Disclaimer:
The information on this website is not intended as medical advice. If you have any concerns regarding a health issue, please seek advice from a medical doctor, then critically analyse all options before deciding on your treatment plan.
Sunflower lecithin: The good stuff
Sunflower-sourced phospholipids are obtained from non-GMO sunflowers, which require very little use of herbicides or pesticides.
Sunflower products typically produce virtually no allergies and result in a smoother tasting, nutritious mix.
Soy Lecithin: The not-so-good stuff
Soy-sourced phospholipids can contain harmful substances such as phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens interrupt normal hormone signalling, which can lead to health problems such as sexual dysfunction, thyroid dysfunction and increased risk of cancer.
The majority of soy products produced worldwide are made using GMO soy. This soy is modified to be resistant to a powerful herbicide known as glyphosate. The result of this modification is that farmers can apply large amounts of glyphosate to the crop, leading to significant residues in the soy products.
Glyphosate in soy:
Exposure to glyphosate residues are known to cause disruption of the human microbiome and adversely affect neurological health (12). Unfortunately, products containing phospholipids sourced from soy are exempt from GMO labelling, since all genetic material has theoretically been removed. The safest bet is to avoid soy products completely unless you are sure they are produced using identity-preserved organic soy.
Did You Know...
A certified organic product can contain GMO soy lecithin! That's because lecithin has been put on an exemptions list. If your product does not specially state non-GMO/organic origin lecithin, it is probably sourced from GMO soy.