Sunflower lecithin is an ingredient I used to see in chocolate bars or other food products and wonder if I was getting mildly poisoned! Because “lecithin” was an unfamiliar term to me, I assumed this must be a chemical or preservative.
Then, after giving birth to our oldest son, I experienced clogged ducts as my milk came in. I did a zyto session and the top recommended product for me was… lecithin!
After conducting some research, I learned a few things about lecithin. Lecithin is fatty substance known as a phospholipid found in egg yolks, soybeans, sunflower seeds, meat, seafood, dairy, and within our bodies (especially in the mucous layer of the intestinal walls). Phospholipids are part fat, part phosphate and part choline. On a cellular level, they protect the integrity and structure of the membrane.
Lecithin is an emulsifier, meaning it helps ingredients stick together and form a cohesive texture. It turns out that within the body, lecithin actually emulsifies cholesterol, breaking it down into smaller particles to prevent the formation of gallstones. Lecithin is incredibly supportive to the gallbladder, helping bile flow more smoothly and forming a protective coating on the gallbladder lining.
Along this vein, lecithin also emulsifies milk fats, making them less likely to clump together and clog ducts. It also alters the viscosity of breastmilk, making it less sticky so it can flow better through the ducts.
About 30% of the brain is made up of lecithin. Lecithin breaks down into choline, which is an essential precursor to acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter responsible for muscle co-ordination, parasympathetic nervous system function, circadian rhythm, memory and focus, and more. Lecithin also contains phosphatidylserine, which plays a vital role in cortisol regulation and exists within the cell to improve communication and signalling between cells. Interestingly, during apoptosis (cell death), phosphatidylserine flips to the outside of the cell, which signals macrophages to engulf and remove the dying cell.
That’s some very important stuff! And it doesn’t end there. Applied topically, lecithin locks in moisture, protects against oxidative stress, reinforces the skin barrier, softens and smoothes skin, and promotes an even skin tone, while providing a “slip” to lip balms and other products.
There is a difference between soybean and sunflower lecithin that is helpful to be aware of. Organic liquid sunflower lecithin (which is what I use in my products) is obtained through a mechanical process: dehydrating and cold-pressing the seeds, mixing the pressed oil with water which causes the lecithin to seperate, and then drying the separated lecithin to reduce moisture content. This results in liquid sunflower lecithin.
While a small amount of soybean lecithin on the market is expeller pressed without the use of additional chemicals, the vast majority is obtainted through the use of chemical solvents, mainly hexane, which leave traces in the final product. Additional steps like evaporating, stripping, and desolvation are then needed.
I source my sunflower lecithin from Azure Standard: a USA based co-op that I trust. Know when you read my labels that sunflower lecithin is a clean, beneficial ingredient that can be a life-saver for breastfeeding mothers or folks who struggle with gallbladder health!
