Is consuming 2 boiled eggs daily beneficial for a 60-year-old patient (patient)?

From the Guidelines

Consuming two boiled eggs daily may not be the best choice for a 60-year-old person, as the recommended moderate consumption is up to one egg per day or three servings of two eggs per week. According to the study published in Cardiovascular Research in 2022 1, moderate egg consumption has not been significantly associated with fatal or non-fatal coronary heart disease (CHD). However, the data indicates a non-linear dose/response relationship, suggesting that the risk may increase with larger consumption.

Some key points to consider:

• The study found that the plasma cholesterol increase elicited by a dietary cholesterol content of 300–600 mg/day (which corresponds to three servings of two eggs per week) is small in the majority of the population 1.
• Individual responses to dietary cholesterol vary, and some people may be 'hyper responders' who experience an impaired inhibition of endogenous cholesterol synthesis during a cholesterol-rich diet 1.
• People with hyperlipidaemia or diabetes may need to be more cautious about egg consumption, and a similar caution would be suitable in populations with a western dietary pattern rich in foods with a high content of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) 1.

It's essential to balance egg consumption with a overall healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other protein sources. If you have health concerns, consider limiting egg consumption to 3-4 eggs weekly and discuss with your healthcare provider. Additionally, the method of preparation matters, and boiled eggs are a healthier option than fried eggs with butter or served alongside bacon and other processed meats.

From the Research

Egg Consumption and Health Effects

• A 60-year-old patient consuming 2 boiled eggs daily may not be at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, as studies have shown that moderate egg consumption (up to one egg per day) is not associated with cardiovascular disease risk overall 2.
• The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans have removed the recommendation of limiting cholesterol intake to no more than 300 mg per day, but advise that individuals should eat as little dietary cholesterol as possible while consuming a healthy eating pattern 3.
• Egg consumption has been shown to have potential health benefits, including increasing HDL-C levels and reducing inflammation, which may protect individuals against metabolic syndrome 4.

Cardiovascular Disease Risk

• A study of three large prospective US cohort studies found that consumption of at least one egg per day was not associated with incident cardiovascular disease risk after adjustment for updated lifestyle and dietary factors associated with egg intake 2.
• An updated meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies found that an increase of one egg per day was not associated with cardiovascular disease risk, with a pooled relative risk of 0.98 (95% confidence interval 0.93 to 1.03) 2.
• Results from observational studies demonstrate that dietary patterns with lower average intakes of saturated fatty acids, which are found in eggs, are associated with favorable cardiovascular outcomes 5.

Dietary Recommendations

• The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology guidelines recommend dietary patterns that emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, poultry, fish, and nuts as an approach to favorably alter blood lipid levels 3.
• The current recommendation is to limit saturated fatty acid intake to <10% of total daily energy for the general healthy population and further (e.g., to 5-6% of total daily energy) for patients with hypercholesterolemia 5.
• Weight control, exercise, avoidance of cigarettes, and improvement of glucose tolerance are also important for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly in diabetic patients 6.