In the past, eggs have gotten a bad rap, but now they are often touted as a top health food, so are eggs good or bad? Please read on to find out if eggs are right for you. Eggs provide 18 different vitamins and minerals while being low in carbohydrates and higher in protein and lipids which makes them nutrient dense for their relatively inexpensive price. They also have been shown to contain biologically active compounds that reduce chronic and infectious disease and promote brain health.1
Of course, the health and diet of the laying hen also impacts nutrition content. Ideally, hens would be raised in a spacious, free-range outdoor environment during the day and a clean, dry, and safe indoor space at night time. Such environments reduce stress and optimize health as they allow chickens to engage in their natural behaviors. Chickens’ diet should consist of high quality feed and various fruit and vegetable scraps supplemented by insects found while foraging.2 The easiest way to find eggs from hens raised in optimal conditions is to buy them from a trusted friend or local farmer whose flock you can visit to observe their living conditions (or consider raising them yourself!). You can also find local farmers at localhens.com. If shopping in the grocery store, look for eggs labeled “pasture-raised” and/or certified organic. You can learn more about what egg labels mean at humanesociety.org
Consuming dietary cholesterol, such as that found in egg yolks, is not associated with an increase in blood cholesterol levels. Only one-third of people experiencing elevated blood cholesterol levels are actually impacted by the consumption of dietary cholesterol with factors such as ethnicity, genetics, hormonal status, and overall dietary habits playing a role in determining exact effects
So, how do you know if eggs can fit into your healthy lifestyle? Schedule a consultation with Great Lakes Integrative Medicine for more comprehensive assessment of your cholesterol.
댓글