Eggs aren’t bad for one’s health after all

At the first Philippine Egg Show at SM Megamall’s Megatrade Hall 2 in Mandaluyong City, doctors disproved the misconception that eggs can increase the risk of having hypertension and cardiovascular diseases because they contain high levels of cholesterol.

Dr. Robin Navarro, a cellular and biochemical medicine specialist, disclosed that eating two to four eggs a day can, in fact, lessen the risk of having hypertension and heart attack. Eggs, he said, are an excellent emulsifying agent, preventing the build-up of bad cholesterol in the arteries.

"Eggs are not a source of bad cholesterol. Eating at least two eggs a day can even spare you from heart attack and stroke because of their lecithin content which breaks down cholesterol. Studies have also shown that eggs even improve the intelligence quotient (IQ)," he said.

He also clarified that eggs do not cause allergies but the Omega 6 fatty acid which is usually found in cooking oil.

He said egg yolk is an essential fat that regulates cholesterol, and that without this fat, the risk of heart disease increases.

Navarro said eating eggs can also prevent baldness and even promote hair growth because of their sulfur content with crystane amino acids.

He said people who are into body fitness activities can eat poached eggs all the time, while children can enjoy eggs cooked in any way.

Dr. Hillary Shallo, director for food safety programs at the Egg Nutrition Center in Washington D.C., said an egg contains 70 calories and eating two eggs can provide all the calories that a dieting person needs.

Shallo added that eggs are also an excellent source of high-quality protein and all the essential vitamins, except Vitamin C.

Eggs, she said, also contain minerals such as iron, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium and zinc as well as folacin, folic acid and riboflavin.

However, while the Philippine egg industry boasts of about 25 million layers and about 100 farm owners, the National Federation of Egg Producers of the Philippines claims that the country has the lowest table egg consumption.

Each Filipino consumes only 35 to 50 eggs a year, while in other countries, per capita consumption can go to as high as 70 to 120 eggs annually.