Love eggs? Study finds that high cholesterol may affect heart disease

It has been unclear whether there is a correlation between dietary cholesterol and adverse results such as cardiovascular disease.

A Canadian study published by JAMA looked at egg consumption, a rich source of dietary cholesterol, to determine whether eggs have an impact on the interaction between dietary cholesterol and heart disease or all-cause mortality.

The study used data from 29,615 participants, consisting of 56.1% women, from March 25^th, 1985 until August 31^st, 2016. At the start of the data collection, the median age of the participants was 51.6. Individuals that were diagnosed with heart disease at the beginning of the data collection were not included in this study.

Characteristics such as race, sex, age, education level, physical activity, alcohol intake, and smoking status were collected using a questionnaire.

Researchers measured dietary cholesterol at milligrams consumed per day and egg consumption was based on the number of eggs consumed per day.

The researchers primarily analyzed the occurrences of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes of coronary heart disease, heart failure, and stroke were also recorded.

Increased cholesterol due to eggs raised the risks of heart disease and all-cause mortality

The participants witnessed 5400 occurrences of incident cardiovascular disease and 6132 cases of all-cause mortality at a median follow-up.

Statistical analyses revealed that an increase of at least 300 mg per day of dietary cholesterol raised the risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality.

Increases in both cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality were also attributed to higher consumption of eggs, with a minimum of an additional half of an egg per day.

Based on considerations of correlations between egg consumption and other lifestyle factors, the study was able to conclude that the relationship between dietary cholesterol and cardiovascular disease or all-cause mortality was not influenced by the quality of the diet or the amount of fat consumed.

Follow-up studies needed to determine the progression of health outcomes

This research study offers an extensive analysis of the interactions between dietary cholesterol and adverse health outcomes.

The study builds on previous research through the consideration of associations between factors such as egg consumption and lower exercise. Follow-ups over a long period of time will offer further insight into the progression of health outcomes.

Further research in other regions of the world is also needed, due to the large differences in dietary habits and lifestyle factors.

References:

1. Bad news for egg lovers. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-03/nu-bn031319.php
2. Zhong, V. W., Horn, L. V., Cornelis, M. C., Wilkins, J. T., Ning, H., Carnethon, M. R., . . . Allen, N. B. (2019). Associations of Dietary Cholesterol or Egg Consumption With Incident Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality. Jama, 321(11), 1081. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.1572