Friday, December 19, 2008
There are many nutrients available to consumers to nourish the body and address certain issues. Most people are aware of well known vitamins and supplements, like Co Q10 or Vitamin C, but there are many others that can provide health benefits. I have been reading up lately on the new push for phospholipids, which are essential building blocks of cell membranes, helping keep a strong cell structure. Some phospholipids commonly available as dietary supplements are phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylcholine. When we consume phosphatidylcholine, also known as Lecithin, it is broken down into the nutrient choline, which the body cannot make on its own. Lecithin defines the cell membrane structure and helps facilitate the movement of fluids inside and outside the cell. Lecithin is also a component of myelin, the thin covering that protects brain cells and the spinal cord from damage. Lecithin is typically found in the cell membrane or cell walls of every single living cell of an organism, whether plant or animal in origin. Cell membranes or walls are semi-permeable, and responsible for regulating the passage of nutrients into and out of cells. Phosphatidylserine plays a crucial role in several membrane-linked activites, such as enzyme activation, maintenance of the cell’s internal environment, cell-to-cell communication and cell growth regulation. As a supplement, phosphatidylserine is most well known as a cognitive enhancement agent, but also may protect against the hormonal effects of stress. Modern dietary phospholipid supplements are clinically proven to be safe and beneficial for the brain, liver, intestinal tract and overall circulation. Due to our modern diet of unhealthy and unnatural foods, the dietary phospholipid intake has declined, mainly because of increased food refining and processing. The foods most enriched in phospholipids are eggs, muscle meats, milk and peanut butter.
Click to learn more about L.A. Lifestyle’s Lecithin Powder.
