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2/15/2010 -Take Heart-Eggs are Egg-ceptional!
Take Heart-Eggs Are Egg-ceptional
URBANDALE, IA—Celebrate American Heart Month this February by raising awareness about cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in America. Take heart in knowing that more than 30 years of cardiovascular research has shown that healthy adults can enjoy eggs without significantly impacting their risk of heart disease!
One egg a day supplies 215 milligrams of cholesterol—not enough to push you over the 300-milligram daily cholesterol limit recommended by the American Heart Association. Cholesterol plays an important role in overall health. It is used to build cell walls and to produce vitamin D, digestive juices and many hormones. Our bodies simply cannot function properly without a certain amount of cholesterol, which is why our bodies produce it.
Yet, the myth linking eggs and their effect on blood cholesterol has been a difficult shell to crack and a topic Kevin Schalinske, Ph.D., associate professor in the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department at Iowa State University, often addresses with his students.
Clinical studies prove that diets high in saturated fat and trans fatty acids have been correlated with increased plasma cholesterol levels, which may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
“Contrary to earlier beliefs, egg consumption is not a driving force in altering plasma lipid levels, the primary driving force is saturated and trans fats,” said Schalinske.
Eggs have always been an excellent choice for a healthy diet. Not only do they provide high quality protein, they are low in saturated fat (1.5 grams per egg), contain only 70 calories and have no trans fat. Eggs also contain vital compounds such as choline, which is essential for a healthy metabolism and crucial for fetal brain development during pregnancy. Eggs also contain lutein and zeaxanthin, which are known to lower the risk for cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
For more information on how you can include the incredible egg in your diet visit www.iowaegg.org or call 1-877-IOWAEGG.
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Cayla Westergard
Iowa Egg Council, Director of Consumer Affairs
1-877-IOWAEGG
cayla@iowaegg.org
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