Lecithin and Pregnancy
At this time, not much is known about the benefits of using lecithin during pregnancy. Animal studies show that choline (a compound found in lecithin) is important for brain development, but there is not enough evidence to know for sure if the supplement is safe for pregnant women. If you are taking lecithin and pregnancy occurs, notify your healthcare provider.
A normal intake of lecithin through a healthy diet should be no cause for concern for pregnant women. However, it is not known if lecithin dietary supplements are also safe for pregnant women. It is a good idea to check with your healthcare provider before taking lecithin during pregnancy.
Many Web sites recommend that pregnant women take lecithin, stating that choline is important during pregnancy. Lecithin is a good source of choline. While it is true that choline appears to be important for brain development (at least in animal studies), there is not enough evidence to know for sure if taking lecithin supplements during pregnancy is safe (or even beneficial).
Just because lecithin is found in some foods does not mean that lecithin supplements are safe for use during pregnancy. Sometimes, a normal intake of some substances through food is perfectly safe while consumption through dietary supplements may cause problems. Often, dietary supplements provide substances at much higher doses, compared to a normal intake through food. Sometimes, the preparation process or other factors introduce contaminants or somehow change the components in ways that make the supplement unsafe for pregnant women. It simply cannot be assumed that a dietary supplement derived from a food source is safe.
If you are pregnant, it is always a good idea to have a discussion with your healthcare provider before taking any medication or supplement, including lecithin. A normal intake of lecithin through food is considered to be safe for pregnant women.