When it comes to eating healthy, there is a lot of debate around eggs—first they’re good for us, then they’re bad for us, then good again. But what is the truth? It turns out that eggs are actually one of the healthiest foods you can eat.
Eggs contain large quantities of several important vitamins, but also contain at least small amounts of almost every vitamin or mineral that the human body requires. In this way, they are a great source of protein with all the added benefits of vitamins and nutrients.
However, the thing most people worry about when they think of eggs is the cholesterol. Eggs contain more cholesterol than most other foods, and we hear all the time that cholesterol is bad. However, it’s important to remember that just because a food item has a lot of cholesterol in it doesn’t mean that it will invariably raise cholesterol levels in your body when you eat it. Your liver is constantly producing cholesterol of its own, but it will modulate its production based on the amount of cholesterol your body takes in through food. But eggs seem to help the body improve the levels of “good,” HDL cholesterol and mitigate LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, thus overall improving the body’s cholesterol profile and possibly helping to reduce the risk of heart disease.
The nutrients in eggs are very good for the body. Eggs contain Choline, which helps the brain by helping in the production of important neurotransmitters. The protein profile of eggs has been described as near “perfect” for human consumption, as it contains all the essential amino acids the body requires in just the right proportions. Eggs are often used as a standard measure against which to compare other foods for their protein value.
Overall, eggs are extremely helpful for the human body, containing many of the essential nutrients we need to function properly. The final verdict seems to be that eggs are not only good for you, but one of the best foods you can eat. It’s important, however, to consult a doctor if you have certain medical conditions, as eggs have been known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes. The HDL Advanced Lipid Panel can show if someone has an unusually high ability to absorb dietary cholesterol, for which doctors would recommend that these people should limit cholesterol intake moreso than normal absorbers. The same test can show if a person is over-producing cholesterol. Nevertheless, everything else being equal, eggs are good for you. If you have any concerns about your diet or your health, be sure to contact Internal Medicine, Lipids and Wellness in Fort Myers, Florida at (239) 362-3005, extension 200.
