After years of being shunned and considered a bad food, eggs are making a comeback. Many researchers have suggested that though they are high in cholesterol that eggs are healthy in moderation. There are a number of suggested health benefits, including the idea eggs may lower blood pressure.
Several years ago, a number of researchers suggested that lecithin, which is found in high levels in egg yolk, could reduce cholesterol uptake in the gut. Though egg yolk is high in cholesterol, the research findings suggested that the lecithin inhibited the uptake of the cholesterol into the blood. This is consistent with many studies that have shown that moderate consumption of eggs generally does not increase cholesterol levels in the blood.
It is has been demonstrated that there is an increase in the amount of lutein in the body after eating eggs. Lutein is a yellow pigment that is thought to be a necessary nutrient of our diet. Low levels of lutein have been suggested to increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration, which results in loss of eyesight. Some researchers have suggested that an adequate intake of lutein in the elderly may reduce the risk of macular degeneration. In addition, to eggs, leafy green vegetables including spinach, broccoli and corn are high in lutein.
Over the years there have been indications that eggs have blood pressure lowering effects. The most researched effect seems to be inhibition of angiotensin 1 converting enzyme (ACE). There is already a widely prescribed class of drugs, developed for treatment of high blood pressure, that inhibit this enzyme. These are the ACE inhibitors.
In a recent study, both boiled and fried eggs were digested with pepsin. The stomach releases pepsin to digest food. By using pepsin with conditions similar to that found in the digestive tract, the aim was to mimic what happens when we eat cooked egg.
Interestingly, analysis of eggs digested by pepsin, showed that there was more ACE inhibitory activity in the whole fried egg, than the boiled egg.
So fried eggs are a health food?
photo credit: House Of Sims
[tags]eggs, lower blood pressure, ace inhibitor, angiotensin, pepsin, fried egg, lecithin, lutein[/tags]
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As people continue to live longer, the incidence of eye disease such as macular degeneration is on the rise. These types of debilitating eye diseases rob people of vision, and can result in individuals losing their independence.
It is believed that the visual system requires up to 25% of the nutrients we take into our bodies in order to stay healthy. Impaired circulation and/or poor absorption of nutrients can significantly contribute to eye disease. Regular exercise and management of emotional stress are also critical for maintaining health.
Eye conditions/diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and may others can be responsive to specific nutritional supplementation
For example. there is a great deal of peer review research now showing the vision can be preserved through a proper diet and specific nutritional supplementation, and that macular degeneration is a nutritionally responsive eye disease.
The recent B vitamin study showing that those that supplement with B6, B12 and folic acid have a significant lower risk of getting macular degeneration is one of many studies proving macular degeneration to be a nutritionally responsive eye disease.
Essential nutrients include lutein, zeaxanthin, omega-3 fatty acids, taurine, gingko biloba, lycopene, vitamin A, E, zinc, copper, selenium for example, that can help both prevent the onset of eye disease such as macular degeneration as well as help preserve vision for those with macular degeneration.
Daily eye exercises also help maintain healthy vision. For a demo of 3 great eye exercises by Dr. Grossman, one of the Country’s leading behavioral optometrists, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W10j2fL0hy0
For more information on nutrition and macular degeneration and related research studies, go to Natural Eye Care for Macular Degeneration