In today’s market, there is a significant number of supplements, which promise to solve some of your problems – they can help you with your skin, hair, nail problems. With your general health and beauty issues too.
They also promise to resolve some of your most severe health problems or at least ease its symptoms. Sometimes those supplements are beautifully packed and promise to do miracles.
But, the ugly truth is that are filled with chemicals, they are artificial and usually do more harm than good. Is there anything safe and natural and helpful at the same time that can be bought? Yes, there is.
On the market, there are some products, which are completely natural, organic and manufactured naturally and safely. They are made from active elements which ensure to solve of your health/cosmetic issues. Sunflower lecithin is one of those supplements.
You can find it in almost any country, and many recognize its beneficial characteristics. It has been used for years because people saw that sunflowers seeds are useful in more ways. They have many uses, and some of them are yet to be discovered.
What is sunflower lecithin?
There are two kinds of lecithin on the market –soy and sunflower lecithin. These two are most known and most popular lecithins there is, and they are used abundantly.
The truth is that sunflower lecithin is a more expensive option, but its price is partly justified because sunflower lecithin has some advantages over soy lecithin. They are:
- Soy is usually GMO, some people have soy allergies, and it can be derived by using deadly chemicals. Also, some experts say that consuming soy lecithin can elevate your estrogens level very high, so in the long term, it can lead to cancers or thyroid dysfunctions.
- On the other hand, sunflower lecithin is extracted without the need for potentially toxic chemical solvents and is processed through a cold press system (similar like in the production of olive oil). Sunflower lecithin is a chemical-free and raw supplement. There are no known allergic reactions caused by this product and side effects of any kind.
- Sunflower lecithin is free of the phytoestrogens, unlike soy version of lecithin. Phytoestrogens can cause the human body to produce excess estrogen. This extremely high levels of estrogen can lead to many different and dangerous metabolic problems( like weight fluctuations, early menopause, breast growth, sexual dysfunction, etc.) It can also cause autoimmune disorder to the adrenal glands and thyroid.
- Lecithin from sunflowers has a great fatty acid composition ( stearic acid and linoleic acid). The good fatty acid composition is believed to help lower cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, clear body from toxins and to reduce the risk of heart disease.
By the term lecithin, we usually describe yellow/brown jelly like substances which come from animals and plants. Lecithin has become a popular supplement particularly regarding improving cholesterol levels as well as improving the functions of the nervous and circulatory systems.
Sunflower lecithin is a type of phospholipid that is found abundantly in sunflower seeds. This substance is made in the process of dehydration of sunflower seeds, leaving it in three completely different parts: the oil, gum, and other solids. Lecithin is a byproduct of the gum part.
Nutritionally, it is an emulsifier that provides food its creamy, moist and smooth texture. It’s often used in chocolates, faux – butter and in bakery products, such as muffins.
Benefits
Lecithin is a vital component to every cell in our bodies. Lecithin and other phospholipids are produced naturally in many of the body’s major organs including the heart, liver, and kidneys. Lecithin helps in preventing the cell membranes from becoming hard and allows them to remain healthy. It is important because doctors say that cells have the ability to „remember“ and if you treat them wrong – your whole body is in jeopardy.
Also, doctors say that “bad” cells have the ability to multiply, creating dangerous tissues which can on long run turn into cancer cells.
So, the best way to prevent this processes is to start taking some natural and safe supplement – like sunflower lecithin. The easiest way to consume sunflower lecithin is to take a supplement.
Recent studies claim that there are many evidence that almost every human organ can benefit from regular use of sunflower lecithin.
1. Sunflower lecithin has amazing antioxidant properties
We are familiar with the importance of antioxidants – they clear our bodies to form toxins and even can prevent cellular and tissue damage caused by oxidative stress. This stress is „cradle“ of all future diseases (like heart or brain diseases or cancers). Antioxidants also can help you to stop aging processes. Sunflower lecithin is one of the natures most powerful antioxidants that can be found in nature.
2. Heart health and cholesterol control
For patients that have some coronary disease, sunflower lecithin can help prevent them or similar diseases. Some believe that it can reverse the damage that was caused by stroke or heart attack. Sunflower lecithin supplement can improve blood circulation which can prevent blood clots and other complications in the blood system.
When we discuss a problem that, as some statistic show, have almost every third person in the world, cholesterol, sunflower lecithin can be very useful. Lecithin is essentially a fat emulsifier which the body can use to get rid of the excess fats from your bloodstream. The most problematic excess fat in human organism are cholesterol and triglycerides, so sunflower lecithin can help you put cholesterol levels in control. The linoleic acid that can be found in sunflower lecithin in vast quantities is what makes this process possible.
