Brain Chemicals: Something I Never Knew

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Lecithin

Source: here:

Categories: Nervous System, Circulatory System

Almanac: High Cholesterol, Cardiovascular Disease, Overweight, Low Energy, Alcoholism

Lecithin is a fatlike substance called a phospholipid. It is produced daily by the liver if the diet is adequate. It is needed by every cell in the body and is a key building block of cell membranes; without it, they would harden. Lecithin protects cells from oxidation and largely comprises the protective sheaths surrounding the brain. It is composed mostly of B vitamins, phosphoric acid, choline, linoleic acid and inositol. Although it is a fatty substance, it is also a fat emulsifier. Hence, it supports the circulatory system. Its choline is useful for making acetylcholine.

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I've regularly taken loads of lecithin in the past. I go through the Holland & Barrett softgel caps like they were Smarties. They keep the cholesterol down, which is handy, but here's something I never knew.

Lecithin is the common name for a compound called phosphatidyl choline.

From this site:-

Phosphatidyl choline (PC) is a fat-soluble substance known as a phospholipid. Phospholipids are essential components of cell membranes. Phosphatidylcholine's role in the maintenance of cell membrane integrity is vital to all of the basic biological processes: information flow, intracellular communication, and bioenergetics. The commercial term for PC is "lecithin". When people refer to lecithin they are usually referring to supplements high in phosphatidyl choline. Supplements labeled as "lecithin" may contain from 10 to 20% PC. However, pure PC supplements are generally labeled as "phosphatidylcholine."

In addition to providing choline needed for cell membrane integrity, PC is also an essential component of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter required for normal brain activity. Although the human body can synthesize choline, additional amounts from the diet are considered essential under certain circumstances. Consequently, PC has been employed by researchers in a number of studies for use in connection with various neurological and psychiatric disorders. However, these studies did not draw any conclusive results regarding PC supplementation.

So if someone comes over and offers you "lecithin with phosphatidyl choline", you can tell tham that lecithin is phosphatidyl choline.