Are there any concerns with pregnant women taking lecithin?
I have read the paper by Bell et al, “Perinatal dietary supplementation with a soy lecithin preparation: Effects on development of central catecholaminergic neurotransmitter systems” (Brain Research Bulletin 17, 1986). That particular study examined the effect of lecithin at 5% of the net weight diet in pregnant rats and resulted effect on neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitter levels in offspringg were unaffected, but “utlilization” of the transmitters were affected, indicating altered synaptic characteristics. I must emphasize that this study was in rats, not humans, using a high level of lecithin. One tablespoon of lecithin granules contain 1,725 mg. This is less than what is present in one large egg (2,009.80 mg). Lecithin and choline have been shown to actually improve memory in rats when mothers were fed lecithin. But again, these are animal studies. I don’t think you need to be concerned. Clare M. Hasler, Ph.D.
