An Egg a Day keeps a Cardiologist Away

Terminating a common belief that eggs are bad for cholesterol levels, a new study has revealed that eggs can protect against heart disease, cancer and eye problems.

Calling the egg as superfood, nutritionists say, however, egg yolks have long been damned because they contain bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein), but now it is discovered that blood-cholesterol levels are raised by saturated fats found in processed food rather by dietary cholesterol in eggs.

After analyzing 30 egg studies, Bruce Griffin of the University of Surrey found that people who consumed one or more eggs a day were at no more risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease than non-egg eaters. Dietary cholesterol has virtually no effect on blood cholesterol, he added.

"To view eggs solely in terms of their dietary cholesterol content is to ignore the potential benefits of eggs on coronary risk factors, including obesity and diabetes," Griffin says.

An egg offers 13 essential nutrients, all in the yolk. Eggs contain the nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin, which could help to prevent or even reverse the age-related eye problem macular degeneration (MD). It is an excellent source of Vitamin B and A. Its Vitamin E content protects against heart disease and some cancers, while Vitamin D promotes bone health. Female who eat an egg a day in their teens give themselves additional protection against breast cancer in later life because of high amino acids, vitamins and mineral content.

Emphasizing on that egg whites contain albumen, an important source of protein, and no fat, the researchers add further that eggs are rich in iodine, for making thyroid hormones, and phosphorus, essential for healthy bones and teeth.

“Eggs are also low in calories," says nutritionist Ishi Khosla of WholeFoods. A large egg contains only 75 calories and 5 grams of fat, and other research suggests they can help you lose weight.

Earlier, health experts used to recommend a maximum egg consumption of three a week to avoid a rise in blood cholesterol levels. But since evidence has indicated that it is saturated fat consumption that affects cholesterol, advice has changed.

However, now, UK government's Foods Standards Agency (FSA) says there is no limit as long as they form part of a healthy, balanced diet, still Dr R.R. Kasliwal of non-invasive cardiology, Escorts hospital says, “I will not advise heart patients to feast on them, because we have them fried.