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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Are eggs high in cholesterol?

    Related Topics
    Cardiology & Vascular Health High Cholesterol
    For many years my parents told me not to eat too many eggs as they were bad for cholesterol. Now the thinking seems to be different. What is the truth?
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    Lisa Yates

    Dietitian

    I graduated with a Masters of Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Sydney in 1996 and have been working part time in private practice … View Profile

    Cholesterol can be made in the body - the liver makes cholesterol from the saturated fat we eat.
    Cholesterol can also be eaten in foods such as eggs and shell fish.

    Research has found that for most people the cholesterol we eat does not raise our blood cholesterol as much as once thought. For this reason you can eat an egg every day if you wanted to. Although this would mean a lack of variety in the diet.

    Some people however have a genetic condition which means they are more sensitive to dietary cholesterol or their body simply makes too much cholesterol. For these people restricting dietary cholesterol such as in eggs may be needed.

    For individual advice seek help from an accredited practising dietitian (APD).

    Lisa Yates Consultant Dietitian Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian (Adv APD)

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  • Samantha Ling

    Dietitian, Nutritionist

    Samantha is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD), consultant and food and nutrition enthusiast. Samantha works in a private practice on the Central Coast, NSW, Rostant … View Profile

    Eggs are highly nutritious,  and except for milk, is the only other natural ‘quality’ source of protein (meaning that it provides your body with all the essential proteins). Unfortunately, eggs have been given a bad wrap in the media over the years regarding its' cholesterol content, so it's fantastic to see research backing up the consumption of eggs! (For more information visit the Australian Heart Foundation website)

    Eggs do contain cholesterol - but they are VERY low in a type of bad fat known as ‘saturated fat’ which has the most effect on increasing cholesterol levels. Due to this, it is perfectly safe and healthy to include eggs in your diet as part of a healthy lifestyle, whether you have high cholesterol or not. A maximum of 6 eggs per week is recommended in Australia.

    Samantha Ling
    Rostant Nutrition
    (Find us on facebook at www.facebook.com/RostantNutrition)

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