Lecithin - Can Lecithin Really Help Improve The Mind?

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by: Darrell Miller
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Word Count: 555
Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2011 Time: 5:36 AM
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Physiologically, lecithin is known to be the richest source of choline, a chemical in which the brain changes into acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is one of the major neurotransmitters of the nervous system in many animals including humans. It is a neurotransmitter that acts on both the peripheral and central nervous system and is the only neurotransmitter that takes action in the motor division of the somatic nervous system. Nonetheless, acetylcholine is also the primary neurotransmitter among all autonomic ganglia.

Acetylcholine is the first neurotransmitter that was discovered. It was first identified in 1914 by Henry Hallett Dale and Otto Loewi. In 1936, this discovery won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Acetylcholine is very vital in the body because it is extremely useful neurotransmitter acting on sodium ion transfer and making muscle contractions and nerve excitation possible. But it is also important to note that a normal level, not in excess or inadequate, of acetylcholine must be maintained. An increased amount of acetylcholine results to a decreased heart rate and increased production of saliva. In very high levels, it can cause convulsions and tremors. On the other hand, in deficient levels, it can significantly contribute to motor dysfunction. In most circumstances, acetylcholine is excreted immediately after it is catalyzed by the enzyme acetyl cholinesterase. Therefore, it is but important that an adequate supply of acetylcholine must be maintained.

The word lecithin is from the Greek word "lekithos" which means "egg yolk". As mentioned above, lecithin is the richest source of acetylcholine. Lecithin is composed of phosphoric acid, fatty acids, glycerol, glycolipids, triglycerides, phospholipids and, the last but not the least, choline. In fact, about 13 % of the weight of lecithin molecule is choline and it is the precursor of acetylcholine. An adequate amount of acetylcholine in the nervous system shows improvement in mental functioning most especially memory.

Clinical studies on animals show that a diet with choline - rich lecithin had better memory retention than animals provided with regular diets. When their brains were seen and examined under a microscope, the lecithin - fed animals showed fewer signs of aging as evidenced by less rigid and lesser fatty deposits. Anatomically, as the brain ages, the nerve cell membranes gradually become rigid with fatty deposits thus losing their ability to receive and send neurochemicals to pick up and relay messages. This can cause memory loss and confused thinking that may worsen into a disease called Alzheimer's disease. Brain cells are also likely to lose some parts of the nerve cells such as the dendrites that convey impulses. Dendrites are essential in transmitting information. This insufficiency is also thought to be a precipitating factor of another disease known as Myasthenia Gravis.

Among the greatest sources of lecithin aside from egg yolk are meats, organ meats, peanuts and soy beans. Grains, fruits and vegetables have low amounts of lecithin. Supplemental lecithin is also available. These supplements come in the form of pill, capsule, powder or granules. Usually, lecithin supplements are mixed into health shakes. Most of the commercially used lecithin supplement is derived from soybeans.

You can find lecithin in softgel or bulk powder forms at your local or internet vitamin store. Always choose name brands like Now Foods to ensure quality of what you buy to boost brain health.

About the Author

If you need a brain boost, try lecithin from Now Foods risk free at VitaNet ®, LLC Vitamin Store. http://vitanetonline.com/