Premium
High Egg Cholesterol Consumption May Not Affect Blood Serum Cholesterol Levels in Elite Athletes in Training
Author(s) -
Bui Steve,
Oliver Jonathan,
Mardock Michelle,
Beihl Adam,
Riechman Steven E.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.628.6
Subject(s) - cholesterol , medicine , endocrinology , body weight , blood lipids , chemistry , lean body mass , elite athletes , zoology , biology , athletes , physical therapy
Background Due to its high cholesterol content, limiting the intake of egg yolks is a common recommendation; however, recent studies have shown that blood cholesterol levels may be more dependent on other factors such as physical activity levels and genetic predispositions, than on actual cholesterol intake. Therefore, we hypothesized that very high cholesterol consumption in the form of egg yolks will not increase blood cholesterol levels in elite collegiate power lifters during training. Methods Seven individuals were recruited for this study (age: 23±3.6; height: 66.7±4.7 in; body fat: 17.6±9.3%; weight: 83.2±17.8 kg). Subjects were assigned to one of two supplement groups paired by sum of 1RMs to lean body weight. High cholesterol supplement group was supplemented with 20 mg•kg −1 •lean body mass −1 •day −1 of cholesterol via egg yolks (HC, N=4) while the lower cholesterol group was supplemented with equivalent egg control (LC, N=3) to meet 8 mg•kg‐1•lean body mass‐1•day‐1. Blood measurements were taken prior to supplementation and after nine weeks of training/supplementation. Results Total cholesterol decreased in HC (−11.8±18.4 mg•dl −1 ) but increased in LC (21.7±9.5 mg•dl −1 ) after nine weeks (P<0.05). HDL followed a similar pattern (−11.3±6.8 HC and 4.7±6.4 LC mg•dl −1 , P<0.05), while LDL levels did not change (5.3±.11. HC and 8.0±.14.4 LC mg•dl −1 , P>0.05). Conclusion It is unclear what may have caused a decrease in total cholesterol and HDLs while maintaining LDL levels. The relationship of dietary cholesterol to blood parameters is not straightforward as generally perceived and exercise training at the elite level may alter this relation.