לא העללות

Medical Services | Health Information | Appointments | Education and Research | Jobs | About Eggs: Are they good or bad for my cholesterol?

I'm confused. Are eggs good or bad for my cholesterol?
- No name / No state given
Mayo Clinic cardiologist Gerald Gau, M.D., and colleagues answer select questions from readers.
Answer
It's understandable that you're confused. Eggs are high in cholesterol, and a diet high in cholesterol can contribute to elevated blood cholesterol levels. However, the extent to which dietary cholesterol raises blood cholesterol levels isn't clear. Many scientists believe that saturated fats and trans fats have a greater impact than does dietary cholesterol in raising blood cholesterol.

Adding to the confusion, the American Heart Association recently acknowledged that as long as you limit dietary cholesterol from other sources, it may be possible to include a daily egg in a healthy diet — a statement that was heavily reported in the media.

Here are the facts: One large egg has about 213 milligrams (mg) of cholesterol — all of which is found in the yolk. If you are healthy, it's recommended that you limit your dietary cholesterol intake to less than 300 mg a day. If you have cardiovascular disease, diabetes or high LDL (or "bad") cholesterol, you should limit your dietary cholesterol intake to less than 200 mg a day. Therefore, if you eat an egg on a given day, it's important to limit or avoid other sources of cholesterol for the rest of that day.

If you like eggs but don't want the extra cholesterol, use egg whites. Egg whites contain no cholesterol. You may also use cholesterol-free egg substitutes, which are made with egg whites. If you want to reduce cholesterol in a recipe that calls for eggs, use two egg whites or 1/4 cup cholesterol-free egg substitute in place of one whole egg.

MORE ON THIS TOPIC
High blood cholesterol
Cholesterol: The best foods to lower your cholesterol and protect your heart

RELATED
Butter vs. margarine: Which is better for my heart?
Buying beef? A guide to choosing the leanest cuts
Canola oil: Is it harmful to your health?
Trans fat: Avoid this cholesterol double whammy
Healthy diet: Do you know what to eat?
Dietary fats: Know which types to choose
Low-fat recipes
MayoClinic.com Bookstore
'The Mayo Clinic Plan: 10 Essential Steps to a Better Body & Healthier Life' (Hardcover)
ARTICLE TOOLS
Print
E-mail this
Larger type
Reprints and permissions By Mayo Clinic Staff
Dec 28, 2007
© 1998-2007 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Reliable tools for healthier lives," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
HQ00608
About this site ·Site help ·Contact us ·e-Newsletter ·Site map ·Reprints and permissions
Privacy policy updated Oct 4, 2006
Terms and conditions of use updated Sep 20, 2007

LEGAL CONDITIONS AND TERMS OF USE APPLICABLE TO ALL USERS OF THIS SITE. ANY USE OF THIS SITE CONSTITUTES YOUR AGREEMENT TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE.
© 1998-2008 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved.

MayoClinic.com Bookstore Diseases & ConditionsDrugs & SupplementsTreatment DecisionsHealthy LivingAsk a SpecialistHealth ToolsSlide ShowsVideoBlogs & Podcasts Home Log in Register now RSS ASK A CHOLESTEROL SPECIALIST More Information
Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic.

Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine
Healthy Living set - Buy 2 books and get 1 free!
Get your free trial issue of Health Letter now!
More titles from MayoClinic.com Bookstore …
Advertising and sponsorship policy Jan 2, 2008