Lecithin: Old-School Ripping Tool

Back in the day of Gironda, Pearl and Scott one of the more popular supplements was lecithin, a mix of phospholipids. According to the August ’10 Better Nutrition, it was first isolated in egg yolks, but your liver makes it from fat-rich foods in order to nourish cells and keep fats soluble in the bloodstream. Bodybuilders of yesteryear took it to help regulate cholesterol and to break down fat so that it wouldn’t accumulate as excess muscle-blurring adipose. They also believed it helped build muscle.

Lecithin contains the B-vitamin choline, which can convert to acetylcholine in the body. Acetylcholine helps transmit nerve impulses in the brain and nervous system, which has direct implications for improving muscular contraction, hence more effective workouts.

In addition, choline helps decrease homocysteine, an amino acid that has been implicated in cardiovascular disease and brain maladies, like Alzheimer’s disease.

You can get lecithin in such foods as fish, eggs, meat, nuts and soybeans. A supplement form is also available and would be a good addition to your supplement arsenal.