Lecithin Side Effects

Lecithin is getting increasingly popular as a dietary supplement. In fact, it is a fatty substance found in both animal and plant tissues. It is mainly found in the cell membranes and even the myelin sheaths (membranous covering of neurons) have this lipid material. It is also found in soybeans, egg yolks, wheat germ, legumes, yeast and peanuts. Studies show that lecithin plays an important role in the entry and exit of nutrients in cells, in cell communication, brain functioning, etc. As it is claimed to be beneficial for various bodily functions, lecithin is now widely used as a dietary supplement. However, there are some possible lecithin side effects too. Let us take a look at the various aspects of lecithin use.

More about Lecithin

The term lecithin is usually used to denote a group of yellow-brown fatty substances, among which phosphatidylcholine is the major component. Apart from that, it contains fatty acids, triglycerides, carbohydrates and phospholipids. It is said that lecithin is beneficial for the body, as it offers protection from the negative effects of oxidation. It also plays an active role in digestion, as bile contains lecithin. It has also been suggested that lecithin can be effective in lowering high blood cholesterol levels. As it is found in the myelin sheath and is said to play an important role in cell communications, lecithin is also claimed to be effective in treating degenerative diseases like dementia, Alzheimer's disease, etc.

Owing to these properties of lecithin, it is used in medicines and as a dietary supplement. Being an emulsifier, it is also used in cooking as a non stick cooking spray. Lecithin is also used in food industry, in paint industry and in cosmetics. Commercially, lecithin is derived mainly from soybeans and is available in the form of powder, capsule and granules. Even though, lecithin is included in the "Generally Recognized as Safe" list of the FDA, it may sometimes cause certain side effects in some people. So, the unrestricted use of lecithin is said to be unsafe.

Adverse Effects of Lecithin

It has been observed that lecithin is free of side effects in most of the users. But, you cannot completely rule out the possibility of lecithin side effects that are mostly seen in case of over dosage of the supplement. Studies show that people, who use less than 30 grams of lecithin per day, as found to experience no side effects. But, intake consumption of large amounts of lecithin supplements are sometimes associated with problems. The following are some of the possible adverse effects of lecithin.

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Bad breath
• Fishy body odor
• Sudden weight gain/weight loss
• Low blood pressure
• Dizziness and fainting
• Allergic reactions
• Increased salivation

Even lecithin injections may cause side effects like swelling and redness of the site and burning sensation. While some of these side effects are mild, severe allergic reactions need immediate medical attention. As lecithin in supplements is mainly derived from soy and egg, people, who are allergic to soy products and egg, may develop allergic reactions, as they use lecithin supplements. So, allergic reactions are among the possible side effects of lecithin. So, use of nutritional supplements with medicinal effects (as in case of lecithin) has to be under the supervision of a health expert. Apart from that, stick to the dosage, as prescribed by your health expert. Even though, there is no standard dosage for lecithin, high doses must be avoided, due to the possible lecithin side effects.

Even though, lecithin is claimed to be beneficial for health in various ways, there is no scientific backing to prove lecithin benefits. It is also suggested that people with some chronic medical conditions and pregnant/nursing women must avoid this product, as there are chances that they experience lecithin side effects. As these supplements are easily available without doctor's prescription, indiscriminate use has been observed. So, use it only in accordance to your doctor's instructions.