Buy Soy Lecithin Online: Best Brands & Products for Sale [Review]

There are many different brands of soy lecithin powders and supplements available to buy online, but not all are the same.

Lecithin is an oily substance that is found in a number of foods, including egg yolks, organ meats, kale and others. It is a source of phospholipids, including phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylinositol.

When phosphatidylcholine gets absorbed by the body, it is broken down into the essential nutrient choline, which acts as a methyl donor and is used to make the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

Soy lecithin, which is produced when soybeans are processed into soybean oil, is used as an emulsifier in many food products and is also available alone in supplement form.

People interested in molecular gastronomy often buy soy lecithin powder online for its emulsifying and stabilizing powers. It is also purchased by many people in either powder or capsule form as a nutritional supplement.

Soy lecithin products for sale can vary based on their soy phosphatides content and the dosage of phosphatidylcholine provided per serving. Some brands also sell lecithin sourced from organic, non-GMO soybeans. There are also sunflower lecithin supplements for people who have a soy intolerance.

Lecithin

Nutrient Supplement

Brain Health

Memory Function

Metabolism

How It Works:

• Natural source of Phosphatidyl Choline
• Provides nervous system support
• Promotes memory function & brain cell health

Dosage:

Between 1 - 35 g per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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Guide to Buying Soy Lecithin

Soy lecithin is available in powder, granules, liquid, softgel and capsule form. You can buy this natural health product online or in brick and mortar establishments such as health food stores and drug stores.

Many consumers choose to buy lecithin in powder form because it is more economical and can be mixed into different beverages or foods. The standard dosage of the powder is one-half a teaspoon one to two times per day.

The majority of encapsulated soya lecithin products are provided in a 1200 mg dosage softgel. There are some brands that sell 520mg and 1680 mg serving sizes as well.

Products are typically differentiated as either 8-grain, 19-grain or 21-grain formulas which refers to how concentrated the supplements are.

For example, a 19 grain Lecithin supplement provides the equivalent of 19 grains of lecithin per softgel, amounting to 1,200 mg. A 21 grain supplement provides 1,360 mg per softgel.

Some companies also sell “Rapid Release” softgels which are purported to be more rapidly absorbed by the body. There are also high-choline formulations of this supplement which contain a higher concentration of phosphatidylcholine than what is naturally found in this plant product.

Commonly available soy lecithin brands for sale include:

• WillPowder Soy Lecithin Powder. This is available in a 16 ounce tub.
• Now Foods Lecithin. This comes in soft gel form and contains 1,200 milligrams per capsule.
• Sundown Naturals Soya Lecithin Softgels. This comes in a 100 count bottle.
• Bob’s Red Mill Soy Lecithin Granules. This comes in a 16 ounce bag.
• Puritan’s Pride Soy Lecithin. This comes in a 1,200 mg dose in rapid release softgels.
• GNC Triple Lecithin 1200mg. This is advertised as a high-choline form of lecithin, providing 420mg of choline per serving.

Benefits and Uses

Soy lecithin is used as an emulsifier in food manufacturing settings. It can help keep commercially made salad dressings from separating, for instance. It is also commonly found in protein bars, margarine, ice cream, tortillas, cookies, some soups, chocolate, certain candies as well as cooking spray oil.

Practitioners of molecular gastronomy in the home also use it in cooking experiments. Some vegans have incorporated soy lecithin into recipes that may otherwise need egg yolks or whites, such as cake frosting.

As a supplement, it is commonly used to support a healthy cardiovascular system, promote liver health, improve transport and metabolism of fats in the body and to support cognitive health.

Lecithin contains choline and inositol, two important natural nutrients that are involved in different signalling mechanisms in the brain, body, liver and muscle tissue.

Choline is incorporated into neuron membranes and is used to synthesize the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which plays a role in memory formation, recall, attention and alertness.

Inositol is involved in mood balance and has an effect on liver function and cellular detoxification. In the body, it gets converted into inositides like IP3 and IP6, which are implicated in the intracellular transmission of nerve impulses.

Soy lecithin may help maintain healthy cholesterol and blood lipid levels. In studies, healthy individuals who took soy lecithin had lower levels of LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol. However, people who suffered from high lipid levels in the blood did not benefit from soy lecithin supplements.

Lecithin has also been studied for its effects on mood disorders and cognitive function. In a study on individuals who have bipolar disorder, those who took a lecithin supplement experienced fewer symptoms during manic phases. There is mixed evidence regarding lecithin’s effects on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Side Effects and Dangers

When used as a food product, soy lecithin is considered safe. However, there is not enough research available on lecithin as a food supplement to completely determine its safety.

The most common side effect that people report when taking a soy lecithin supplement is nausea and upset stomach. It is possible that taking soy lecithin with food can help avoid these symptoms.

Soy lecithin may contain soy protein. Because of this, it is inadvisable for people who have soy allergies to take soy lecithin supplements. If you are sensitive to soy products, you may want to buy sunflower lecithin powder or capsules instead.

Research indicates that soy lecithin is high in phytoestrogens. These are estrogen-like substances that are present in plants and act like estrogen in the body. There is concern that high consumption of phytoestrogens may contribute to the risk of certain forms of cancer. However, there is debate about whether these concerns are well-founded or not.

Some sources believe that use of genetically modified soybean products can increase risk of health problems. There is insufficient research available to determine whether organic soybean lecithin supplements are safer than GMO products, but many consumers opt for organic products out of caution.

It is not recommended to use this supplement at high dosages for long periods of time. In a study on rats, long-term doses of soy lecithin were associated with hypoactivity and poor reflexes.

It is not known whether it is safe to take soy lecithin during pregnancy or during breastfeeding. It is also unknown whether soy lecithin supplements are safe for children.

Soybean oil and lecithin are typically extracted using hexane. There is some concern that hexane residue may be left behind after processing.

However, there are no studies showing that significant amounts remain in soy lecithin products. The FDA does not measure hexane levels in food, so there is no firm evidence on whether hexane is there or not.

How to Take Soy Lecithin Products

Lecithin supplements can be purchased online in either powder or pill form. Powdered lecithin can be measured and dissolved on the tongue. It can also be included in drinks or smoothies or sprinkled on food.

People who wish to use lecithin topically can dissolve it in oil to make a lotion.

Oral soy lecithin supplements can be taken with food if you are concerned about upset stomach. However, it is not required to take this supplement with food.

The recommended dosages to take vary depending on the effect desired. There is no standardized soy lecithin dosage guideline available from the FDA. Common dosages used in research studies include:

Four hundred milligrams taken three times per day for stress-related symptoms. When taken in this amount over a period of four weeks, study participants showed less pituitary adrenal reactivity than those who consumed a placebo.

Ten milligrams taken three times per day reduced symptoms of mania in people with bipolar disorder.

For dementia, daily doses of 1,000 mg and 1,600 mg have been studied. Results at this time are inconclusive.

To improve athletic performance, individuals took 2,200 milligrams per day for two days and .2 grams per kilogram of body weight one hour before athletic activity.

To control cholesterol, 1,800 milligrams were taken each day for a period of six weeks.

For Parkinson’s disease, researchers had participants take 3,200 milligrams per day for a period of nine weeks.

Before buying soy lecithin online for a specific health goal, it is recommended to consult with a doctor to review its safety.

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