Lecithin

[Kimmers]

Can anyone tell me what the Upper Tolerable Limit of Lecithin is for a 5 yo/45 lb. boy? Also, what kinds of things will happen if too much is given.

Thanks
Kimmers

[catatonic]

Kimmers,
Are you having problems you think may be due to the lecithin? As a phospholipid, it really is virtually impossible to overdose on lecithin. It is partly water soluble and actually helps disperse fats in the bloodstream, protecting your organs and blood vessels from fatty buildup. However, because of other vitamins that lecithin consumption effects and due to the food source from which it is derived, it may cause other problems, although I believe that is extremely rare.

Lecithin is normally derived from soy beans. If your boy has a sensitivity to soy, then this may show up in an allergic reaction to the lecithin.

Lecithin is high in the B vitamin choline as well as inositol. It aids in absorption of the B vitamin thiamine. I guess it's possible that if you've had trouble with the B vitamins, you might have trouble with lecithin because of its B-vitamin content.

If you're not having any specific problems but are just concerned that you're giving the lecithin safely, I'd say don't worry about it. You could pretty much eat the stuff like popcorn without hurting anything. The FDA has a toxicology monograph on lecithin citing studies that gave people as much as 83 grams per day (this is 3 OUNCES!!!!!) with no harmful effects. The FDA's conclusion is that there are no known hazards associated with lecithin consumption. (You can take a look at it, it's short: www.inchem.org/documents/jecfa/jecmono/v05je42.htm )

Hope this helps.
Cat

[Kimmers]

Hi Cat-

My son is not showing any specific problems (other than the fact that he's still not settling down). I was just wondering because the Lecithin I have for him is 1200 mg per capsule and I thought this sounded like way too much. And I wasn't sure if there were any overdose things I should be concerned about or watch for. I am glad you brought up the B-vitamin issue though, because that might be why we he is still not back to where he should be. I can't say for sure if the B-vitamins or even the lecithin have even caused a reaction because he still seems wild whether he is on them or not. Maybe I should take the lecithin out as well for awhile and see if he gets better without either of them. I am relieved to hear that it is very safe to give in larger doses and that I am not going to turn my son into a giant pumpkin or something!

Thanks!
Kimmers

[catatonic]

...or worse yet, a three-headed giant pumpkin!!!

I haven't tried the lecithin capsules, so I couldn't say from personal experience how well they work or whether they cause adverse reactions. We use the lecithin granules and I just dump a scoop of them onto something my boy will be consuming in the morning. Generally, this means I whirl it into his breakfast shake, but I have been known to toss it over his granola or oatmeal, and even sprinkle it on top of cheesy nachos. It doesn't taste at all bad and he never complains about having to take his lecithin, even in non-standard ways.

[Kimmers]

Well I will give the lecithin a a try for awhile and if I am still not seeing good results I will take it out for awhile and see if anything improves. I am starting to see some improvements but I think it is because I switched the fatty acids he was getting to include Omega 6 and 9 as well. I also bumped him up from 2 capsules a day to 4. So we will see if this helps for the long haul. I also bumped him up on magnesium and so far no tummy troubles-yeah!

Thanks
Kimmers

[AustinsMom]

I started lecithin for ds a few days ago. When I talked with my Pfeiffer nurse we decided it would be something good to add, but I waited till we had taken the new vitamins for awhile so I knew there were no reactions with them.

I'm using the gel capsule form, 1200 mg, the same dose that Kimmers uses. For those who use it--did you see any results with using it, or is it one of those things that works in the background with no noticeable difference? And if you see changes, when? Is it a long term thing like with the EFA's?

[catatonic]

I can't say I actually saw a behavioral change from the lecithin...it's always seemed to me more a background thing like the carnitine, very subtle.

However, after several days without lecithin, I see a change in behavior. My boy gets more hyper and the "look" starts to come back into his eyes. I can't really describe the "look" but I figure most of you with ADHD kids know what I mean. When you look in your child's eyes and it's like someone from another planet is in there, someone not entirely connected with earth as we know it.

A few days back on lecithin, and the "look" fades. I have no idea why this happens. Maybe the brain is really dependent on the additional amounts of choline the body manufactures from the lecithin. Maybe it's coincidence. At any rate, we are on day 4 of a one-week break from lecithin and amino acids. Just the basic vitamins this week. We'll se if we have any major changes.

[Kimmers]

I also haven't seen any dramatic or noticeabe changes in him since we started it but I still think it is important so I will continue to give it. I also haven't had him off of it either to see what happens without it...worth a try maybe?

Kimmers