Easter Eggs…and the issue with Cholesterol!

Easter Eggs…and the issue with Cholesterol!

By Vera Jamin CEO Metabolic Balance Canada


Around Eastertime, an Easter egg hunt is a fun activity for parents and their kids. The Easter egg is a traditional part of Easter, and it symbolizes “fertility” and “new life.” The name Easter actually comes from the name Eostre—the Anglo-Saxon goddess of fertility. Have you ever made or hunted for Easter eggs? They are incredibly easy to make. You simply dye hard-boiled eggs with colorful dyes. (Natural dyes of course!) Stores are even carrying hard-boiled eggs before Easter. Eggs are one of the better nutrient-rich superfoods you can eat! They are also easy to prepare, and are a welcomed addition to a number of delicious dishes. That being said, some people still believe the rumor that eggs are unhealthy. The thought is, that since eggs and the yolk in particular are high in cholesterol, the eggs are partly responsible for an increased risk of atherosclerosis, heart disease, stroke, and heart attacks. But, is it true? 


What Is the Truth about Eggs and Cholesterol? 

Let’s scramble that rumor right now! The truth is the cholesterol in eggs is essential for every single cell membrane. Cholesterol is used to make hormones in the body, such as estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol. The yolk in particular is blamed for being high in cholesterol. However, it is the yolk that contains lecithin (phosphatidylcholine), which largely blocks the absorption of cholesterol into the body. Some people recommend a maximum of two to six egg yolks each week. However, there isn’t much evidence to support that theory. On the contrary, studies show that eating one to three whole eggs daily will increase HDL (high-density lipoprotein), or good cholesterol. At the same time, the total cholesterol and LDL (low-density lipoprotein), or bad cholesterol, hadn’t changed at all.1 Interestingly, eating the right kinds of eggs can actually lower your risk of heart disease, regardless if you have a pre-existing condition.2 Some research also published in the journal PLOS One indicates that higher egg consumption may reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome, which includes a cluster of conditions like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.3 Other research shows that high egg consumption is not associated with increased risk of stroke or heart disease.4 At the same time, eggs are more than just cholesterol. Eggs are also loaded with high-quality protein, choline, biotin, folate, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and antioxidants like zeaxanthin and lutein.6 One study also found that eating eggs enriched with omega-3 can also lower blood triglycerides, which is another heart disease risk factor. The study also showed that eggs actually help regulate and reduce cholesterol.5 In addition, eggs have also been observed to regulate inflammation and the absorption of cholesterol in the bloodstream, while balancing the ratio of HDL to LDL. This is important because, yet eggs help lower your risk of coronary heart disease.7 What are other benefits of eggs? Among their many benefits, eggs also promote eye health, aid in weight loss, maintain liver function and brain health, and they also keep your skin healthy. One more fun fact about eggs… Sometimes you may notice that boiled eggs have a blue-green border around the yolk. This is because protein compounds in the yolk release iron when you cook it too long. At the same time, hydrogen sulfide will form in the egg white. The combination of iron and hydrogen sulfide form iron sulfide, and this creates that blue-green border around the yolk. It may look a little weird, but it’s completely harmless!  


Are Eggs Part of the Metabolic Balance® Program?  

You bet they are! However, not everyone gets the same benefits from the same amount of eggs. As a result, egg consumption on personalized metabolic balance® nutrition plans may be limited to a maximum of five eggs per week. It is important note that you will only know how many eggs are best for you each week once you get your personalized metabolic balance® nutrition plan. Then, you can get cracking! What type of eggs should you include on your plate? Choose pastured-raised, organic eggs from chickens that haven’t been given antibiotics, growth hormones, or arsenic. Breathe in new life this spring, and eat and enjoy some eggs today!  




Sources: 1. Fuller, N.R., et al., “Egg Consumption and Human Cardio-Metabolic Health in People with and without Diabetes,” Nutrients, Sept. 3, 2015; 7(9): 7399-7420, doi: 10.3390/nu7095344. 2. Blesso, C.N., et al., “Whole egg consumption improves lipoprotein profiles and insulin sensitivity to a greater extent than yolk-free egg substitute in individuals with metabolic syndrome,” Metabolism, March 2013; 62(3): 400-410, doi: 10.1016/j.metabol.2012.08.014. 3. Woo, H.W., et al., “Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Associations between Egg Consumption and Metabolic Syndrome in Adults ≥ 40 Years Old: The Yangpyeong Cohort of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES_Yangpyeong),” PLoS One, January 25, 2016; 11(1): e0147729, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147729. 4. Rong, Y., et al., “Egg consumption and risk of coronary heart disease and stroke: dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies,” BMJ, January 7, 2013; 346: e8539, doi: 10.1136/bmj.e8539. 5. Bovet, P., et al., “Decrease in blood triglycerides associated with the consumption of eggs of hens fed with food supplemented with fish oil,” Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases, May 2007; 17(4): 280-287, doi: 10.1016/j.numecd.2005.12.010. 6. “Egg, whole, raw, fresh Nutrition Facts & Calo&ies,” SELFNutritionData; https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/dairy-and-egg-products/111/2, last accessed March 9, 2019. 7. Blesso, C.N., “Egg phospholipids and cardiovascular health,” Nutrients, April 13, 2015; 7(4): 2731-2747, doi: 10.3390/nu7042731. 

Find Your Closest Metabolic Balance® Coach

Select your closest metabolic balance® Coach by entering your postal code or for a general search click on the 'search' button. Are you interested in Metabolic Balance® and want to find a coach in your area?. If you are looking for a coach in your area, please be aware that the closest may not always be the best for you. 

Our coaches consist of Nutritional Consultants, Doctors, Pharmacists and Naturopaths. In addition, some sports studios and personal trainers are also offering Metabolic Balance® to their clients. Each of our coaches is trained to the same standard and must take part in our update training. 

All coaches are good, but not every coach is exactly right for each client. Therefore it is important to choose your coach aside from their proximity to you. In addition, compatibility and specialist area of expertise should be taken into consideration. A mutual understanding with your coach is essential for your success. It may be possible to go to different information evenings to help you choose your coach. We wish you luck with your search and look forward to welcoming you soon.

FIND A COACH

Find Your Closest Metabolic Balance® Coach

Select your closest metabolic balance® Coach by entering your postal code or for a general search click on the 'search' button. Are you interested in Metabolic Balance® and want to find a coach in your area?. If you are looking for a coach in your area, please be aware that the closest may not always be the best for you. 

Our coaches consist of Nutritional Consultants, Doctors, Pharmacists and Naturopaths. In addition, some sports studios and personal trainers are also offering Metabolic Balance® to their clients. Each of our coaches is trained to the same standard and must take part in our update training. 

All coaches are good, but not every coach is exactly right for each client. Therefore it is important to choose your coach aside from their proximity to you. In addition, compatibility and specialist area of expertise should be taken into consideration. A mutual understanding with your coach is essential for your success. It may be possible to go to different information evenings to help you choose your coach. We wish you luck with your search and look forward to welcoming you soon.

Find out More about Metabolic Balance®

metabolic balance® was developed following the observation that diet plays an important role in the regulation of the body’s natural functions and therefore also has an effect on wellbeing and health. We are all different, and what we consider to be normal foods and eating habits, may not be suitable for each and every individual. This self-regulation within the body can easily become unbalanced, which can lead to illness and obesity.