Including whole eggs as part of a weight loss diet may have positive effects on lipoprotein profiles for individuals with metabolic syndrome, a new study has suggested.
In this study, middle-aged men and women with metabolic syndrome consumed either three whole eggs or an equivalent amount of egg substitute daily as part of a carbohydrate-restricted, weight loss diet.
Although participants eating the whole eggs were consuming twice as much cholesterol as they had at the beginning of the study, the researchers observed no effects on total blood cholesterol or LDL cholesterol levels after 12 weeks on the diet.
All participants, including those consuming whole eggs, had improved lipid profiles with decrease in plasma triglycerides and increases in HDL cholesterol.
“Eating egg yolks was actually associated with enhanced health benefits in these high-risk individuals,” Dr. Maria Luz Fernandez, lead author of the study from the University of Connecticut, said.
“Subjects consuming whole eggs had greater increases in HDL cholesterol and more significant reductions in the LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio than those who ate the cholesterol-free egg substitute,” she said.
Naturally nutrient-rich, one large egg provides varying amounts of 13 essential vitamins and minerals, including nutrients that aren’t found abundantly in other foods, including vitamin D and choline.
Many of these nutrients reside in the yolk like lutein and zeaxanthin, which are antioxidants that may prevent macular degeneration and consequent age-related blindness.
While eggs contain only small amounts of these nutrients, research shows that lutein and zeaxanthin from eggs may be more bioavailable, or better used by the body, than from more concentrated sources like supplements.
Weight management is a crucial aspect of preventing and managing chronic diseases like metabolic syndrome.
All-natural, high-quality protein helps build muscle and allows people to feel fuller longer and stay energized, which can assist with weight management.
In fact, an egg breakfast, compared with a bagel breakfast of similar calories, has been shown to lead to greater feelings of fullness and reduced food intake at later meals, resulting in a significant reduction in BMI and waist circumference.
The study has been published in Metabolism.