The Effect of Egg Consumption in Hyperlipidemic Subjects during Treatment with Lipid-Lowering Drugs

Background . Limiting egg consumption to avoid high cholesterolemia is recommended to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease. However, recent evidences suggest that cholesterol from diet has limited influence on serum cholesterol. Objective . To assess the effect of egg consumption on lipid profiles in hyperlipidemic adults treated with lipid-lowering drugs. Material and Method . Sixty hyperlipidemic subjects, mean age of 61 years, who had been treated with lipid-lowering drugs. Every subject was assigned to consume additional 3 eggs per day with their regular diet for 12 weeks. Measurements for lipid profiles and body compositions were performed. Results . An additional consumption of 3 eggs per day for 12 weeks increased HDL-cholesterol by 2.46 ± 6.81 mg/dL ( P < 0.01) and decreased LDL-cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol ratio by 0.13 ± 0.46 ( P < 0.05). No significant changes were found in other lipid profiles. Body weight and body mass index were significantly increased at 12th week by 0.52 ± 1.83 kg and 0.31 ± 0.99 kg/m 2 , respectively ( P < 0.05). Conclusion . In hyperlipidemic adults who were treated with lipid-lowering drugs, the consumption of additional 3 eggs per day to their regular diet will increase the level of HDL-cholesterol and decrease the ratio of LDL-cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol.