Eggs: They're Out of the Doghouse

SYDNEY, Australia -- Eggs should no longer be viewed as bad for heart health, say experts who are rallying to the defense of the nutrient-packed staple.

A visiting U.S. egg expert says their bad reputation is no longer warranted, while The Heart Foundation has also lifted its recommended intake to six eggs a week.

"Seniors have been afraid to eat eggs because for 40 years they have been worried about the dietary cholesterol," said nutritional biochemist Dr Don McNamara.

"But, over the years, the research has clearly shown that cholesterol in our food doesn't impact our risk for heart disease -- that is saturated fat and trans fat."

Eggs are low in saturated fat and they contain vital compounds including choline -- good for metabolism and for fetal brain development during pregnancy -- and lutein which lowers the risk for cataracts and macular degeneration.

People who eat eggs for breakfast feel fuller for longer, reducing the risk of overeating at lunch, Dr. McNamara said.

"Eggs have the highest quality protein you can buy in the supermarket for the lowest cost, and they contain every vitamin and mineral we need except for vitamin C," he said.

"So they easily fit into a healthy diet for people with normal cholesterol levels, people with high cholesterol levels, diabetics and people with metabolic syndrome."

Dr. McNamara is in Australia as part of a speaking tour backed by industry body the Australian Egg Corporation.

The Heart Foundation earlier this year conducted a review of the science surrounding eggs, and reissued its guideline to recommend people eat up to six eggs a week.

"Cholesterol in food doesn't equal cholesterol in the blood," said the foundation's healthy weight spokeswoman Monique Blunden.

"It's the saturated fat and trans fat we consume that is directly related to the rise in cholesterol in the blood."

Ms. Blunden said people should be more concerned by what they eat with their eggs, noting that salt-reduced baked beans and grilled mushrooms are a healthy alternative to a pile of bacon.