Hello Christi; I as I wrote in my blog article on eggs and egg yolks, I disagree with the common wisdom that egg yolks are bad for us. Rather, I believe it is the over-all diet that is a problem. Egg yolks in a breakfast that also includes bacon and greasy hash browns is bad. Is it the yolks, bacon or hash browns the problem. None of the above. It is the combination of all these high saturated fat and cholesterol sources entering the body all at once that is the problem. Is the burger, fries or chocolate shake the problem in the fast food lunch? None of the above. It is the overload of saturated fat and cholesterol (as well as refined carbohydrate and total calories that is the problem. Under your question (below) I am pasting the abstract from a recent (2004) scientific review published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition on the specific topic of whole egg consumption. The opinion of this researcher matches my own. I also put the link to his paper so that anyone who wants to read the evidence can do so. Sincerely, Clyde
Hi Dr. Clyde, I was told by a coach that I should *never* eat egg yolks (he saw me cooking eggs once at my house), because of cholesterol, and other reasons. I am an active triathlete on the Cal Triathlon Team, and I try to keep a very balanced diet--everything in moderation, about 8-10 eggs per week, with limited fish/red meat/chicken/etc. and I try to eat lots of veggies, fruits, whole grains, etc. I guess my question is, how "bad" are egg yolks? If I am eating 1-2 a day or less, is it really terrible for me? I train daily and try to eat as healthy as possible, I just like the taste of "real eggs" and not eggbeaters. :) Thanks!!!
PAPER THAT REVIEWS THE EVIDENCE ON WHOLE EGG CONSUMPTION: A review of scientific research and recommendations regarding eggs. Kritchevsky SB, J Am Coll Nutr. 2004 Dec;23(6 Suppl):596S-600S. ABSTRACT: For much of the past 40 years, the public has been warned away from eggs because of a concern over coronary heart disease risk. This concern is based on three observations: 1. eggs are a rich source of dietary cholesterol; 2. when fed experimentally, dietary cholesterol increases serum cholesterol and; 3. high serum cholesterol predicts the onset of coronary heart disease. However, data from free-living populations show that egg consumption is not associated with higher cholesterol levels. Furthermore, as a whole, the epidemiologic literature does not support the idea that egg consumption is a risk factor for coronary disease. Within the nutritional community there is a growing appreciation that health derives from an overall pattern of diet rather than from the avoidance of particular foods, and there has been a shift in the tone in recent dietary recommendations away from "avoidance" messages to ones that promote healthy eating patterns. The most recent American Heart Association guidelines no longer include a recommendation to limit egg consumption, but recommend the adoption of eating practices associated with good health. Based on the epidemiologic evidence, there is no reason to think that such a healthy eating pattern could not include eggs. FOR THE ENTIRE PAPER CLICK HERE.
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