Egg Yolks: Maybe Not For Breakfast Anymore0

A recent publication in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology warns patients at risk of cardiovascular disease to keep their total dietary cholesterol under 200 mg per day. This may be difficult if you like egg yolks, which according to the study can contain 215 to 275 mg of cholesterol. In comparison, certain fast food meals can contain only 150 mg of cholesterol.

The publication was authored by Dr. David Spence of The University of Western Ontario, a stroke prevention expert, Dr. David Jenkins of the Risk Factor Modification Centre at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, a nutrition expert, and Dr. Jean Davignon of the Clinique de nutrition métabolisme et athérosclérose in Montreal, a cholesterol expert. According to Dr. Spence: “We wanted to put cholesterol into perspective, as there’s been a widespread misconception developing among the Canadian public and even physicians, that consumption of dietary cholesterol and egg yolks is harmless. Much of this has to do with effective egg marketing.”

[audio:http://hospitalstay.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/the-damned-machine-gun-etiquette-25th-anniversary-edition-20-turkey-song.mp3|titles=The Turkey Song]The publication addresses the  between fasting cholesterol and dietary cholesterol levels.  It was noted that two significant studies showed no harm from egg consumption in healthy adults. In addition to the findings on cholesterol, the publication notes that individuals who developed diabetes while consuming one egg each day increased their risk two-fold of cardiovascular disease.  The report also noted a significant increase in diabetes with regular egg consumption.

The authors conclude: “There is no question that egg white is classed as a valuable source of high-quality protein. Egg yolks, however, are not something that should be eaten indiscriminately by adults without regard to their global cardiovascular risk, genetic predisposition to heart attacks and overall food habits.”

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