Reprinted from the Health District's quarterly publication mailed to district residents (Fall 2004)

I’m confused about eggs. Do they raise your cholesterol or not?

Eggs have gotten a bad rap for years because it was thought that eating eggs, which are high in cholesterol, would raise blood cholesterol levels.

But repeated studies have failed to find a link between eating eggs and increased serum cholesterol levels or heart disease in most people. We now know that saturated fat, the kind found mostly in animal foods – such as the bacon, sausage and cheese we often eat with the eggs – is much more responsible for raising blood cholesterol levels.

Two notes of caution: If you’re a diabetic, you do have an increased risk of heart disease if you eat eggs daily, so stick to no more than four eggs a week or use egg whites or egg substitutes. Secondly, many studies did not include people with high cholesterol levels so it’s unclear what effect eggs might have on their cholesterol.

Keep in mind that eggs are a good source of protein, lutein (which is good for eyesight) and vitamin E among others. So enjoy eggs and remember to watch what you eat them with!

Dianne Moeller, a registered dietitian, helps residents make healthier food choices. Appointments can be made through the Health District receptionist at 224-5209. To submit a question for possible use in a future issue of Compass, mail it to Ask Dianne, c/o Health District, 120 Bristlecone Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80524. Not all entries will be published.