People have this question probably because the cholesterol content in eggs is high, and people are concerned that elderly individuals consuming eggs may intake too much cholesterol, leading to an increase in cholesterol levels in the body, which could cause atherosclerosis and pose a risk to cardiovascular health. Now let’s talk about the issue of cholesterol.
What are the nutritional components of eggs?
The weight of a regular-sized egg is approximately 50 grams, and an egg contains about 200 milligrams of cholesterol; protein content ranges from 5-7 grams, including 8 essential amino acids for the human body, closely resembling human protein composition; fat content is around 4-6 grams; it also contains rich minerals and vitamins, primarily distributed in the egg yolk, which is rich in lecithin, sterols, lutein, as well as calcium, phosphorus, iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and B-group vitamins.
How much cholesterol does the body need per day?
The daily dietary cholesterol intake the body requires is in the range of 600-700 milligrams. This means that all the cholesterol in one egg is not enough to meet the body’s daily physiological needs, as the absorption rate of cholesterol from eggs by the human intestines is only about 30%. Therefore, a healthy adult with normal intestinal function who consumes an egg can only increase their cholesterol intake by about 60 milligrams, significantly below the threshold of raising cholesterol levels in the body.
Continuing this line of thought, after cholesterol enters the body, it is converted by the liver into high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (known as good cholesterol) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (the bad cholesterol associated with atherosclerosis). Consuming just one egg results in a minimal increase in the amount of bad cholesterol in the body.
For elderly individuals with reduced intestinal function, the cholesterol intake from consuming one egg is very limited, and the conversion of this cholesterol into harmful low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is also minimal. Therefore, there is no problem with an elderly person consuming one egg per day; it is safe to do so.
Misconceptions of most people
A common misconception among many people is that high cholesterol levels are solely caused by excessive dietary intake of cholesterol. In reality, 80% of cholesterol is produced through internal metabolism, with only 20% coming from food sources. High cholesterol levels in many individuals are not due to excessive dietary intake but rather issues arising from internal metabolism. This explains why many people who believe they are controlling their diet well can still experience elevated cholesterol levels.
Both high and low cholesterol levels can be detrimental to the body. Individuals with low cholesterol levels may experience a significant decrease in immunity, and the incidence of malignant tumors is higher in individuals with low cholesterol levels compared to those with normal cholesterol levels. Researchers have found that individuals with persistently low cholesterol levels experience accelerated aging of the nervous system.
If you do not have high risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, etc., there is no need to excessively lower your cholesterol levels; maintaining them within the normal range is sufficient.
What is the nutritional value of eggs for the human body?
Eggs are a nutrient-rich food that not only contains cholesterol, protein, and fat but also a wealth of vitamins and minerals. The protein and amino acids in eggs are similar to those in the human body, leading to a protein absorption rate of over 98%, making eggs an economical high-protein food choice. The other components in eggs are essential for the body, playing crucial roles in repairing tissues, forming new tissues, energy consumption, and participating in complex metabolic processes.
In conclusion, healthy elderly individuals can consume one egg per day without a significant increase in cholesterol levels in the blood, posing no harm to the body and offering numerous benefits. It is safe to consume. This is Dr. Zhang’s opinion on the daily consumption of eggs by elderly individuals. If you agree with my viewpoint, feel free to engage by following, leaving comments, or liking. For more health-related information, stay tuned for my upcoming works. Your support is appreciated. I am Dr. Zhang Wei, the outsider doctor. Until next time.
【References】
[1] Chicken egg white mediated synthesis of platinum nanoclusters for the selective detection of carbidopa. Shraddha Borse, Z.V.P. Murthy, Suresh Kumar Kailasa. Optical Materials.
[2] Are high doses of carbidopa a concern? A randomized, clinical trial in Parkinson’s disease. Brod Lissa S, Aldred Jason L, Nutt John G. Movement disorders: official journal of the Movement Disorder Society. 2012(6)
