Provided by the Virginia Egg Council

For many years, eggs have gotten a bad rap as a forbidden food because of their cholesterol content. The mere mention of cholesterol conjured up fear and was enough to banish eggs entirely from the diets of many Americans. No cholesterol was the most important benefit trumpeted in advertising and on the labels of many food products.
Today, thanks to years of research, we know more than ever about the relationship between diet, lifestyle and good health. There is growing evidence that diet and health relationships are a function of both what is in the diet and what is missing from it. It is also becoming clear that many of our perceptions about various dietary factors are inaccurate. For example, when it comes to dietary cholesterol, many people believe that it is an extremely important factor in high blood cholesterol. Studies have now shown that many people on a low-fat diet can eat one or two eggs a day without measurable changes in their blood cholesterol levels. Studies have shown that saturated fat in the diet, not dietary cholesterol, is what influences blood cholesterol levels the most.
How best to achieve and maintain good health depends on your unique history. Read through this brochure, then seek the help of a doctor or registered dietitian to tailor the suggestions to your personal lifestyle.

Genetics plays a role in whether a person will develop a chronic disease, such as heart disease, but so, too, does lifestyle. You have no control over your family's medical history, but you can take steps to decrease your own risk. According to the American Heart Association, you lessen the likelihood of heart disease by not smoking, controlling blood pressure, maintaining a blood cholesterol level below 200 mg/dl, and exercising regularly. Diabetes, family history of heart disease, and obesity are some other important heart disease risk factors.

Cholesterol is not a fat. It is a waxy, fat-like substance produced by all animals, including humans. Cholesterol is needed for many bodily functions and serves to insulate nerve fibers, maintain cell walls and produce vitamin D, various hormones and digestive juices. Cholesterol is produced by the liver.
There is a difference between dietary cholesterol (the cholesterol you consume in foods) and blood cholesterol (the cholesterol in your bloodstream, also called serum cholesterol). Dietary cholesterol is present in varying amounts in some foods, such as meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, and dairy products. Dietary cholesterol does not automatically become blood cholesterol when you eat it. Most of your blood cholesterol is made by your body. Individuals vary in how much cholesterol their body makes.
There is little doubt that elevated blood cholesterol levels increase heart disease risk. But the effect of dietary cholesterol on blood cholesterol levels is the subject of debate among health professionals. That's because research does not show that food cholesterol significantly boosts blood cholesterol levels in everyone.
That's because scientific studies suggest people react differently to dietary cholesterol. Some researchers say that nearly two-thirds of Americans can handle cholesterol intake within the range that people normally consume (300 mg - 400 mg) without significantly raising their blood cholesterol level.
For example, two recent studies published in an American Heart Association journal showed that 20 healthy young men and 13 healthy young women with normal blood cholesterol levels were able to consume up to two eggs per day while on a low-fat diet without significantly raising their blood cholesterol levels. The outcome of these studies suggests that an egg or two daily may be acceptable for people with normal blood cholesterol levels. So, there's no need to avoid eggs on a heart-health diet. Even cholesterol-lowering diets allow moderate amounts of whole eggs. There is no limit on egg whites, since they're cholesterol and fat-free.
You love eggs and want them to be part of your diet. That's fine by many nutrition experts, who believe that eggs fit into a healthy, well-balanced eating plan. A large egg contains 4.5 grams of fat (1.5 of which is saturated fat), and 213 milligrams of cholesterol, 22 percent less than previously thought based on a 1989 study. Additionally, eggs contain 75 calories each.
An egg is one of nature's most nutritious creations. Eggs are protein-rich, low in sodium, and contain vitamins and minerals. In addition, eggs are inexpensive, delicious, and easy to prepare.