Egg consumption, cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes

TY - JOUR

T1 - Egg consumption, cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes

AU - Geiker, Nina Rica Wium

AU - Lytken Larsen, Mogens

AU - Dyerberg, Jørn

AU - Stender, Steen

AU - Astrup, Arne

N1 - CURIS 2018 NEXS 034

PY - 2018/1/1

Y1 - 2018/1/1

N2 - Eggs are rich in nutrients and a source of essential fatty-and amino acids, and the food item with highest cholesterol content. Since the 1970s dietary recommendations have advised limiting egg intake to 2-4 a week for the healthy population, and in those diagnosed with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) an even more restricted consumption. The aim of the present paper was to assess the recommendation to lower the dietary intake of cholesterol and especially the intake of egg to reduce the risk of CVD and T2D. We performed three web-based literature searches on human studies (observational and interventional) published within the past 10 years during spring 2015. High-quality intervention studies have found nonsignificant effects of increasing the consumption of eggs on risk markers for CVD and T2D in healthy subjects and subjects with T2D. The risk associations found in the observational studies are more likely to be attributed to a dietary pattern often accompanying high egg intake and/or the cluster of other risk factors in people with high egg consumption. Dietary patterns, physical activity and genetics affect the predisposition of CVD and T2D more than a single food item as eggs. In conclusion, up to seven eggs per week can safely be consumed, but in patients with established CVD or T2D only with special emphasis on a healthy lifestyle.

AB - Eggs are rich in nutrients and a source of essential fatty-and amino acids, and the food item with highest cholesterol content. Since the 1970s dietary recommendations have advised limiting egg intake to 2-4 a week for the healthy population, and in those diagnosed with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) an even more restricted consumption. The aim of the present paper was to assess the recommendation to lower the dietary intake of cholesterol and especially the intake of egg to reduce the risk of CVD and T2D. We performed three web-based literature searches on human studies (observational and interventional) published within the past 10 years during spring 2015. High-quality intervention studies have found nonsignificant effects of increasing the consumption of eggs on risk markers for CVD and T2D in healthy subjects and subjects with T2D. The risk associations found in the observational studies are more likely to be attributed to a dietary pattern often accompanying high egg intake and/or the cluster of other risk factors in people with high egg consumption. Dietary patterns, physical activity and genetics affect the predisposition of CVD and T2D more than a single food item as eggs. In conclusion, up to seven eggs per week can safely be consumed, but in patients with established CVD or T2D only with special emphasis on a healthy lifestyle.

KW - Journal Article

KW - Review

U2 - 10.1038/ejcn.2017.153

DO - 10.1038/ejcn.2017.153

M3 - Review

C2 - 28952608

SN - 0954-3007

VL - 72

SP - 44

EP - 56

JO - European Journal of Clinical Nutrition

JF - European Journal of Clinical Nutrition

IS - 1

ER -