Soy Lecithin Dangers: Allergies, Cancer, Elevated Estrogen Levels?

Is soy lecithin dangerous and what are the health risks of using this supplement?

Lecithin is a phospholipid compound that has several purported benefits for human health. Phospholipids are important molecules for maintaining healthy skin, hair, nails and brain cells.

Phospholipids, including phosphatidylcholine, found in soy lecithin get incorporated into brain cell membranes and promote structural integrity as well as signalling function.

However, soy lecithin may not be appropriate for everyone and could have adverse effects if overused. Lecithin is isolated during processing of soybeans. Crude soybean oil goes through a de-gumming process. Lecithin, an oily substance, is one of the byproducts, and is dried once it is isolated.

This phospholipid is used as an emulsifier in some food products and is also taken as health a supplement for a variety of uses.

Animal studies suggest that soy lecithin dangers are possible when consumed in large quantities over a long period of time. There is some concern about health risks linked to use of soy products as well.

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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Soy Lecithin Dangers

When taken in normal quantities, soy lecithin is safe and well-tolerated. Lecithin is considered a GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe) compound by the Food and Drug Administration in the USA.

The most common side effects reported are nausea, diarrhea and stomach discomfort. Studies indicate that it is not harmful for people when taken in small doses.

Some individuals prefer to use sunflower lecithin instead of taking the soybean-derived version of this supplement. Individuals who have an allergy or insensitivity to soy products may prefer this source to reduce the risk of a negative reaction.

There are individuals who question soy lecithin’s safety because it is extracted using hexane. Hexane is a carcinogen. A number of studies indicate that hexane is effectively removed from foods before they are offered for sale.

However, some research indicates that some hexane remains. The FDA does not monitor hexane levels, so it is unknown whether hexane is found in soy lecithin. Because of potential dangers, some people use sunflower lecithin instead.

A study published in Food and Chemical Toxicology suggests that soy products, including lecithin, are highly estrogenic. Estrogenic foods mimic the function of estrogen in the body. Soy lecithin, specifically, was found to be highly estrogenic.

There is some concern that the phytoestrogens in foods may increase breast cancer risk in some people. While studies on the effects of estrogenic foods and cancer risk have mixed results, a number of people avoid all soy foods as a caution.

Because only small quantities are consumed when compared to other soy products such as veggie burgers or soy milk, other experts say that the high level of phytoestrogens in soy lecithin is not a cause for concern.

Because there is not enough evidence on its use, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take soy lecithin supplements.

Is It Safe in Large Doses?

The question of whether soy lecithin is harmful in larger doses is still unsettled.

A study published in Developmental Psychobiology indicates that high dosages had adverse effects on rats. Soy lecithin was fed to pregnant rats and young, weaned rats. The rats whose mothers were fed the compound had developmental and motor skill delays.

Dangers for rats who consumed it over a long period of time included poor reflexes and lower activity levels.

It is not recommended to take more than 1-35 g per day of this supplement and using higher dosages may not improve results. A study on healthy adults indicated that doses of four grams of lecithin were not as effective as doses of two grams of lecithin.

Soy lecithin may cause allergic reactions in people who have soy allergies. Whether it will cause a reaction will depend on the amount of soy protein left behind after processing.

In an analysis of six samples, researchers found protein concentrations that were anywhere from 100 parts per million to 1,400 parts per million.

Effects and Benefits

Accrording to the Natural Medicine Database, lecithin has been studied for a number of health conditions, including:

• acne
• liver disease
• dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
• bipolar disorder
• anxiety
• eczema

In studies, it was shown to help lower LDL cholesterol levels and total cholesterol levels.

There is some evidence that it can cause a mild reduction in cortisol levels and may reduce stress levels.

Lecithin is used topically as a treatment for dry skin and dermatitis. While there is anecdotal evidence of its effectiveness for these conditions, there are no current clinical studies supporting this use.

Soy lecithin may increase absorption of a number of supplements. Natural medicine practitioners have used it to increase absorption of supplements that include turmeric, boswellia, grape seed extract and milk thistle extract.

Directions for Use

Soy lecithin supplements come in a wide range of dosages. The typical dosage per day when used as an oral supplement is 1,200 mg.

Depending on your reason for taking this supplement, you may want to look for a product that contains a standardized dosage of phosphatidylcholine per serving. For example, GNC Triple Lecithin contains 420 mg of phosphatidylcholine in each capsule.

It is not necessary to take soy lecithin with a meal in order for it to be absorbed from the gut. However, some experts recommend taking it with food to avoid gastrointestinal issues.

If you experience negative side effects like stomach discomfort or nausea, you may want to use a softgel version of this supplement. You may also want to consider sunflower lecithin instead which is sometimes better tolerated.

For Alzheimer’s disease, participants in a study took 10 to 25 grams per day for a period of six months. For dementia, researchers studied doses of both 1,000 mg per day and 1,600 mg per day for a period of three months.

To reduce stress, healthy adults participating in a study took 1,980 to 3,960 mg soy lecithin before being subjected to a stress test. The suggested dosage to augment athletic performance is .2 grams lecithin per kilogram of body weight.

This supplement may not be appropriate for everyone. Its use may be contraindicated for people with certain health conditions or anyone using certain medications.

In patients diagnosed with mania, preliminary research indicates that taking 10 mg lecithin three times per day can increase the risk of symptoms that include hallucinations, incoherent speech and delusions.

Consult with a doctor before taking soy lecithin supplements to determine whether this product is safe for you. It is important to use it responsibly to prevent potential health risks and dangers of overuse.

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