Eggs increase blood cholesterol

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

FALSE.. Cholesterol from eggs does not automatically raise blood cholesterol! How so? When we eat a high cholesterol-containing food, the excess dietary cholesterol is removed from the body through the liver which also down-regulates the production of cholesterol in the body. Cholesterol is essential to make estrogen, testosterone, vitamin D, and other vital compounds.

Keep in mind that “saturated fats” found in animal products like butter, ghee, fatty meats and full fat dairy, have a more significant effect on blood cholesterol than dietary cholesterol itself, making it a bigger threat to heart health.

• Limit the number of eggs consumed to 2-3 per week for people with a high risk of heart disease.
• Choose lean cuts of meat and low fat versions of dairy.
• It is true, egg yolks carry cholesterol, fat and saturated fat of the egg. However, other nutrients come with that: fat-soluble vitamins (e.g. Vitamin A and D), essential fatty acids and other nutrients (e.g. B vitamins, carotenoid, etc).

By Ms. Ayla Coussa

Clinical Dietitian