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Lecithin:
A Safe & Amazing By:
Dr. Teresa Denney Q:
Is Lipo-Lyte safe? A: Yes. Lipo-Lyte is a special, injectable mixture containing
purified lecithin, as well as specific vitamins and nutrients to stabilize
and optimize the fat-dissolving effect. Lecithin is a naturally occurring
substance in the body, first used in the 1950s to reduce cholesterol and
triglyceride levels in the blood. Q:
Is injectable Lecithin FDA approved? A: Yes. In April 1999 the Food and
Drug Administration approved a Baxter Healthcare Corp. product, which
contains lecithin, for injection. Since this time, Baxter and Compounding
Pharmacies have been able to produce this product for injection. Q:
How can it be assured that the appropriate
amount of fat — neither too
little nor too much — is dissolved? A: The Lipo-Lyte procedure has
proven already to be safe and very predictable. Along with the clinical
experience of our doctors and staff, results are very consistent. Q:
If the Lipo-Lyte shot dissolves fatty tissue, does it also dissolve other
tissue? A: No. Lipo-Lyte activates certain
enzymes, which naturally dissolve fat cells only. Thus, only the selected
areas are slimmed and trimmed. Q:
What is the future of Lipo-Lyte? A: Our center has signed an exclusive collaborative agreement
with a biotechnology research institute in Denver, Colorado to determine
if large quantities of fat stores can be safely dissolved with Lipo-Lyte. Lecithin is the
most abundant of the phospholipids. It is a fatty food substance that
serves as a structural material for every cell in the body. It is an
essential constituent of the human brain and nervous system. It forms 30
percent of the dry weight of the brain and 17 percent of the nervous
system. Lecithin is also
an important component of the endocrine glands and the muscles of the
heart and kidneys. It makes up 73 percent of the total liver fat. Nervous,
mental or glandular over-activity can consume lecithin faster than the
body can replace it. This may render a person irritable and exhausted. It
is, therefore, of utmost importance to add lecithin to the diet, if the
body’s own supply decreases — as in old age or working under stress. Lecithin is
derived from the Greek word “likithos,” meaning “egg yolk.” Egg
yolk is a rich source of lecithin and also a rich source of cholesterol.
This combination makes it possible for the lecithin to emulsify
cholesterol. Vegetable oils, whole-grain cereals, soybeans, liver and milk
are other rich sources of lecithin. The cells of the body are also capable
of synthesizing it as needed, if several of the B vitamins are present.
Since these B vitamins are generally removed when grains are refined,
people who eat exclusively white flour products are lacking them. The Benefits of Lecithin The action of lecithin on the heart is the
most important of all its proved benefits. It achieved its popularity
initially in this area. Cholesterol is a fatty substance that tends to
collect in the walls of the arteries and veins, thus narrowing them. This
may eventually lead to a fatal blood clot. Scientific studies have shown
that lecithin has the ability to break up cholesterol into small particles
that can be easily handled by the system. With sufficient intake of
lecithin, cholesterol cannot build up against the walls of the arteries
and veins. Like cholesterol, lecithin is continuously
produced in the liver, passes into the intestine with bile and is absorbed
in the blood. It helps in the transportation of fats. It also helps the
cells to remove fats and cholesterol from the blood and to utilize them.
It increases the production of bile acids made from cholesterol, thereby
reducing the amount in the blood. Thus, cholesterol can cause trouble only
if lecithin is lacking in the system. All atheroscleroses or change in the
arterial walls are characterized by an increase of blood cholesterol and a
decrease in lecithin. It has been shown that experimental heart disease,
produced by feeding cholesterol, could be prevented merely by giving a
small quantity of lecithin. Atherosclerosis has been produced in various
species of animals by increasing the blood cholesterol or decreasing the
lecithin. In normal health, a diet high in fat
tremendously increases the production of lecithin. This helps in changing
the fat in the blood from large particles to smaller and smaller ones. In
case of atherosclerosis, however, lecithin in the blood remains very low,
regardless of the quantity of fat entering the blood. The result is that
fat particles remain too large to be able to pass through the arterial
walls. A more serious situation can develop if there is lack of lecithin
in cells also. Besides reducing the cholesterol level in
the blood, there is mounting scientific evidence to suggest several other
benefits from lecithin. It has been suggested that its intake in
sufficient amounts can help rebuild those cells and organs which need it.
Lecithin helps to maintain their health once they are repaired. It may
mean that a deficiency of lecithin in the diet may be one of the causes of
aging and that its use may be beneficial in retarding the aging process. Edward R. Hewith, in his book, “The Years
Between 75 and 90,” says, “With older people, the fats remain high in
the blood for from five to seven hours and in some cases as long as 20
hours, thus giving the fats more time to become located in the tissues. If
lecithin is given to older people before a fatty meal, it has been found
that the fats in the blood return to normal in a short time, in the same
way they do in younger people.” In some cases, the cosmetic effect of
lecithin does as much for the mental outlook of persons as it does for
their physical well-being. It has been found to eliminate yellow or
yellow-brown plaques on the skin or around the eyes caused by fatty
deposits. It is a natural tranquilizer, which is beneficial in nervous
exhaustion. It can produce great alertness in elderly people. Some studies have indicated that lecithin
increases the gamma globulin in the blood. This helps fight infection. It
provides an increased immunity against pneumonia. It has also been found
to lower blood pressure in some people. In combination with vitamin E, it
has proved helpful in lowering insulin requirements in diabetics. It has
also proved valuable in the treatment of certain skin ailments, including
acne, eczema and psoriasis. Lecithin has been suggested as a sexual aid.
It was used in Germany 30 years ago as a restorative of sexual powers, for
glandular exhaustion and nervous and mental disorders. Seminal fluid is
rich in lecithin. Because of its loss from the body, its need for men is
regarded as especially great. Its use is also considered valuable in
minimizing pre-menstrual and menopausal tension. Dr. N.A. Ferri, an eminent physician, remarks, “Lecithin has a versatile function in life. It is an extremely important factor in the digestion and oxidation of fats, thus creating more muscle and glandular activity, resulting in greater body exertion and less fat accumulations. Lecithin is essential not only for tissue integrity of the nervous and glandular system in all living cells, but has been regarded as also the most effective generator and regenerator of great physical, mental and glandular activity. Shattered nerves, depleted brain power, waning activity of vital glands, find in lecithin, especially in the cellular structure of the nervous system and endocrine glands, a source of dynamic energy.” Dr. Teresa Denney is an osteopathic
physician who has studied nutrition for over 30 years and youthful or
anti-aging medicine for over 20 years. She is the medical director for
Integrated Healthcare in Kahala and can be reached by calling 732-0888 or
online at www.integratedhealthcarehawaii.com. |
