Dec 06 2006
Three eggs a day are fine for healthy elderly people
Researchers at the University of Connecticut have shown that eating three eggs a day does not raise heart disease risk factors in healthy elderly people, according to research published in the December 2005 issue of the Journal of Nutrition.This study looked at the LDL:HDL ratio in the blood, or the ratio of “bad” cholesterol to “good” cholesterol. The ratio between LDL and HDL is a more precise and important predictor of heart disease than total blood cholesterol or even LDL levels alone.
In this study, 42 subjects aged 60 or older ate three eggs a day for one month versus no eggs for one month to determine the effects on the LDL:HDL ratio. Although both rose slightly, the ratio between the two did not change, therefore showing no increased risk for heart disease among the participants.
The findings from this study provide an important message to seniors - eggs are a highly nutritious food containing essential vitamins and minerals as well as an excellent source of affordable protein. Yet, many seniors stay away from eggs for fear of an increased heart disease risk.
According to Maria Luz Fernandez, PhD, the study’s principal investigator, many seniors weren’t getting all of the nutrients they needed because they were restricting foods that could be beneficial to them, creating nutritional shortfalls.
Margaret Hedley, RD, with a Masters of Science in Applied Human Nutrition from the University of Guelph, agrees, “Seniors benefit from the vitamins and nutrients in eggs. Choline has been linked with preserving memory and lutein and zeaxanthin can protect against age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness. Eggs provide complete protein and protein is essential for building and maintaining muscle mass - which, along with physical activity, is a key in staying strong and decreasing the risk of falls and fractures as we age.”
The bottom line: Seniors, know your cholesterol ratio (LDL and HDL levels) and enjoy eggs as a regular part of a healthy diet. Seniors on cholesterol medication, or who have elevated levels of cholesterol can still enjoy all the nutritional benefits of eggs, while continuing to follow a heart healthy eating plan.
Credit: www.newscanada.com