Egg Consumption Poses Risks for Diabetic Men
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and elevated LDL (”bad”) cholesterol is a main risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Eggs belong to the group of products rich in cholesterol (one egg contains about 200 milligrams of cholesterol, just 100 milligrams shy of the daily limit recommended to those at risk for heart disease), but at the same time they are a source of minerals, B vitamins, protein and monounsaturated fats, all of which have the potential to lower overall risk.
A new Physician’s Health Study that explored heart disease and cancer prevention among American male doctors suggests that consuming more than six eggs a week seems to raise the risk of dying from all causes. And diabetics seem to face an even higher mortality risk, according to the study that was limited to men.
All the participants of the study completed annual written questionnaires on daily egg consumption, stroke and heart attack incidence, diabetes status, cholesterol levels, and general dietary information.
Whereas egg consumption of up to six eggs a week was not associated with the risk of all-cause mortality, consumption of seven or more eggs a week was linked with a 23 percent greater risk of death.
Even more striking was the finding that mortality risk was much higher among those doctors with diabetes. Consuming seven or more eggs a week was found to double their risk of death from all causes, compared with diabetic doctors who ate just one egg each week. To explain this finding, the researchers theorized that diabetics might somehow convert dietary cholesterol more readily into blood cholesterol than people without diabetes.
Dieticians agree that eggs can be part of an overall heart-healthy diet. The white part of the egg is considered the gold standard for protein as it is ripe with protein, riboflavin and selenium and contains all the essential immunoacids needed for building muscle tissue. It’s one of the cheapest sources of protein as well. There are some good things in the yolk as well. But for those with high LDL it is highly recommended to watch egg consumption, and consume no more than two yolks per week.