This is because correlative studies can show only correlations, not cause and effect. Is lecithin the only culprit that produces TMAO? Red meat contains another triethylamine. This molecule, called L-Carnitine , is similar to choline and lecithin. The same Cleveland Clinic group examined the production of TMAO by omnivores, vegans, and vegetarians following the ingestion of L-carnitine. They found that the omnivorous humans had higher levels of circulating TMAO.
The reason? Meat eaters have gut bacterial flora different than vegetarians and vegans. It had two phases. In the first phase, the investigators gave healthy participants a phosphatidylcholine challenge using a stable isotope-labeled form of the phospholipid. They then used mass spectrometry to monitor choline metabolites before and after the suppression of gut microbiota with broad-spectrum antibiotics.
They found that the phosphatidylcholine challenge increased all choline metabolites. Antibiotics suppressed the generation of TMAO metabolites.
After the antibiotics were discontinued, they reappeared. In the second phase, the researchers examined the relationship between fasting plasma TMAO levels and incident cardiovascular events over a 3-year period. They studied more than 4, participants undergoing elective coronary angiography. They found an independent, dose-dependent relationship between the metabolite and the risk of a cardiovascular event on the basis of the TMAO quartile.
The highest quartile had 2. One could argue that that the gold standard for demonstrating causality, namely a randomized, placebo-controlled study has not been done.
Fair enough. But the accumulating evidence, both epidemiological and observational, and the detailed mechanistic studies provide a solid foundation for the clinical observation. Since the lecithin metabolite, TMAO, is a known atherogenic substance, I believe that until we better understand whether it actually causes atherosclerosis, the prudent approach would call for moderation. Further, since there is no credible evidence supporting claims of health benefits, there is no reason to take high doses of lecithin in the form of nutritional supplements.
If you do choose to take them, based on what we know now, you could be increasing your risk of a heart attack or stroke in exchange for no known benefit. Dov Michaeli, M. In addition to his clinical and research responsibilities, he also taught biochemistry to first-year medical students for many years.
During this time he was also the Editor of Lange Medical Publications, a company that developed and produced medical texts that were widely used by health professionals around the world. He loves to write about the brain and human behavior as well as translate knowledge and complicated basic science concepts into entertainment for the rest of us. He eventually left academia to enter the world of biotech. He also founded and served as the CEO of Madah Medica, an early-stage biotech company that developed products to improve post-surgical pain control.
While the Canadian Breastfeeding Foundation recommend lecithin for women who are breast-feeding, there needs to be more research on lecithin supplementation, during pregnancy and lactation. There is no recommended dosage for lecithin. As a general rule, dosage should not exceed 5, mg daily. It is advisable to choose lecithin from food sources before considering supplement form. Lecithin is found in many whole foods, including:. Fats get a bad reputation but are necessary for good health.
Different sources of food provide different types and amounts of fat. This article looks…. High cholesterol levels can result in severe health conditions such as heart disease. So, we have conducted some research and selected the best apps…. High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart attacks and coronary heart disease, because it builds up in the arteries, narrowing them. It does not…. When it comes to health, not all fats are equal.
This article looks at the sources and types of fat, their effects on the body, and how much to add to…. Organ meats, also known as offal, are the commonly unused cuts of meats, such as tails and feet. Learn about the benefits and risks of eating organ…. Everything you need to know about lecithin. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Types Benefits Risks Food sources Lecithin describes a group of fatty substances found in plant and animal tissues. Share on Pinterest Lecithin may be recommeneded as a preventative measure for women who experience clogged milk ducts.
Share on Pinterest Lecithin supplements should be thoroughly researched before being taken, as they are not monitored by the FDA. Food sources. Latest news Adolescent depression: Could school screening help?
First the oil is extracted using a chemical solvent, like hexane, and then the oil is processed which is called degumming so the lecithin is separated and dried.
It appears that soy lecithin only contains trace levels of soy proteins. For this reason, researchers believe that soy lecithin will not provoke allergic reactions in the majority of soy-allergic consumers because it does not contain sufficient soy protein residues. You see, the soybean allergens are found in the protein fraction, which is almost entirely removed in the soy lecithin manufacturing process.
Do use caution when eating any product containing soy, though. People with more sensitive soybean allergies still may react negatively to soy lecithin ingestion and will have to be more conscious of packaged foods containing this ingredient. Another widely researched issue regarding soy is that it contains isoflavones or phytoestrogens , which are naturally occurring estrogenic compounds. Although isoflavones are found in many different plant foods, soybeans contain uniquely rich amounts. In soybeans, isoflavones occur almost exclusively as glycosides sugar compounds , but once the soy food is ingested, the sugar is hydrolyzed and can be absorbed by the body.
Although consuming isoflavones may have potential health benefits, like improving menopause and osteoporosis symptoms, there are concerns about their estrogen-like properties and how they affect the thyroid, uterus and breasts, according to an evaluation of the clinical and epidemiologic literature on this subject that was published in Nutrients.
Personally, when I do eat soy, I only go for fermented soy products, like miso and tempeh. They may be beneficial to your health because they:.
Plus, the fermentation process breaks down the antinutrients that are present, and they contain probiotics. Natto , for example, is a dish that contains fermented soybeans, and I consider it one the greatest probiotic foods because it has been proven to help reduce inflammation and support your immune system. Oftentimes extracted from soybean oil, one ounce 28 grams of soybean lecithin has the following nutritional content:. Why are lecithin supplements so popular, and what are soy lecithin capsules used for?
The answer lies in the fact that lecithin supplements contain a complex mixture of phospholipids, which compose the cellular membrane structure and are used for energy storage. Two types of phospholipids that are essential components for biological membranes include phosphatidycholine and phosphatidylserine.
Researchers in Japan found that the administration of fresh phospholipids can work to replace damaged cell membranes and restore the structure and function of the cellular membrane. This is called lipid replacement therapy, and it has been shown to improve fatigue, diabetes symptoms, degenerative diseases and metabolic syndrome.
Phosphatidylcholine is one of the primary forms of choline and acts as an essential component in cell membrane signaling. Phosphatidylcholine is produced in the liver and converted into choline, which plays several important processes within the body. Phosphatidylserine is found in the membranes of all animals, higher plants and microorganisms.
Research also shows that it might be beneficial for children and young people with ADHD and mental health conditions. Although there are a number of potential benefits from consuming soy lecithin, there are also some dangers and side effects that you should be aware of before choosing to ingest foods or supplements containing this ingredient. Hexane is used in the extraction process when separating the lecithin from the soybean, and then it is removed through another multi-step process.
There can be hexane residue leftover, however, and this is not regulated by the U. Food and Drug Administration. Is soy lecithin genetically modified?
Well, generally speaking, since soy lecithin is extracted from soy oil, which is almost always generically modified, the answer is usually yes. People with thyroid issues should try to limit soy consumption because studies have found that it may decrease the production of thyroid hormones in the body.
A study published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics evaluated whether children with soy allergies reacted to soy lecithin in food products. Twenty children participated in the study, and they were randomly assigned to either a placebo or challenge dose of soy lecithin. One child had a slight reaction to the emulsifier. These results are likely because soy lecithin only contains trace levels of soy proteins.
0コメント