Egg is good for us?

The other day, I had breakfast in Yong's coffeeshop in Pusing, after an absence of months. He was dozing off and when I woke him up, he said he had been for 'major repair' as in being hospitalized for 20 days for liver infection. After hearing his tale about how he discovered his health problem, besides diabetes, he asked if it is ok to take one egg a day, which his wife refused him. He said he preferred it well done rather half cooked which he thinks would have left with none of the ill effects! I told him that generally, my wife who used to be a dietitian, tends to believe that egg is an excellent natural source of everything that we need, despite studies even during her time (1970s) which linked eggs to cholesterol. But when I got back, she qualified it by saying that in the case of liver problems, the doctor might insist on a fat-free diet.

Anyway, even as a layman, we are often posed with questions which should better be directed to relevant professionals. Like being asked to explain a house purchase by a first timer who wanted to know all the details set out in a S&P Agreement and Loan Agreement! I did what I could, but told her that she should have asked her lawyer instead! But it is quite natural to ask for a free second opinion, isn't it? The other day, I actually panicked when another lady said, 'We are afraid that we will be conned.' in connection with a bank's online share trading application. Surely, I can only asked for the forms for her, and not guarantee what is going to happen thereafter! After all, I am not in this business as an agent, why should I be exposed to such potential liability, even if unlikely?

Coming back to the question on Egg, it so happened, another friend forwarded to me two summaries of opinions which support the goodness of eggs. One was by a Dr. JB Lim, described as a top nutritionist in Malaysia and another not stated but titled '10 Health Benefits of Eggs' . I have just superimposed the two (both seem to agree on main points) and left with some loose ends. Please judge for yourself whether they are valid...

1. Eggs and milk are among the best foods for the body especially to a growing child.

2. Eggs do not cause an elevation of blood cholesterol. (7. New research shows that, contrary to previous belief, moderate consumption of eggs does not have a negative impact on cholesterol. In fact, recent studies have shown that regular consumption of two eggs per day does not affect a person's lipid profile and may, in fact, improve it. Research suggests that it is saturated fat that raises cholesterol rather than dietary cholesterol. )

3. Eggs do not clog up the coronary vessels as once thought. In fact the opposite is now true. (4. According to a study by the Harvard School of Public Health, there is no significant link between egg consumption and heart disease. In fact, according to one study, regular consumption of eggs may help prevent blood clots, stroke, and heart attacks.

6. They contain the right kind of fat. One egg contains just 5 grams of fat and only 1.5 grams of that is saturated fat.)

4. Eggs are low in energy value, and is a factor to consider in the formulation of a caloric-restriction diet.

5. Eggs protein quality is extremely high, and has a very high nitrogen-retention value. Hence it is extremely useful in post-surgical care, trauma, and in post-management of hypovolemic shock against negative nitrogen balance.

(3. One egg contains 6 grams of high-quality protein and all 9 essential amino acids.)

6. Eggs contain vitamin D in its natural form. The benefits of vitamin D require several chapters on human nutrition in medicine to discuss. And I refuse to repeat.

(8. Eggs are one of the only foods that contain naturally occurring vitamin D.)

7. Eggs are cancer-protective, especially for breast cancer.

(9. Eggs may prevent breast cancer. In one study, women who consumed at least 6 eggs per week lowered their risk of breast cancer by 44%.)

8. Eggs are very rich in sulfur-containing amino acids methionine which is a very crucial amino-acid in blocking damaging free radicals. These are directly linked to the pathogenesis of heart disease, cancers, DNA damage, all degenerative disorders, and accelerated aging.

(10. Eggs promote healthy hair and nails because of their high sulfur content and wide array of vitamins and minerals. Many people find their hair growing faster after adding eggs to their diet, especially if they were previously deficient in foods containing sulfur or B12.)

9. Eggs protect against fatty liver, slow growth, macular degeneration (degeneration of the macula area of the retina in the eyes. This is responsible for central vision for reading, face recognition and detailed vision), edema (water retention), and various skin lesions.

(1. Eggs are great for the eyes. According to one study, an egg a day may prevent macular degeneraton due to the carotenoid content, specifically lutein and zeaxanthin. Both nutrients are more readily available to our bodies from eggs than from other sources.

2. In another study, researchers found that people who eat eggs every day lower their risk of developing cataracts, also because of the lutein and zeaxanthin in eggs.)

10. Eggs promote healthy growth of nails, hair and skin.

11. Eggs are rich in tryphophan, selenium, iodine, and riboflavin (vitamin B2)

12. Eggs selenium content is cardio-protective against Keshan disease, cardiomyopathies (diseases involving the heart muscles, cardiomegaly(enlarged heart), myocardial dysfunction (poor heart function) and death from heart failure.

(5. They are a good source of choline. One egg yolk has about 300 micrograms of choline. Choline is an important nutrient that helps regulate the brain, nervous system, and cardiovascular system. )

13. Eggs are protective against Kashin-Beck disease (osteoarthropathy), myxedematous endemic cretinism (mental retardation)

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