February 20, 2008
WHICH CAME FIRST THE HYSTERIA OR THE EGG?:
Unscrambling the myths of eggs and cholesterol (Samara Felesky-Hunt, 2/20/08, The Calgary Herald)
Increasing understanding about the causes of high LDL (bad) cholesterol levels has helped us unscramble the difference between cholesterol in the blood and cholesterol in food.Cholesterol is made naturally in the bodies of all animals and humans. It is necessary for the production of hormones and vitamin D, and to keep cell walls healthy. The liver makes most of the cholesterol needed by the human body so you shouldn't have to worry about getting enough from your food.
Dietary cholesterol is found in animal foods, such as meat, fish, poultry, dairy products and, of course, eggs. While the cholesterol in food can raise your blood cholesterol levels, researchers now know that consuming too much saturated fat and trans fat generally contributes more to unhealthy serum cholesterol levels.
Some research has even questioned the connection between egg consumption and cardiovascular disease. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed that risk of cardiovascular disease in men and women did not increase with increasing egg consumption. In fact, it showed quite the opposite. From their findings of analyzing more than 27,000 subjects, they indicated that the egg consumers actually had lower serum cholesterol levels than those subjects who abstained from eggs.
The Harvard School of Public Health's research showed the dietary cholesterol in eggs does not have a negative effect on blood cholesterol levels of healthy people. This and numerous other studies have shown there is no link between eating eggs and a higher risk of heart disease or stroke for healthy adults. Some recent studies have even shown that HDL (good) cholesterol increased when people ate an egg-supplemented diet.
Given this research, most of us can eat eggs without guilt.
So, basically, in trying to put an end to my Friday trip to Mickey D's for the steak and egg bagel The Wife is trying to kill me? Posted by Orrin Judd at February 20, 2008 7:38 PM
No, the Wife is saving you. You should eat the steak and egg but throw out the bagel.
Posted by: pj at February 20, 2008 8:37 PMBut eggs are a luxurious item now. In yester years, a dozen large eggs costed about 50 cents to 75 cents around Easter. Now it is $1.55 at Walmart, over $2.00 in regular super markets. I wonder if the lack of eggs is due to not enough illegals to tend the hens. Just wondering.
Posted by: ic at February 20, 2008 8:43 PMI'm not sure if you're Catholic but if you are at least on Fridays during Lent you should be throwing out the steak and eating the rest.
Posted by: Ray Clutts at February 20, 2008 8:46 PMNo Egg McMuffin? They're much better.
Posted by: ratbert at February 21, 2008 3:01 AMSausage McMuffin with Egg. The best. But not on Fridays during Lent. Then it's a Subway Tuna Salad w/ everything.
Posted by: Bartman at February 21, 2008 10:25 AM