3. Sunflower lecithin can regulate blood pressure
When we mentioned linoleic acid, we must say that it is fantastic for controlling blood pressure in the human body.
The problem occurs when cholesterol and triglyceride levels are so high, they can pile up on the arterial walls causing a dangerous health issue that is known as arteriosclerosis. Said in common language that means that a thickening of the arteries leads to greater blood pressure and on long term leads to a higher possibility of heart attack or stroke.
- Brain and Nervous system
Sunflower lecithin is abundant in fatty acids, and they are known that they can help the nervous system to function more efficiently. Consequently, those acids can boost the strength of nerve tissue and improve neurotransmitter activity.
The nerve impulses are stimulated so they can travel easier from one place to another. This way the cognitive health of a person who consumes sunflower lecithin is improved. The building blocks that are found in those acids are used to repair the body and produce brain and nerve cells. This process is crucial for students, people who are working in a stressful environment. Sunflower lecithin will help them to study longer and with better results, to focus and to have a better memory than ever before.
These are important signs that brain is healthy and is working properly. Some researchers also claim that sunflower lecithin can help beating degenerative brain conditions like dementia, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s.
5. Liver health
Those building blocks that are found in healthy fatty acids play a significant role in nourishing inner organs, especially liver. The liver is an organ that can auto – heal itself, but it also needs some help. Excessive fats that gather in liver make her prone to sickness, cysts, and cancers. When the liver has a lot of fat in itself, it doesn’t work properly.
On a long term, it can lead to more serious conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cirrhosis and possibly liver cancer. Sunflower lecithin is clearing the body from excessive fats and allows the liver to stay in good working condition.
6. Wound healing and arthritis
Because of its abundance in healthy fatty acids, sunflower lecithin can reduce inflammatory processes in the tissue and can heal injured areas on the body. You can apply sunflower lecithin directly to any minor wounds for immediate effect.
If you have arthritis or any other form of joint pain, supplementing with sunflower lecithin can have a very positive and an immediate impact. Lecithin helps lubricate your joints throughout your body. This way, by using sunflower lecithin you can stop rheumatism or arthritis in the long term. Lecithin supplementation can help prevent those diseases or cure existing symptoms.
Uses
It is common to use lecithin as a cooking ingredient, but many people take it as a nutritional supplement. It is praised by nutritionists for its phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylcholine elements. Phosphatidylcholine is a nutrient that aids in any mental function. It is beneficial for nervous system and brain.
Average men require a minimum of 600 mg of lecithin daily for normal body functioning, while average women require a minimum of 500 mg a day. If the male or female is of poor health or has severe health issues, for the maximum effects for both sexes, it is recommended to consume as much as 1200 mg each day. Consuming more than this recommended dosage is not believed to be dangerous in any way. Sunflower lecithin – E322 is a yellow-brown fat that is obtained by extraction from sunflower. Lecithin can be derived from animal and plant tissues (soybeans, eggs, milk, seafood, crayfish, cotton, and sunflower).
Nutritionists recommend around 1,200 mg of lecithin a day to achieve the nerve, brain, heart and muscle benefits. Lecithin supplement can be consumed as a liquid, granulated, powder form, and tablets. Many users believe that the granules are the most efficient way. The easiest way to drink sunflower lecithin is to mix it into drinks like juices or milk.
Sometimes, sunflower lecithin is used as an emulsifier as it helps to connect mixed ingredients (otherwise the parts would be separated, for example, water and oil). It is an additive in the production of ready-made food (baby food, chocolate, bakery products, vinegar, spices and ice cream).
Conclusion
Sunflower lecithin is a fantastic choice for those who want a great natural supplement in their daily health routine and don’t want to use the soy lecithin because they have concerns about its origin or quality. Sunflower lecithin is gluten free, suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
Lecithin is used to reduce triglycerides in atherosclerosis, to prevent narrowing of blood vessels and to prevent stroke. It is also used to cure liver problems; it is useful in fighting obesity and alcohol abuse because it stimulates the metabolism and prevents accumulation of fat in the liver.
Lecithin also regulates digestion, and it can help in reducing bloating. The list goes on – it is used to improve sleep quality (ideal for students and those who have stressful work environment) because it operates on the stimulation of memory centers. Sunflower lecithin also enhances the absorption of fat in general, relieves pain in the joints and muscles. It is used in weight loss, as it affects the improvement of metabolism. Recent studies have shown that it can be used as the additional remedy for Alzheimer’s disease and bipolar disorder.
How should I take sunflower lecithin?
Sunflower Lecithin is a natural ingredient of food and cells in the body, so there are no harmful effects and if you take more doses than usual.
Generally, for regulation fat in blood – doses are around 500-1000 mg per day. For helping with neurological disorders, you can take even 5g and more per day. It is best consumed with a meal.
