Eggs and Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a must for every human body. The secret of success is that cholesterol levels should be at appropriate levels. With cholesterol on appropriate levels it plays a life-giving role in many functions of the body. When cholesterol is at a good level it works to build and repair cells, produces hormones such as estrogen and testosterone, and produces bile acids which are proven to aid in the digestion of fat.

On the other side of the coin, too much cholesterol in the body causes the cholesterol levels to increase which in turn can cause damage by clogging the arteries. This puts a person at serious risk for diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. In fact, the major cause behind heart attacks and strokes is clogged arteries resulting from high levels of cholesterol.

With the discovery that there is a link between high blood cholesterol and an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease, it was therefore just logical to conclude that any food high in cholesterol should be avoided to prevent an increase of blood cholesterol levels. When you eat saturated foods such as dairy, meat and eggs your cholesterol elevates. On the other hand when you eat foods such as fruits, vegetables, and grains you can maintain optimal health as they do not contain cholesterol.

Unfortunately, with this in mind the image of the egg as wholesome food is tarnished. Eggs are rich sources of dietary cholesterol and have therefore been labelled as a "bad food". Eggs have been widely known for their high fat and high cholesterol content, providing about 200 mg of cholesterol per egg. Cholesterol from the egg comes mainly from the egg yolk. May be that is the reason why some people only eat the white of the egg – but fun is in that! Unfortunately eggs are still high in protein which the body also needs very much. As a compromise, health gurus are advising us to limit the intake of eggs to only one a week.

It is especially athletes who include eggs in their preparing diets for body build-ups. However, the crux of the matter is that when eggs are a necessity for a special diet always ensures that a qualified dietician is consulted. It is also good to know that what is most important when you have to take in eggs is the way in which eggs are prepared. The healthiest way is to cook or poach eggs, and when scrambled or baked as little oil as possible should be used. The spray type or vegetable oil is preferable.

Whatever the case, the bottom line is that cholesterol is a given and with this given, high blood cholesterol levels are a fact of live. Live or die with it!

Love,

Engela