by Nadine Johnson

Soybean – an annual crop plant of the legume family, native of the Orient, widely grown for its seed which contains much protein and oil. It is also grown as a forage and cover crop.

Lecithin – any of several phosphatides (fatty compounds) found in nerve tissue, blood, milk, egg yolk, soybeans, corn, etc. Used in medicines, foods, cosmetics, etc. (When you spray your pan with Pam, you are spraying with lecithin.)

These are the definitions provided by my dictionary. The lecithin supplement I take is derived from soybeans.

By 1995, I had gotten my osteoporosis under control by taking horsetail herb and Bone-Up®. Now I was having severe lower back pain which was radiating into my legs. The leg pain became so serious I found it almost impossible to walk. My chiropractor determined this situation was caused by a gigantic spur on my spine. This spur (probably caused by my osteoporosis) was pressing on nerves and causing the pain.

I was in much need of relief; therefore, an appointment was made with a neurologist. As usual, there was about a six-week wait before seeing this doctor. While waiting, I looked for alternative help. Somehow, I learned our nerves are wrapped in lecithin. It seems, as we age, this protective coating is lessened in density causing us to be more apt to experience pain. I began to take two lecithin capsules three-times daily. Of course, lecithin is in my daily vitamins and in my food, but at this time I evidently needed extra. By the time I saw the neurologist, I was much improved.

This doctor happened to approve of the use of alternative-health products. He suggested I continue my lecithin and monitor my situation. If, down the line, I felt I needed his assistance, I was to go back. My back and leg pain continued to improve until I was pain-free. I have never been back to the neurologist. I continue to take two lecithin capsules twice daily. As far as I know, I still have a spur on my spine.

Research revealed lecithin does much for our general health. Here are a few examples: Our brain is bathed in it (by taking lecithin, I am possibly avoiding Alzheimer’s disease); it aids in the control of cholesterol; it helps prevent hardening of the arteries. In fact, I have found listed over 50 health situations in which it is beneficial.

Around 1940, when I was 10, some farm program provided Daddy with a small supply of soybean seeds. This was something we had never heard of before. As an experiment, Daddy planted the seeds on his terraces. We watched them grow and produce pods similar to English peas. When they reached a certain maturity, we picked a mess (for those of you who are uninformed, a mess equals the amount needed to feed the family and expected guests). Then Mother cooked them as she cooked field peas. Not one of my family was hungry enough to eat that awful food!

I was probably 30 years old when I began seeing soybeans growing as a field crop. Possibly today, our Southern farmers are growing as much soybeans as they are cotton. I once heard Paul Harvey tell of soybeans’ entry into America. He also told they were slow to "catch on." Well, they might have been slow, but they appear to be going strong now.

I appreciate the many benefits we derive from soybeans, but I still do not plan to eat soy burgers or boiled soybeans for a county dinner.

Again, I advise you check with your doctor before taking herbal products.

Nadine Johnson can be reached at (866) 570-7302, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or P.O. Box 7425, Spanish Fort, AL 36577. She has a long history of involvement with herbs. She is also an independent distributor of Nature’s Sunshine Products.