Despite the bleak years, the egg industry has rebounded. Most consumers no longer fear eggs thanks to Doctors Atkins, Heller, et al and the low-carb revolution. In addition, the egg industry has been effectively winning over old adversaries – egg skeptics – through the creation of new products – designer eggs - that look decisively better for health than the old, outdated pre-1980 models...eggciting news from industry eggsperts.

Cardio-Friendly Eggs
High dietary cholesterol has always been the primary reason for avoiding eggs. Up until just a decade ago, the cholesterol in a large egg yolk was approximately 280 mg. Currently, most eggs have about 212 mg with some dipping down below 200. (An Eggland’s Best large egg contains 180 mg). Even more significant, however, was the discovery that dietary cholesterol has a relatively small impact on our serum cholesterol compared to the number one dietary nemesis – saturated fat – levels of which are 25% less in today’s modern egg. Assuming current published research to be valid, having one egg per day will raise our cholesterol levels by a mere1-2% (unless we are particularly sensitive to dietary cholesterol). Other studies could find no effect on serum cholesterol when eggs are consumed just once or twice per week.

If you are willing to spend an extra buck (or two), you can buy eggs at your favorite supermarket that have boosted levels of omega-3 fatty acids – the same health-supportive FA’s found in fish and known to reduce triglycerides, prevent clotting, reduce inflammation, and improve mood. By feeding chickens a diet with canola and flaxseed oils, levels of omega-3’s can be increased from 35 mg up to 225 mg. (A Red Mountain Spa portion of salmon, i.e. ~ 4 oz, contains only 100 mg). The problem is that nearly all of the omega-3’s rendered to the egg is alpha-linoleic acid (ALA), a less potent omega-3 fat. [The more active types, in fish, are known as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)]. However, when algae is added to the chicken feed, up to 150 mg of DHA are accumulated in each large egg (plus additional ALA)! Although groundless to suggest that eating eggs has medicinal value, fingers are crossed in the hope that products like Gold Circle Farms “Extra Nutritious DHA Omega-3” eggs will ultimately prove a boon to health (as opposed to just being less offensive than eggs of yesteryear).

Nutrition-Focused Specialty Eggs
If you want to raise the level of a nutrient in eggs, simply feed it to the chickens. Trouble is, even with high dietary intakes, changes in egg content may not be appreciable. Such is the case with eggs claiming to have more lutein (for vision) and vitamin E (an antioxidant) – increases, yes - significant, no.

“Happy” (fertile) eggs happen when a rooster moves into the coop. Most health benefits proclaimed of fertile eggs have their roots in folklore, when, in actuality, there are no significant differences in nutrient composition between fertile and non-fertile eggs.

Some designer eggs are produced by birds raised solely on chicken feed. If a “vegetarian diet” claim appears on the carton, chickens were not fed beef or pork bi-products – a common industry practice. Eggs from vegetarian feed operations are smart choices for consumers wishing to avoid carry-over hormones, antibiotics, and prions (proteins that cause mad cow disease). Better yet, however, look for eggs that have the green and white “USDA Organic” icon. The presence of this symbol certifies that the chickens were fed organic vegetarian feed for at least three years (little or no pesticides), no antibiotics, and no hormones. By law (National Organic Program), chickens must have access to the outdoors which is usually accomplished by a hole in the coop to outside roosts. When animals are raised without antibiotics, producers are forced to rely on improved nutrition (and avoid crowding) to prevent disease. Some suggest that better animal nutrition results in more nutritious human food. It should . . . we’ll keep checking the journals.

Although differences in nutrient composition are scant, brown-shell eggs (from Rhode Island Reds), compared to those in a white shell (Leghorns), are said to taste better. They may if the chickens were fed a different diet. When the birds are fed the same feed, however, no differences have been detected in flavor, texture, or appearance. The eye-catching blue-green eggs from South American Araucana’s are beginning to surface at many food specialty shops. They are said to taste similar to their white- and brown-shell counterparts.

Another plus for eating eggs is the absence of hormones. But in fact, hormones have been banned from egg production for 40 years. So if your looking for eggs without avian growth hormone, any brand will do. Producers who include a “hormone-free” claim on their label are merely attempting to get a jump on the competition.

Humane Animal Treatment
Egg producers are well aware of the negative economic impact of raising animals under less than humane conditions. Some consumers simply will not consume eggs knowing that factory layer operations still practice debeaking and crowding – usually 4-6 birds per cage. Everyone, if they wish, can be an animal activist egg consumer by purchasing only those products that say “Cage Free” (no cages but no access to the outside) or “Free-Range”/“Free-Roaming” (no cages and access to the outdoors). Eggs produced under “Free-Farmed” conditions are overseen by the American Humane Association. In a free-farming operation, hens are certified to be raised “humanely” with adequate space, food, and water. By definition, any organic egg produced under the NOP regulations is free-range and within the spirit of AHA’s criteria.

Bottom Line
No one can deny that the egg industry has responded aggressively to over a decade of consumer skepticism on key health issues – mostly heart health. Eggs are also beginning to catch the eye of the culinary world with improved flavor, blue shells, and brighter, more yellow yolks (thanks to marigolds in the chicken feed). Egg producers have also responded positively to animal activism – signified by the continuing increase in operations offering cage-free, free-range, free-farmed, and organic products.

Most health-seeking consumers will not experience adverse lipemic or cholesterol jumps by having eggs – any chicken eggs - a few times per week. In my book, however, it’s worth the extra dollar or two to buy a dozen eggs that has a boost in omega-3 fat (look for extra DHA) and were raised organically (humane treatment; no pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, or prions) – without question, an eggceptional choice.

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