Alternative Health Blog

In a study involving older adults with low macular pigment taking cholesterol-lowering medications, results indicate that daily consumption of 4 egg yolks, and possibly 2 egg yolks, may improve macular health. The subjects consumed foods containing 2 egg yolks/day for 5 weeks. After a 4-week washout period the subjects consumed foods containing 4 egg yolks/day for another 5 weeks. Subjects with low-MPOD (macular pigment optical density) showed a 31% increase in MPOD with daily intake of 2 egg yolks and increases in MPOD (at most 50%) at the 3 retinal eccentricities with daily intake of 4 egg yolks. Serum lutein and zeaxanthin increases were also observed in the 2 (16% lutein, 36% zeaxanthin) and 4 egg yolks/day (24% lutein, 82% zeaxanthin) interventions. The interventions did not affect serum LDL cholesterol, but were associated with a 5% increase in serum HDL cholesterol. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, “Consumption of 4 egg yolks/d, and possibly of 2 egg yolks/d, for 5 wk benefited macular health in older adults with low MPOD. Serum HDL cholesterol increased without an increase in LDL cholesterol in this study population, most of whom were taking cholesterol-lowering statins.
 
 
Reference:
“Consumption of 2 and 4 egg yolks/d for 5 wk increases macular pigment concentrations in older adults with low macular pigment taking cholesterol-lowering statins,” Vishwanathan R, Nicolosi RJ, et al, Am J Clin Nutr, 2009; 90(5): 1272-