Truth About Eggs
I remember watching old movies where you’d see body builders consume a dozen raw eggs for breakfast. I mean these guys would be filling up a cup of the good stuff and chugging it down as a source of quick source protein. Since then, with the advent of whey protein powders and shakes and reports of the bad stuff in eggs (cholesterol in the yolks), you see fewer and fewer lifters eating so many eggs. But are eggs that bad for you?
The truth is eggs are good for you but, like many other foods, only in moderation. The concern comes from the cholesterol found in the yolks of the egg. The American Heart Association warns that you should only consume 300 mg of cholesterol per day and the yolk of one large egg contains about 210 mg. So, you can eat an egg a day as long as you control how much other cholesterol you eat.
There are two sources of cholesterol - the food you eat and the amount your body makes. Most of your consumed cholesterol comes from animal fats though there are trace amounts in some plants. Your body’s production (the reason why genetics plays a role) of cholesterol is in reaction to what you eat, so manage that and you can play a small role in controlling your cholesterol.
Bottom line - an egg a day is safe as long as you manage your other cholesterol consumption.
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Aug 26, 2008 - 01:08:54Truth? Or not? I’ve eaten eggs all my life. At least two a day. Typically three or more. They are the cornerstone of my breakfast. Being extremely health conscious, this has also caused me to do research to make sure that I wasn’t doing something harmful in the process. What did I discover? Enough conflicting reports to prove to me two things.
First, scientists are not sure that dietary cholesterol directly affects an individual’s cholesterol levels. In fact, it seems that the cholesterol produced by your body is more of a problem than dietary cholesterol. Second, scientists are not even sure that saturated fats directly affect an individual’s cholesterol levels. Talk to any bodybuilder worth his salt who really knows his nutrition and he’ll tell you that eggs being bad for you is a bunch of bunk.
As for bodybuilders moving from eggs to whey, there are a number of reasons for this. First and foremost is bioavailability. Your body can make use of 100% of the whey protein ingested–nothing goes to waste. Second is cost. Whey is so cheap it is probably about the most cost effective source of protein out there. Finally you have convenience. Nothing is quicker than taking a glass of water, adding two scoops of whey, stirring, and drinking.
Bottom line - don’t fear the eggs!
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