Reneging on Egg Yolks
I heart egg debates. For those new to this blog, I think it’s nonsensical that there are people out there (most of which are well-educated and should know better) who believe that whole eggs are worse for you than cigarettes.
Unfortunately, due to any number of reasons – big food, stupid people on the internet, Dr. Oz – people are very confused on what to eat and what’s actually “good” for you.
Eggs are right up there on the “Defcon 1, DO NOT EAT AT ANY COST OR A BABY UNICORN WILL DIE” list.
One week they’re a nutritional powerhouse, and the next, Time Magazine does an expose that says that not only will eggs clog up your arteries faster than you can say “five-egg omelet,” but they’ll kick you the balls when you’re not looking, too.
Jerks!
Suffice it to say, I fall in the camp that believes eggs (and more specifically, egg yolks) are a nutritional powerhouse, and that they’ve been demonized long enough!
Today’s guest post comes to you from current CP intern, and fellow egg-lover, Pat Koch.
Enjoy!
Eggs will kill you…One egg too many and you are heading down a slippery slope towards heart disease. At least that’s what current nutrition advice would have you believe.
Yet as more and more research comes out, the nutrition community may be starting to change its tune towards the once feared egg yolk. Eggs are actually healthy, and also the perfect fat loss food.
“What we’ve got here is a failure to communicate.”
Practically speaking eggs are a cost effective way to get a ton of nutrition. The fatty yoke is home to the majority of nutrients in eggs. In one study, daily nutrient intake of people who ate eggs was significantly greater than people who abstained. Egg eaters had higher levels of vitamins A,E,C, folate, saturated and polyunsaturated fats, and B12.
Also the same study counterintuitively pointed out that people who ate four or more eggs a week had LOWER serum concentrations of cholesterol than those who ate one or less egg.1
Along with the other nutrients, eggs are potent in lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that have been theorized to protect against cholesterol becoming oxidized.2 The products of cholesterol oxidation have been well established as a key component in Cardiovascular disease, neurologic disease, and certain cancers.3,4
Hmm…so once again we find a natural food that is conveniently packaged in a certain way that minimizes any harmful aspects of said food, I’m beginning to notice a trend here.
A little known gem about cholesterol is that there are two forms: Dietary cholesterol which is in our food, and serum cholesterol which is in our blood.
When we go to the doctors they are particularly worried about the cholesterol in our blood. Yet as it turns out dietary cholesterol does not play as large a role in elevating our serum cholesterol as previously believed.
As many as 75 % of people experience a small increase or no increase in blood cholesterol levels when exposed to high amounts of dietary cholesterol, this type of person is known as a normal responder or hypo-responder and is the majority of the population!
The other 25% of people would be known as hyper-responders. It is important to note that after hyper responders consume cholesterol there is a rise in BOTH LDL and HDL cholesterol.2
Even with a transient rise in Cholesterol…Total Cholesterol (HDL +LDL) is not the end all be all when it comes to predicting heart disease its actually quite a poor predictor, only right about 50% of the time.9
So if total cholesterol doesn’t mean much what is a good predictor of heart disease?
This is where it gets tricky. The cholesterol classifications of “good” and “bad” are incomplete. In fact within the “Bad” LDL cholesterol, there are several subtypes of particles that vary with regards to their degree of damage to the arteries.
Small, dense LDL-C and VLDL are two subtypes that have been established as highly arthrogenic as they are easily susceptible to oxidation.5
Funny enough the quickest way to jack up your levels of SD-LDL and VLDL is to eat a diet high in refined carbohydrates and make yourself insulin resistant. 5 Counter intuitively the once feared saturated fat in eggs will increase HDL and LDL cholesterol, but the raise in LDL is mostly a large fluffy sub-type that is mostly benign and not considered arthrogenic. 2, 5
Yes you read that correctly…saturated fat and dietary cholesterol aren’t necessarily bad for you, depending on the context of your whole diet and that there are no pre-existing medical conditions, of course.
Further research is revealing that saturated may not be associated with heart disease.6,7,8
Note from TG: Say whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?
After going full circle, lets come back to eggs and how even the yolk isn’t only a health food, but theoretically can be a great weight loss food.
Try eating a three egg omelet with some cheese, and a side of fruit vs. a half a bagel with light cream cheese, and a fat free yogurt. Who will be resisting that lunch time binge better? Who will have more energy? The answer is clear. Eat some real food, stay fuller longer, and therefor lose more fat.
It is time to break away from nutritionism: eat a yolk or two. The way it’s naturally packaged has got you covered. Minimally processed foods are superior to processed garbage. And as always, over time, if you consistently strive to eat and drink from a majority of less processed foods, in reasonable portions, everything will take care of itself.
Author’s Bio
“Pat Koch is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and Sports Nutritionist (CISSN) through the International Society of Sports Nutrition. After studying at Ithaca College, Pat obtained his undergraduate degree in Health Sciences with a concentration in Nutrition. Since then he has been working as a trainer specializing in Sports Performance. Currently Pat interns at Cressey Performance, and has recently started competing in powerlifting.”
