supplement. Other antioxidants are more potent.

PC has also been shown to have a healing effect on the liver. In animal studies, the nutrient has been shown to reduce symptoms and disease activity in hepatitis. Benefits have also been seen in ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease, due to the nutrient's natural anti-inflammatory activity.

So, soya lecithin is a good choice as an ingredient for a complete multi-nutritional supplement. But only if the chemical hexane is not used in the extraction process.