Lecithin - An Amazing Youth Element
Lecithin is the most abundant of the phospholipids.
It is a fatty food substance, which serves as a structural material for every
cell in the body. It is an essential constituent of the human brain and nervous
system. It forms 30 per cent of the dry weight of the brain and 17 per cent of
the nervous system. Lecithin is also an important component of the endocrine
glands and the muscles of the heart and kidneys. It makes up 73 per cent of the
total liver fat. Nervous, mental or glandular overactivity can consume lecithin
faster than its replacement. This may render a person irritable and exhausted.
It is, therefore, of utmost importance to add lecithin to the diet, if the body’s
own supply decreases as in old age or working under stress.
Rich Sources
Lecithin is derived from the Greek Word, likithos,
meaning egg yolk. Egg yolk is a rich source of lecithin, and also a rich source
of cholesterol. This combination makes it possible for the lecithin to emulsify
the cholesterol. Vegetable oils, whole grain cereals, soybeans, liver and milk
are other rich sources of lecithin. The cells of the body are also capable of
synthesizing it as needed, if several of the B vitamins are present. Since
these B vitamins are generally removed when grains are refined, people who eat
exclusively white flour products are lacking them.
Benefits
The action of lecithin on the heart is the most
important of all its proved benefits. It achieved its popularity initially in
this area. Cholesterol is a fatty substance that tends to collect in the walls
of the arteries and veins, thus narrowing them. This may eventually lead to a
fatal blood clot. Scientific studies have shown that lecithin has the ability
to break up cholesterol into small particles which can be easily handled by the
system. With sufficient intake of lecithin, cholesterol cannot build up against
the walls of the arteries and veins. Like cholesterol, lecithin is continuously
produced in the liver, passes into the intestine with bile and is absorbed in
the blood. It helps in the transportation of fats. It also helps the cells to remove
fats and cholesterol from the blood and to use them. It increases the
production of bile acids made from cholesterol, thereby reducing the amount in
the blood. It will thus be seen that cholesterol can cause trouble only if
lecithin is lacking in the system. All atherosclerosis or changes in the
arterial walls are characterized by an increased of the blood cholesterol and a
decrease in lecithin. It has been shown that experimental heart disease, produced
by feeding cholesterol, could be prevented merely by giving a small quantity of
lecithin. Atherosclerosis has been produced in various species
of animals by increasing the blood cholesterol or decreasing the lecithin. In
normal health, when a diet high in fat is taken, there is tremendous increase
in the production of lecithin. This helps in changing the fat in the blood from
large particles to smaller and smaller ones. In case of atherosclerosis,
however, the lecithin in the blood remains very low regardless of the quantity
of fat entering the blood. The result is that, the fat particles remain too
large to be able to pass through the arterial walls. A more serious situation
can develop if there is lack of lecithin in cells also. Besides reducing the cholesterol level in the blood,
there is mounting scientific evidence to suggest several other benefits from
lecithin. It has been suggested that its intake in sufficient amounts can help
rebuild those cells and organs which need it. Lecithin helps to maintain their health
once they are repaired. It may mean that a deficiency of lecithin in the diet
may be one of the causes of ageing and that its use may be beneficial in retarding
the ageing process.
Edward R. Hewith in his
book, The Years Between 75 and 90 says, "with older people the fats remain high
in the blood for from five to seven hours and in some cases as long as 20
hours, thus giving the fats more time to become located in the tissues. If
lecithin is given to older people before a fatty meal, it has been found that
the fats in the blood return to normal in a short time, in the same way they do
in younger people."
In some cases, the cosmetic effect of lecithin does
as much for the mental outlook of persons as it does for their physical
well-being. It has been found to eliminate the yellow or yellow- brown plaques
on the skin or around the eyes caused by fatty deposits. It is a natural
tranquilliser which is beneficial in nervous exhaustion. It can produce great
alertness in elderly people. Some studies have indicated that lecithin
increases the gamma globulin in the blood. This helps fight infection. It
provides an increased immunity against pneumonia. It has also been found to lower
blood pressure in some people. In combination with vitamin E, it has proved
helpful in lowering the requirements of insulin in diabetics. It has also
proved valuable in the treatment of certain skin ailments, including acne,
eczema and psoriasis. Lecithin has been suggested as a sexual aid. It was used
in Germany
30 years ago as a restorative of sexual powers, for glandular exhaustion and
nervous and mental disorders. Seminal fluid is rich in lecithin. Because of its
loss from the body, its need for men is regarded as specially great. Its use is
also considered valuable in minimising pre-menstrual and menopausal tension. Dr.
N.A. Ferri, an eminent physician remarks - "Lecithin
has a versatile function in life. It is an extremely important factor in the
digestion and oxidation of fats, thus creating more muscle and glandular
activity, resulting in greater body exertion and less fat accumulations.
Lecithin is essential not only for tissue integrity of the nervous and
glandular system in all living cells, but has been regarded as also the most
effective generator and regenerator of great physical, mental and glandular
activity. Shattered nerves, depleted brain power, waning activity of vital glands,
find in lecithin, especially in the cellular structure of the nervous system
and endocrine glands a source of dynamic energy."
The best way to increase lecithin is to eat the same
amount of fat as usual, but reduce animal fat except that from fish. Oil may be
used for cooking, seasoning and salad dressing. All hydrogenated fats such as
margarines, cooking fats, hydrogenated peanut butter and processed cheese
should be avoided as also foods prepared with them.
Source: www.healthlibrary.com through
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