Sunflower Lecithin Benefits

Lecithin (a type of fat) makes up nearly a third the mass of your entire brain!
Lecithin is a yellow-brown colored fatty substance found in all living things. It contains choline, which is used throughout our entire body as a major ingredient in the phospholipid portion of each and every cell membrane.
Women need approximately 400mg of this nutrient per day, while men require around 550mg. Those numbers are considered the AI (Adequate Intake) numbers, but consuming more can offer even bigger benefits to your health.
Sunflower lecithin is currently the healthiest lecithin supplement available on the market.
10 Sunflower Lecithin Benefits:

The phospholipid profile in sunflower lecithin benefits the brain more than any other organ in the body. Phosphatidylcholine is an important neurotransmitter, particularly when it comes to short-term memory functions. The other two major phospholipids in sunflower lecithin: phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol, both work with phosphatidylcholine to fortify brain and nerve cells.
A dosage of 35g of sunflower lecithin appears promising for treating serious brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia.

2. Lowers Cholesterol

Sunflower lecithin is a natural emulsifier of fats. Triglycerides and excess cholesterol are broken down in the blood and liver with the help of the linoleic acid content in it. Linoleic acid is a polyunsaturate that’s found in vegetable oils such as olive oil.
Note: Many experts agree that consuming small amounts of olive oil may have more benefit to lowering cholesterol than lecithins do. The book’s still out on supplementing with lecithin specifically for lowering cholesterol levels; some studies show promising results, while others show zero improvements in total cholesterol or triglyceride levels after a month or two of use.

3. Liver Repair

You’ve learned that phospholipids are essential for fortifying nearly every cell in the body. The effects of sunflower lecithin help strengthen liver cells, but the fat-emulsifying benefits offered by linoleic acid help to reverse and prevent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; one of the leading causes of liver cirrhosis, type-2 diabetes and liver cancer.

Before sunflower lecithin, soy-derived lecithin was the main choice for supplementation.
Unfortunately, soy causes hormonal problems in both men and women due to its phytoestrogen content: sexual disfunction, endocrine system problems, breast growth, weight gain and other maladies plague those who consume soy products. Lecithin is extracted from soy using a chemical “solvent” called Hexane: a methylated cleaning agent known for it’s long term toxic effects on the human body.
Sunflower lecithin contains no phytoestrogens and is cold-pressed from the seeds, using no chemicals.

Phosphatidylcholine is a powerful antioxidant that halts the movement of free radicals throughout our bodies. Free radicals cause oxidative damage to cells which then causes premature (and natural) aging, as well as cancers of all kinds.

Sunflower lecithin contains high levels of oleic and linoleic acid. Both have been proven to speed up the healing process by increasing the speed at which pro-inflammatory cytokines are released to affected areas.
Note: Sunflower lecithin benefits internal wounds by consuming it, but should be applied topically on external wounds.

The phospholipids and fatty acid content in sunflower lecithin fortify nerve tissue and improve neurotransmitter activity. The main method of action that lecithin is known for with regard to nervous system benefits is that it’s the key ingredient in myelin sheath regeneration. Myelin sheaths are the backbone of individual nerve fibers and are responsible for the speed and efficiency at which nerve impulses are transported.

The linoleic acid breaks up the dangerous triglycerides and cholesterol: two of the main contributing CV risk factors for people with high blood pressure.

Acetylcholine deficiencies cause insomnia. Since sunflower lecithin contains choline, a direct precursor to acetylcholine, it’s possible to enjoy a better sleep – if you’re deficient to begin with.
Note: Some people complain of sleeplessness when supplementing with lecithin and other choline supplements. This is likely due to increased brain activity. Start with a smaller dose if taking it to help with sleep quality.

Lecithin is an ingredient used in the production of the synovial fluid which lubricates our joints. Supplementation with as little as 35mg of lecithin a day can help increase joint mobility, reducing the pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Sunflower lecithin has only recently become popular as a superfood. Soy lecithin is much cheaper to produce, but increasing knowledge of the dangers of the phytoestrogens in the latter have led to a public willingness to pay more for the sunflower variety, which is cold-pressed directly from the seed using the same extraction process as extra virgin olive oil.
Sunflower lecithin’s also used to add a creamy texture to foods like chocolate, margarine, almond milk, and certain baked goods.