Lecithin Health Dictionary

A stabiliser and emulsifier from Soya beans, corn, peanuts and egg-yolk. Cholesterol- reducer. Used to reduce the thickness of fats. Consists of a wide complex of fats, essential fatty acids, the B-vitamins choline, inositol and the mineral phosphorus. Required in the body for cell-membrane protection and replacement. Lecithin helps burn up fats and inhibits cholesterol deposits by keeping them in movement round the body. A sufficiency is necessary to obtain the maximum effect of fat-soluble vitamins A, E, carotene and D.

A useful supplement for hardening of the arteries, angina; as a preventative of strokes, heart attacks, skin troubles, gall stones (chiefly made of cholesterol), congested liver, anxiety, depression and Alzheimer’s disease.

Lecithin belongs to a group of chemicals known as phospholipids, components of the body’s cell membranes.

Dosage: one to two tablespoons daily. LEG ULCER. See: VARICOSE ULCER. 

A very complex fat found in various tissues of the body, but particularly in the brain and nerves, of which it forms a large part. It is also found in large quantities in the yolk of an egg.

n. one of a group of *phospholipids that are important constituents of cell membranes and are involved in the metabolism of fat by the liver. An example is phosphatidylcholine. Lecithins are present in the *surfactant that occurs in fetal lung tissue. The lecithin-sphingomyelin ratio (LS ratio) is used as a measure of fetal lung maturity; an LS ratio below 2 indicates a higher risk of *respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). In such cases cortisone may be given to stimulate fetal lung maturity and hence reduce the risk of RDS in the newborn.