Lecithins are complex mixtures of different phospholipids, as for example phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylinositol (PI) and phosphatidylserine (PS). They all show different technological functionality but especially very specialized nutritional properties.

Using modern technologies lecithins can be fractionated, specific phospholipids can be concentrated or even isolated. Tailor made composition, selected raw materials but also isolated phospholipids allow to adjust application properties to the target application.Lecithins and phospholipids are of rapidly growing attractiveness for the food but also functional food and supplement industry.

Promoting cell protection

Phospholipids are important constituents of lecithin and play a major role in the growth, maturing and functioning of all body cells. As central building blocks of cell membranes, phospholipids have a strong influence on cell structure and metabolism, and hence on overall health.

The functional attributes of each cell are highly dependent on the phospholipid composition of its membrane. Since the equilibrium of the phospholipids in the membranes can be influenced by taking additional phospholipids, they are regarded as versatile nutrients for cell membranes. Phospholipids are involved in a large number of metabolic processes, including fat absorption, cholesterol metabolism, fat transport, blood clotting and nerve function.

Versatile Membrane Nutrition

Phospholipids are vital to the human body. Even the tiniest cell in the human body contains phospholipids – and constantly needs more. While the body can produce them itself, the synthesis is a complex process requiring adequate nutritional conditions and a coordinated, smoothly functioning enzyme system.

The broad variety of functions triggered or controlled by phospholipids in the human body indicates that the substance plays an extremely important role in human health, either individually or in combinations.Phospholipids are important for general fortification and strengthening of the body. They can help the body metabolize fat and cholesterol, thus positively impacting the cardiovascular system. Due to lipoproteins, phospholipids can enhance a general reduction of the blood cholesterol level and help promote cell protection in general, especially the protection of liver cells.

Phosphatidylserine (PS), is part of all cell membranes in organisms. Brain and nerve cells are significantly rich in PS. Originally, PS was obtained by extraction from bovine brain. Following the mad cows disease (BSE), alternative processes were developed to obtain PS from Soya-Phospholipids. Nowadays, PS is obtained from soya and no longer from bovine raw material.

How important is PS for living organisms?

PS is known as an “ortho-molecule,” a substance occurring in human beings as well as in animal organisms. The concentration of PS in nerve and brain tissue is significantly high, a hint to its importance for the correct function of these physical areas.

Are there studies on the effects of using PS in food?

Approximately 60 clinical studies are available, 18 of them double-blind placebo tested, targeting concentration and stress relief, dementia and age related memory decline. PS is well-tolerated by metabolism and there are no known side-effects when taking PS. PS from soya has been globally and successfully marketed since 1994 as a dietary supplement. This nutrient can revitalize memory, learning, concentration and even vocabulary skills; all functions that decline with age.

It also benefits other brain activities like coping with stress and fighting depression. In young and healthy men, it lowered the production of stress hormones linked to strenuous exercise and eased stress-related mood symptoms in the elderly. In summary, the research demonstrates the benefits of PS for people of all ages. It is the nutrient of choice to improve cognitive decline, to help people cope with stress, and to aid children suffering with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Several studies have proven its effects on early Alzheimer symptoms and on dementia. PS has even shown to significant improvements in physical performance.

PS is non-toxic, well-tolerated by the body and shows effects already at a dosage level of 100mg active substance per day.The effect for PS is mainly based upon 3 physiological mechanisms:

• Enhanced release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine
• Increased dextrose metabolism in the brain
• Regeneration of the age related declined density of the neural network of dendrite fibers

During the last 25-30 years, an abundance of independent medical research has demonstrated that phosphatidylcholines play a central role in the metabolism.

• Choline is the principal component in the building of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine
• Phosphatidylcholine gives structural stability to cell membranes and provides a reserve supply of choline
• Phosphatidylcholine is a main membrane component surrounding fat-transportation lipoproteins
• Choline participates in methyl-group metabolism. The CH3-group is a component of numerous important biological compounds

Soya PC is a precursor of highly bioavailable choline and choline offers two major benefits:

1. it is the substrate for the biosynthesis of acetylcholine, a major neurotransmitter responsible for cognitive performance and muscular functions and
2. choline helps reducing homocysteine, besides cholesterol a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.

Soya PC has proven benefits for liver health, it improves alcohol and viral infection dependent liver damage, detoxifies liver tissue from toxins, chemical and mushroom poisons and – on top – reduces elevated blood cholesterol levels.