We try to know what amount is high cholesterol and what high cholesterol build up does to our
hearts. A damage called atherosclerosis, may result after having accumulated high cholesterol in
arteries. How does this happen and where does the cholesterol come in our bodies in so high a
quantity? Liver produces cholesterol (add to it, consumption through food) and a lipoprotien
called LDL carries it to various cells to be used for metabolic activities. HDL (high density
lipoprotien) carries the excess back to liver. If HDL is less and cannot carry all the left over
cholesterol back then it remains stuck to arterial walls. They go on accumulating inside arteries
till passage way becomes very narrow. Add to it calcium coagulation to that over this long of a
period. Arteries harden and loose flexibility causing all sorts of danger and damages to heart.
Heart muscles suffer for want of blood (their nourishment). Reduced inflow means a back up of
blood behind heart, edema and swelling of many organs and parts in the body. Whew…
What is lecithin and what does it do to cholesterol?
Lecithin is a well tolerated surfactant used as a fat emulsifier. Lecithin is approved by FDA as
a safe additive that metabolizes entirely, so has no effect on kidneys. The major composition of
lecithin is vitamin B, inositolp, linoleic acid and choline apart from phosphoric acid.
Most researches till date have found lecithin to being helpful in emulsifying and lowering fats.
The test had been conducted by giving up to 5 spoons ful of lecithin for about 4 months. They
have been found to have reduced cholesterol. Though high pitched claims of lecithin reducing up
to 41% cholesterol are not confirmed yet, cholesterol under the influence of Lecithin emulsifies
and so looses stickiness to arterial walls. Apart from atherosclerosis it prevents thrombosis and blood clots too.
Natural sources of lecithin
Lecithin is a natural ingredient in our food. But beware, vegetable sources like the soyabeans,
have mostly (80%) unsaturated fatty acids as compared to animal sources that have high level of
saturated fatty acids. (Saturated fatty acids are sticky in nature).