Does Soy Lecithin have Estrogen and is it Bad for You?

Soy lecithin is a phospholipid made up of fatty acids, a glycerol unit and a phosphate group. This form of lipid plays an important role in cell membranes. Soy lecithin comes from the soy plant, although other forms of lecithin exist that originate from eggs or other food sources.

People commonly take soy lecithin to reduce their cholesterol levels, to add moisture to skin and improve skin conditions, and for dementia and gallbladder and liver diseases. Lecithin is also a source of choline, which is needed to produce the neurotransmitter acetylcholine – responsible for memory and focus.

Because plant estrogens in soybeans have been studied and discussed due to possible effects to health, people may question whether soy lecithin contains estrogen. Are there potential negative effects from consuming soy lecithin products on estrogen balance in men or women?

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• Natural source of Phosphatidyl Choline
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Soy Lecithin and Estrogen Concerns

Recent research suggests that excess levels of estrogen in the female or male body can have negative consequences on health. Estrogen Dominance can lead to acne, weight gain, changes in mood, male breast development and may increase risk factors for hormone sensitive cancers.

Soy foods include phytoestrogens, which are plant estrogens. These estrogens molecules are found specifically in soy proteins.

As a result, many people are concerned with limiting their intake of soy products to help maintain a healthy hormone balance. This may cause some to avoid soy lecithin, which is a derivative of soybeans.

However, phytoestrogens found in soy protein are purported to have different effects than certain “bad” forms of estrogen found in the body. When these weak phytoestrogens bind to cell receptors in the human body, they antagonize those receptors by blocking the binding of natural estrogens.

These phytoestrogens could reduce estrogen’s effects, which may lower the risk of breast cancer and help alleviate menstrual symptoms in women, explains the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

In males, these plant estrogens do not seem to negatively affect hormone levels or the reproductive system; they are associated with reduced prostate cancer, notes the committee.

Further, the committee addresses that some studies have found problems from consuming soy but that there were concerns with the studies, they researched animals or the findings were insignificant. It notes that research strongly contradicts anti-soy positions. [1]

Does Soy Lecithin Contain Estrogen?

Certain forms of Soy Lecithin do contain phytoestrogens. However, you can purchase forms of this supplement that have been processed in a way to remove the estrogenic compounds.

An in vitro analysis found a significant amount of estrogenic activity in soy lecithin granules and in food containing soy lecithin as an emulsifier. [2] This supports the idea that soy lecithin could have similar estrogenic effects as other soy foods.

Some people are concerned with potential negative effects of soy lecithin on women, particularly relating to breast cancer. However, an analysis by the American Institute for Cancer Research determined that estrogen-mimicking qualities of soy isoflavones seem to be too weak to significantly impact women’s breast tissue, even in women who have survived breast cancer. [3]

Because of the estrogenic qualities in soy, there could also be a concern about soy lecithin and estrogen positive breast cancer. East Asian women experience less hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer than American women, despite average East Asian women consuming around 10 times the amount of soy as average American women, notes BreastCancer.org.

The organization explains that the issue is complicated by other differences in diet between the two cultures that make it difficult to determine soy’s direct role in breast cancer. It notes that it is unclear whether isoflavones from soy play a role in breast cancer, notably the hormone-receptor-positive types.

The organization notes that moderate amounts of soy foods, such as soy lecithin, within an otherwise balanced diet seem to be safe. However, because of a lack of conclusive research, doctors tend to suggest women with estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer or who are taking hormonal therapies stay away from high amounts of isoflavones. [4]

There does not appear to be research confirming any correlation between soy lecithin and estrogen dominance. In relation to potential soy lecithin effects on testosterone, one study found that soy protein supplementation for 14 days seemed to partially blunt serum testosterone in the male participants.

Researchers noticed reduced testosterone responses after soy supplementation. This study did not look at lecithin specifically. Most of the soy protein is removed from soy lecithin so it is unclear whether it would have the same effect. [5]

Those concerned about using soy lecithin because of effects on estrogen levels should consider the different forms of this supplement. Lecithin granules contain plant estrogens because they include both soy powder and soy oil.

Using soy powder on its own may not affect estrogenic activity. The powder form is processed in a way that removes the estrogen part of the soy. [6]

Safety Considerations for Soy Lecithin

Soy Lecithin is rated as Likely Safe by the Natural Medicines Database when it is used in an appropriate way. It has been well-tolerated in research studies, with low reported rates of side effects.

The FDA has classified soy lecithin as generally recognized as safe, or GRAS, in food products. The FDA reports that it did not find evidence of a hazard to the public when using lecithin at current levels or reasonably expected levels. [7] The Center for Science in the Public Interest also considers lecithin safe. [8]

Some reported adverse reactions from this supplement include mild to moderate nausea and stomach discomfort. Also, sensitive people with soy allergies or intolerances may experience reactions to soy lecithin, although it is not likely.

Women who are pregnant or lactating should avoid soy lecithin due to a lack of research results. Further, it could interact with the drug Diclofenac and serum cortisol levels. No interactions are known with supplements, herbs, diseases or foods.

Soy and soy lecithin have not been conclusively shown to negatively affect hormonal levels. More research is needed on the effects of soy lecithin on estrogen activity in people who are at risk of estrogen-sensitive health conditions.

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