Liquid Lecithin Production

Producers generally extract lecithin from soybean oil and purify it by a process known as fractionation, which uses ethanol to dissolve certain phospholipids, such as phosphatidylcholine, and separate them from the pre-processed "gunk." However, producers are slowly moving toward alternative sources, because of governmental restrictions on the use of genetically modified crops.

Liquid Lecithin as a Choline Source

Because of its naturally high concentration of phosphatidylcholine, liquid lecithin serves as a source of choline, a component of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is essential for the function of the human nervous system.

Choline and Anxiety

A scientific study performed by Haukeland University Hospital in Norway and reported in the August 2009 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people who reported anxiety-like symptoms usually had lower blood levels of choline than healthy peers. The anxiety may be related to a reduction in the ability of cells to produce neurotransmitters and cell membrane materials, which use choline as a building block.

Food Additive

Because it is entirely nontoxic, some companies use lecithin as an emulsificant and lubricant in some foods and products. For example, it allows two normally immiscible substances to blend together. Lecithin serves this purpose in the production of some candy bars; manufacturers use lecithin to keep cocoa and cocoa butter from separating from each other and from other components of the candy bar.

Adjunct for Niacin Supplementation

Some people use high doses of niacin to reduce high cholesterol levels, but this can deplete choline levels. Lecithin often serves as an adjunct to this treatment because of its capacity to raise choline levels.

Source:

Hordaland Health Study: Choline in Anxiety and Depression

Vanderbilt University: Lecithin Supplementation

More Information:

ABC News: Soy Oil and Soy Lecithin