Lecithin

The Basics

What is Lecithin?

A fat that is essential in the cells of the body and can be found in many foods. Also used for treating memory disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Brand names for Lecithin

Cernevit

How Lecithin is classified

Complementary Therapies, Food, Phytotherapy, Phospholipids, Plants, Medicinal

Lecithin During Pregnancy

Lecithin pregnancy category

Category CNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Lecithin while pregnant

The use of Cernevit†-12 (multivitamins for infusion) has not been studied in human pregnancy. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Cernevit†-12 (multivitamins for infusion). It is also not known whether Cernevit†-12 (multivitamins for infusion) should be given to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Cernevit†-12 (multivitamins for infusion) should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. Pregnant women should follow the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowances for their condition, because their vitamin requirements may exceed those of nonpregnant women.

Taking Lecithin While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Lecithin?

Lecithin is a mixture of choline, choline esters, fatty acids, glycerol, glycolipids, triglycerides, phosphoric acid, and phospholipids, such as phosphatidylcholine that are normal components of human milk. Supplemental lecithin has been recommended as a treatment for plugged milk ducts,[1][2][3] and as an additive to human milk that is given to preterm infants via pumping through plastic tubing in order to prevent fat loss.[4] No scientifically valid clinical studies exist on the safety and efficacy of high-dose lecithin supplementation in nursing mothers or infants. Supplementation with one component of lecithin, phosphatidylcholine, increases choline, but not phosphatidylcholine concentrations in breastmilk and supplementation with choline increases choline metabolites, but not choline in breastmilk. Lecithin is usually well tolerated and is considered to be generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Dietary supplements do not require extensive pre-marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure the safety, but do not need to prove the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Dietary supplements may contain multiple ingredients, and differences are often found between labeled and actual ingredients or their amounts. A manufacturer may contract with an independent organization to verify the quality of a product or its ingredients, but that does not certify the safety or effectiveness of a product. Because of the above issues, clinical testing results on one product may not be applicable to other products.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Lecithin is a mixture of choline, choline esters, fatty acids, glycerol, glycolipids, triglycerides, phosphoric acid, and phospholipids, such as phosphatidylcholine that are normal components of human milk. Supplemental lecithin has been recommended as a treatment for plugged milk ducts,[1][2][3] and as an additive to human milk that is given to preterm infants via pumping through plastic tubing in order to prevent fat loss.[4] No scientifically valid clinical studies exist on the safety and efficacy of high-dose lecithin supplementation in nursing mothers or infants. Supplementation with one component of lecithin, phosphatidylcholine, increases choline, but not phosphatidylcholine concentrations in breastmilk and supplementation with choline increases choline metabolites, but not choline in breastmilk. Lecithin is usually well tolerated and is considered to be generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Dietary supplements do not require extensive pre-marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure the safety, but do not need to prove the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Dietary supplements may contain multiple ingredients, and differences are often found between labeled and actual ingredients or their amounts. A manufacturer may contract with an independent organization to verify the quality of a product or its ingredients, but that does not certify the safety or effectiveness of a product. Because of the above issues, clinical testing results on one product may not be applicable to other products.

Possible effects of Lecithin on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Lecithin

None listed