Eggs - Unscrambling The Truth
- Date: 2008-07-18 - Word Count: 584
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Eggs, over the years there has been a lot of controversy about eating eggs, and their effect on your health. In our grandparents times it was taken for granted that eggs were good for you, they were the main item in many a hearty breakfast.
Along comes the anti-fat and anti-cholesterol brigades, and suddenly our little oval friends become the enemy. Once again this was another silly media frenzy (all hype and little fact) that everyone joined in with. Now eggs are being viewed with suspicion.
So, what are the facts? Are eggs all they're cracked-up to be? Read on, and find out why you should always keep a dozen of these little powerhouses on hand. (Eggs are your friends!)
First, eggs are an excellent source of low cost protein. In fact the protein in egg whites (egg white is mostly protein) is extremely bio-available, this means that your body can digest and use this protein very easily. Second, you can get your hands on eggs all year round (unless we run out of chickens.) You get around 6 grams of protein in an average egg, about 3-4 grams in the egg white.
Why were eggs suddenly viewed with suspicion? It had a little to do with the fact that egg yolks are moderately high in fat, and mostly because egg yolks are high in cholesterol. We all know that cholesterol is not good for you in high amounts, but here's the good news, study after study has shown that unless you have some type of genetic disorder, the cholesterol in egg yolks will not affect your cholesterol readings. Note: you will still get fat if you eat to many egg yolks!
Not only have studies shown that eggs do not significantly affect cholesterol levels in most individuals, but the latest research suggests that eating whole eggs may actually result in significant improvement in one's blood lipids (cholesterol) profile, even in persons whose cholesterol levels rise when eating cholesterol-rich foods.
Choline! What the heck is choline? Eggs are chock-full of this stuff, choline is usually listed as a B vitamin, our bodies make a small amount of choline but we need more. Choline is found in large quantities in our brains (and required for proper brain function), it is critical for maintaining cell flexibility and integrity. Choline is also a key component of acetylcholine. A neurotransmitter that carries messages between nerves, acetylcholine is the body's primary chemical messenger between nerves and muscles. Choline also plays a primary roll in reducing inflammation in the body! Some stats show that more than 90% of Americans and other westerners are deficient in this important nutrient - eat your eggs folks!
Here's some more eggselent news:
Eggs can improve cholesterol levels in most people
Eating eggs can improve your heart and vascular health
They help prevent blood clots
Decrease the chances of getting macular degeneration and cataracts - two nasty eye problems.
Egg yolks do contain saturated fat - before you panic though, saturated fat is required in small amounts for joint lubrication, brain function and in the formation of testosterone in men. (Which is why many men find their sex-drives becoming non-existent when they're on extreme low-fat diets!)
Eggs contain, excellent protein, choline, vitamins A, D, E & most of the B group, iron, phosphorous & zinc. Also, selenium & sulphur.
Last words, EAT YOUR EGGS. You can safely eat 2-3 whole eggs a day, and there are zillions of ways to prepare them, just don't go all Rocky Balboa on me and eat them raw. Salmonella is not your friend!
www.healthbites.net - Your free health newsletter
Along comes the anti-fat and anti-cholesterol brigades, and suddenly our little oval friends become the enemy. Once again this was another silly media frenzy (all hype and little fact) that everyone joined in with. Now eggs are being viewed with suspicion.
So, what are the facts? Are eggs all they're cracked-up to be? Read on, and find out why you should always keep a dozen of these little powerhouses on hand. (Eggs are your friends!)
First, eggs are an excellent source of low cost protein. In fact the protein in egg whites (egg white is mostly protein) is extremely bio-available, this means that your body can digest and use this protein very easily. Second, you can get your hands on eggs all year round (unless we run out of chickens.) You get around 6 grams of protein in an average egg, about 3-4 grams in the egg white.
Why were eggs suddenly viewed with suspicion? It had a little to do with the fact that egg yolks are moderately high in fat, and mostly because egg yolks are high in cholesterol. We all know that cholesterol is not good for you in high amounts, but here's the good news, study after study has shown that unless you have some type of genetic disorder, the cholesterol in egg yolks will not affect your cholesterol readings. Note: you will still get fat if you eat to many egg yolks!
Not only have studies shown that eggs do not significantly affect cholesterol levels in most individuals, but the latest research suggests that eating whole eggs may actually result in significant improvement in one's blood lipids (cholesterol) profile, even in persons whose cholesterol levels rise when eating cholesterol-rich foods.
Choline! What the heck is choline? Eggs are chock-full of this stuff, choline is usually listed as a B vitamin, our bodies make a small amount of choline but we need more. Choline is found in large quantities in our brains (and required for proper brain function), it is critical for maintaining cell flexibility and integrity. Choline is also a key component of acetylcholine. A neurotransmitter that carries messages between nerves, acetylcholine is the body's primary chemical messenger between nerves and muscles. Choline also plays a primary roll in reducing inflammation in the body! Some stats show that more than 90% of Americans and other westerners are deficient in this important nutrient - eat your eggs folks!
Here's some more eggselent news:
Eggs can improve cholesterol levels in most people
Eating eggs can improve your heart and vascular health
They help prevent blood clots
Decrease the chances of getting macular degeneration and cataracts - two nasty eye problems.
Egg yolks do contain saturated fat - before you panic though, saturated fat is required in small amounts for joint lubrication, brain function and in the formation of testosterone in men. (Which is why many men find their sex-drives becoming non-existent when they're on extreme low-fat diets!)
Eggs contain, excellent protein, choline, vitamins A, D, E & most of the B group, iron, phosphorous & zinc. Also, selenium & sulphur.
Last words, EAT YOUR EGGS. You can safely eat 2-3 whole eggs a day, and there are zillions of ways to prepare them, just don't go all Rocky Balboa on me and eat them raw. Salmonella is not your friend!
www.healthbites.net - Your free health newsletter
Related Tags: health, nutrition, food, diet, cholesterol, protein, eggs, yolk
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