So here are some good news for those who are avoiding egg yolks, liver and oysters out of fear of gaining weight and atherosclerosis: the new dietary guidelines say cholesterol isn’t that bad!
It’s been 50 years since cholesterol had been put on the nutritional black list. Since then, the recommended daily cholesterol intake was limited to less than 300 milligrams which is the equivalent of a single egg.
But things have changed and a U.S government advisory panel that contributes to the creation of official federal nutrition guidelines decided to be less strict when it comes to cholesterol intake.
This decision was taken after careful analysis of dietary cholesterol studies. The research was conducted in 2013 by the American College of Cardiology together with the American Heart association. The two organizations concluded that there was “insufficient evidence” against cholesterol.
Robert Eckel, a medical professor at the University of Colorado and one of the leading researchers explained that “looking back at the literature, we just couldn’t see the kind of science that would support dietary restrictions”.
So, the biggest concern is not cholesterol intake but rather the amount of saturated fats that a person consumes. This is what actually increases the level of “bad” cholesterol in the blood and affects cardiovascular health.
So, you can stop feeling guilty for having eaten a few fried eggs. And you should most certainly stop avoiding them, together with lobster, liver and oysters as they only contain low saturated fats. But remember that cheeseburgers are still on the black list as they are high in saturated fats.
The report containing the official results and recommendations will be sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and to the Department of Health and Human Services within the next few weeks. This will help the federal government develop the forthcoming Dietary Guidelines. This is a very important document as it influences the lunch programs composed at schools, the food advertising business and the public health campaigns.
The new Dietary Guidelines will include other changes as well. These modifications are in regards to salt, red meat, sugar, saturated fats and Omega 3s.
So, all we need to do now is wait. The dietary change is upon us!
Image Source: Food Network
