Purported Soy Lecithin Benefits
Soy lecithin is claimed to be beneficial for a variety of different uses. Some of the claimed benefits of soy
lecithin include treatment of the following conditions:
Soy lecithin is sometimes claimed to increase semen production in men and to aid in weight loss. However, there is little evidence to suggest that it really works for most of these uses
(see Does Lecithin Work?).
When used as a food or medication additive, soy lecithin typically serves as an emulsifier or a stabilizer. In these situations, soy lecithin is not considered a
dietary supplement and is usually used in fairly small amounts (and should not be expected to provide benefits or cause side effects).
How Does Soy Lecithin Work?
Soy lecithin contains a mixture of numerous different compounds, such as:
Because soy lecithin is a complex mixture of different compounds, it is not entirely clear how it might work.
Soy lecithin contains choline, a compound that the body can use to make acetylcholine, an important brain chemical that is low in people with
Alzheimer's disease. Interestingly, soy lecithin contains more omega-6 fatty acids than
omega-3 fatty acids, which could potentially cause negative effects for heart health.
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