Health Benefits of Eggs
Well, you already know how awesome acupuncture is for pain relief! We are so well known for this particular ailment that people commonly think that is all we do… that couldn’t be farther from the truth, but that’s another post.
So, seriously, there are many health benefits of eggs.
WHOLE eggs are the perfect food, I’ve been saying this for years!
WHOLE eggs have a little less than 200 mg of cholesterol, but who cares, because guess what?!?! What we EAT does not dictate our cholesterols levels, it’s a myth.
Think of Yin and Yang… Egg white are YANG, Egg yolks are YIN. Here’s the important part: Yin in the body is in charge of moisture, softening, lubrication, so if you are suffering from pain eggs can help bring back the Yin quality that can bring inflammation down and moisture back into joints and muscles.
Genius, no? Bone broths do the same… that’s next weeks post.
Jillian Michaels, personal trainer from the Biggest Loser, and who rocks that hot body loves eggs too…
One large egg has roughly 186 milligrams of cholesterol — all of which is found in the egg’s yolk. Since dietary cholesterol was once thought to be the major cause of unhealthy blood cholesterol, egg yolks have been demonized and health nuts stick to eating strictly egg whites. Now, don’t get me wrong — egg whites are a great, healthy source of protein, but there is definitely room for WHOLE eggs in a healthy diet. As long as you haven’t been advised otherwise by your doctor , you can enjoy the many nutritional benefits of a whole egg. So, yes, you can have an egg and eat the yolk too ! Here are a few reasons why.
The real threat to high cholesterol is saturated and trans fats, not dietary cholesterol
Years ago, when scientists learned that high blood cholesterol was associated with heart disease, foods high in cholesterol were thought to be the leading cause of unhealthy blood cholesterol. Now, 25 years later, scientists have come to the conclusion that cholesterol in food is not the true villain — saturated and trans fats have a much greater effect on blood cholesterol. Your body actually needs the cholesterol in meat and eggs to make testosterone, which helps to increase energy and helps to build more calorie-building muscle. In fact, one study at the University of Connecticut found that the fat in egg yolks actually helps to reduce LDL (“bad” cholesterol). So banish the old notion that an egg, specifically the yolk, is hazardous to your health. According to the American Heart Association, the recommended limit of dietary cholesterol is 300 milligrams for people with normal LDL (bad) cholesterol levels — and one egg contains 185 milligrams of dietary cholesterol. (If you have a history of high cholesterol or heart disease in your family, though, you may want to consult your doctor about how to limit your cholesterol intake.)
Whole eggs are full of beneficial vitamins and minerals
Whole eggs are a nearly perfect food, with almost every essential vitamin and mineral our bodies need to function. It is one of the few natural food sources of vitamin D and contains 7 grams of high-quality protein. Whole eggs are also full of omega-3 fatty acids and deliver many of the B vitamins and nutrients — B6, B12, riboflavin, folate, and choline — that, in fact, are believed to help prevent heart disease. L-arginine, an amino acid found in eggs, are critical to the body’s production of protein and the release of growth hormones. Another amino acid found in eggs, leucine, also helps the body produce growth hormones as well as regulate blood sugar levels. The yolk itself contains most of these vitamins and minerals, plus half of its protein. When you eat only the egg whites, you’re missing out on all of these nutritional benefits and are getting only 3.5 grams, or half, of the protein.
Go Jillian, now go enjoy a free range organic egg!
Christina “Mei Wen” Martin, L.Ac., Dipl.AC, MTOM, FABORM.
christina@berkeley-acupuncture.com
Christina Martin is the founder of Tao to Wellness. She is an Acupuncturist, Chinese Herbalist and Teacher and has been in practice for fifteen years. She holds a Master’s Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is California state licensed and a nationally certified Diplomat of Acupuncture. Christina entered Acupuncture school without ever having an Acupuncture treatment. She simply felt it was her calling.