Note from TG: I know some reading may want to view the citations Pat gave in this post, so I’ll see if he can provide them for me sometime later today, and I’ll try my best to get those up as soon as possible.
UPDATE: If you click on each number (of the citation) the hyperlink will take you to the study. In other news – I’m an idiot.
Comments for This Entry
Jay
The timing of this post is insane!! I work in an office park that has a cafe. I go up there 2-3 times a week to get my 6 whole egg omelette with veggies and a little cheese. Just THIS MORNING two guys were up there getting some coffee when they heard me place my order. One guy says to me that all that cholesterol is going to kill me. Really pissed at this point, but I held it in and politely responded that food cholesterol and blood cholesterol are not the same thing. He didn't want to hear it. When I got my eggs I left the cafe walked outside and saw that idiot SMOKING!!! Needless to say I had a few choice words for him. Why are people like this? It is frustrating. Anyway Pat thank you so much for the post a total breath of fresh air!!October 26, 2012 at 11:20 am |
The Truth About Egg Yolks, Er Not?
[...] Reneging on Egg Yolks: Leave A Reply (No comments So Far) [...]October 26, 2012 at 1:27 pm |
FreakSammy
What if my choice is the three-egg omelet with cheese and a side of fruit AND the bagel with cream cheese and fat free yogurt?October 26, 2012 at 5:46 pm |
Patrick Koch
Jay - Im glad it was good timing. FreakSammy - Strong mealOctober 26, 2012 at 6:06 pm |
R Smith
I like separating the yolks, which I fry in a skillet with a little coconut oil as I make the egg whites into a frittata w/ 4-6 cups of veggies. The fried yolks are addictive.October 26, 2012 at 9:33 pm |
Markku Niilo
good health is addictingOctober 27, 2012 at 3:27 am |
TonyGentilcore
Indeed, it is!October 31, 2012 at 6:09 am |
Mark K
Pat - nice article. Oftentimes the media highlights very superficial aspects of the latest studies which explains the constant flip flopping on questions like eggs. Humans have been eating eggs for a very long time with great health benefits. I also think that being fit and avoiding the side of bacon and home fries is an important part of the healthy egg equation. I'm also a big fan of buying the eggs at farmers markets or from small farmers for getting the most nutrition and the best yolks.October 27, 2012 at 8:18 am |
TonyGentilcore
Wait....did you just dis on bacon???????? Blasphemy!!!!!October 31, 2012 at 6:10 am |
Trip
Avoid the side of bacon!?November 5, 2012 at 1:56 pm |
OB
Stupid people on the internet? How can this be? "They can't put it on the internet if it isn't true". (eat more eggs, butter won't kill you either)October 28, 2012 at 7:27 am |
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[...] And don’t skip the yolks and simply eat egg whites, either. It is time to break away from nutritionism: eat a yolk or two. The way it’s naturally packaged has got you covered. Minimally processed foods are superior to processed garbage. And as always, over time, if you consistently strive to eat and drink from a majority of less processed foods, in reasonable portions, everything will take care of itself. [...]November 18, 2012 at 9:57 pm |
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[…] Reneging on Egg Yolks (Tony Gentilcore) – Another great post by trainer, Tony Gentilcore. Eat those egg yolks people! Eggs are packed with nutrition and protein. I love eggs. They are so versatile too…have them for breakfast, put them in salads, etc. […]March 26, 2014 at 9:50 am |
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Russian,Italian,German,Belgian
why would you just "believe" something. the evidence points to the fact that yolks are very bad. the double blind studies are the ones to look at and please do not read the ones sponsored by the AEB. This is an institution that is founded to promote egg sales. All their studies are garbage. When you read the study just scroll to the end of it and you will see AEB and a small paragraph.January 8, 2017 at 8:14 pm |
TonyGentilcore
You can find "evidence" to back anything up. I try not to be too cut & dry with my statements and assume everything applies to everyone. Yolks are fine. https://examine.com/nutrition/will-eating-eggs-increase-my-cholesterol/ https://examine.com/nutrition/are-eggs-healthy/January 13, 2017 at 10:07 am |
Russian,Italian,German,Belgian
That is true , you can find evidence to back anything up. but then how do you live your life or make any decisions on what is good or not good. The majority of the studies then are showing how eggs are detrimental. There are studies showing no effect on lipids. But the new bad chemical is TMAO. I would say that in my life I look at the percentages. 90% bad eggs. 10% good. and your links to studies are all about 10 years old and a lot of them are sponsored by the egg marketing board. The thing is , even if I am wrong , why take a chance with egg yolks until there are better studies or there is a better consensus on what is likely the truth. There are plenty of other good foods to eat. This is the sensible thing to do. I like science and I know how it is unscientific to take sides. I am leaving the door open, but in the meantime I am taking the safe route.January 13, 2017 at 4:54 pm |