*Health Tip of the Week: If You Eat Eggs, Eat the Yolk!*

Compared with the egg white, egg yolks are loaded with nutrition. The egg white has 3.5 grams of protein and 17 Calories, but virtually no other nutrients to speak of. The yolk, on the other hand, provides a good dietary source of vitamin B12, riboflavin, iodine, vitamin D, selenium, molybdenum, pantothenic acid, choline, iron, zinc, copper, phosphatidylcholine (lecithin), protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and some phytochemicals, lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids that “have a potential role in the prevention and treatment of certain eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, cataract and retinitis pigmentosa” (J Sci Food Agric. Ma. 2010 Jan 15;90(1):2-12.).

You may be wondering about the high cholesterol. However, “data from free-living populations show that egg consumption is not associated with higher cholesterol levels” (J Am Coll Nutr. Kritchevsky. 2004 Dec;23(6 Suppl):596S-600S). Egg yolks have properties that can help lower serum cholesterol levels. From our own church prophet, Ellen White says, “Eggs contain properties which are remedial agencies in counteracting poisons” (*Counsels on Diet and Foods, *367). However, she also says that the time of trouble is just before us and then we may have to discard milk and cream and eggs. Therefore, people everywhere should be taught how to cook without milk and eggs. But she cautions to not give up milk, cream and eggs too soon and bring trouble and death upon yourself, “But my message is that you must not bring yourself to a time of trouble beforehand, and thus afflict yourself with death.” Milk, cream, and eggs are part of the most healthful diet, in moderation. (CDF 202, 206, 355, 470).

Enjoy a well-cooked egg now and then!

Eggs
Michael Greger M.D. · Last Updated on March 10, 2017

Despite the powerful egg industry’s best efforts to put a “healthy” spin on egg consumption, eggs contain high levels of cholesterol and may contain carcinogenic retroviruses, heterocyclic amines, toxic pollutants (such as arsenic, perfluorochemicals like PCB, phthalates, flame retardant chemicals, dioxins), and Salmonella (see here and here). Consuming just one egg per day may significantly shorten our lifespans, increase the levels of the cancer-promoting growth hormone IGF-1, and increase our risk of heart disease, kidney stones, stroke, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and some types of cancer (such as pancreatic, breast, and prostate).

Eating a plant-based diet may improve mood, lead to weight loss, lower the risk of cataracts, neurological diseases, food poisoning, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, help reverse rheumatoid arthritis, and may increase lifespan. This may be due in part to the arachidonic acid, cholesterol, sulfuric acid, choline, methionine, and sex hormones in eggs and the relative lack of antioxidant phytonutrients.

This is sort of off topic on this, but I really think cholesterol levels have much more to do with genetics than diet. I ate meat for many years. A lot of it. I also eat eggs. I'm diabetic and unable to exercise, and my cholesterol level is 135 with high levels of good cholesterol. My wife has never eaten meat, eats very few eggs, uses very few dairy products, and has a cholesterol level of 227 and walks for exercise pretty regularly. Doctors are always wanting to prescribe some type of medicine for her to lower her cholesterol levels.

Now, if diet was the sole cause of cholesterol levels hers should be low and mine should be high. Just the opposite is true.

I have a lot of respect for Dr. Greger and his story about his grandmother. But, my experience is that good eggs are still good for human consumption.

[/quote]So all this evidence is really meaningless? Interesting!

I think that for now, eggs are ok in moderation, and not eaten every day for most areas. There might be exceptions.

"16 Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise—

why destroy yourself?

17 Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool—

why die before your time?

18 It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other.

Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes."