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Study compares egg yolk consumption to smoking

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

Cholesterol testing could help may individuals assess lifestyle factors that may elevate levels of this waxy substance within their arteries. Recently, researchers from the University of Western Ontario discovered that consumption of egg yolks, which are high in cholesterol, is about two-thirds as powerful as smoking in promoting coronary artery disease.

This conclusion is based on a study of more than 1,200 men and women. In addition to undergoing ultrasound tests to measure the amount of plaque buildup in their arteries, the research participants answered questionnaires that collected information on lifestyle factors, such as how much they smoked and how often they consumed egg yolks.

When it came to egg yolks specifically, the researchers found that coronary artery disease was more strongly associated with the consumption of at least three eggs a week, compared to the ingestion of fewer eggs. These effects were even greater among subjects who were diabetic.

"The mantra 'eggs can be part of a healthy diet for healthy people' has confused the issue. It has been known for a long time that a high cholesterol intake increases the risk of cardiovascular events, and egg yolks have a very high cholesterol content. In diabetics, an egg a day increases coronary risk by two to five-fold," said researcher David Spence.

Consumers who are worried about their heart health may benefit from cholesterol testing, and should also ask their doctors for nutritional advice.