Eggs

Updated 5/9 & 5/11 - scroll down to see updates.

11/15/07 -So I've been thinking about eggs lately. They are one of those "brain power" power foods that are suppose to be super good for you. But not all eggs are alike. And some are super expensive. And some have way more in them than others (and what I mean by that is that the chemically eggs have way too much chemicals/antibiotics in them, and the good eggs have a different degree of Omega 3s and Lutein.) So here are some interesting varieties and facts on the eggs out there.

Recommended eggs:
Good Day! Naturals All Natural Eggs
Christopher Eggs
Pilgrim's Pride Eggs Plus
Eggland's Best


Some websites that tell more about eggs:
http://www.texasgrassfedbeef.com/eggs_too_.htm


Some facts about free-range vs. conventional:
They found that, compared to official U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrient data for commercial, "conventional" (i.e., from confined hens) eggs, eggs from hens raised on pasture may contain:
• 1/3 less cholesterol
• 1/4 less saturated fat
• 2/3 more vitamin A
• 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids
• 3 times more vitamin E
• 7 times more beta carotene.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21675726/

http://food.yahoo.com/blog/thegreentable/482/which-eggs-should-you-be-eating

webblog in progress....check back later for more......

update: 5/09

I emailed a few months back the Christopher Egg company and asked where I could purchase their eggs, because I had been looking for them everywhere, and no grocery store carried them. They emailed me back saying that Krogers carried them. I went to 5 different Krogers in Arlington, Fort Worth and Dallas, and emailed them back saying No, Krogers does NOT carry them. Then I emailed the Kroger company and asked them to carry these eggs. I guess the two companies talked to each other because........

Long story short - Krogers now carries them! Hurray! They carry them under their Private Selection brand name. They are around $2.50 a dozen, which is a lot cheaper than most organic-type or natural-type eggs.
Christopher's Eggs are Amazing, and I will probably never buy a different type of egg again. They contain 660mg of Omega 3s PER EGG! Most eggs only contain about 60-130mgs per egg.

Here's the info on Christopher Eggs:
http://www.christophereggs.com/why.php

http://www.christophereggs.com/news2.php

From their website:
Christopher Eggs come from hens fed a natural diet that is so special it is patented. This diet allows them to produce eggs that are rich in Omega-3 unsaturated fats along with the protein, vitamins and minerals found in regular eggs. Research shows that Omega-3 should be a vital ingredient in a healthy diet. Omega-3 can't be "manufactured" by the body, so it must accessed from our food. Unfortunately, we do not eat enough of it.

The formula for Christopher Eggs was designed by Belovo, a Belgian egg processing company with expertise in developing health oriented food ingredients, oils and egg based powders.

In developing Christopher Eggs, Belovo researched nutrition and the human and animal diet, both historic and contemporary. The natural diet of the ancestors of our modern chicken was far more varied, including an extended range of seeds, pulses and green vegetation. This diet yielded eggs with a better nutrient content and a better balance of essential fatty acids.

Currently, many other eggs are from chickens fed primarily wheat and soya. This results in eggs that are much lower in Omega-3 than Omega-6 fatty acids, and does nothing to adjust the shortage of Omega-3 that is widespread in Western diets.

Good Fats and Bad Fats

All fats are composed of molecular building blocks called fatty acids. These fatty acids can dramatically affect human health depending on their blend, mix and balance.

The Bad

It is well known that saturated fats are bad for us. Found in many foods including meat, dairy products, and some tropical oils, saturated fat increases the risk of coronary artery disease, diabetes and obesity. Recently, another culprit has been identified - trans fatty acids, which are man-made molecules produced during the hydrogenation of vegetable oil. Studies show that trans fatty acids can be even worse for your cardiovascular system than saturated fat and may also increase the risk of breast cancer.

Unfortunately the typical Western diet is loaded with the types of fatty acids that seem to be linked with some of our most serious health problems, and significantly deficient in some that are essential for proper nutrition. It now appears that switching from butter to a vegetable-oil based margarine may not have been such a great idea.

The Good

Mono-unsaturated fatty acids, the type found in olive oil and canola oil, have properties that appear to help protect the cardiovascular system. They also seem to reduce the risk of certain metabolic disorders such as diabetes and have been linked to lower rates of cancer.

Polyunsaturated fats can be good for you as well. They contain EFAs, or "essential fatty acids." These EFAs are fatty acids that are necessary for normal growth and development, yet cannot be manufactured in your body. They must be obtained from our food.

The two types of EFAs in polyunsaturated fat are Omega-3 and Omega-6. For these EFAs to be produce maximum nutritional benefit they should be evenly balanced. Unfortunately the Western diet is overloaded with Omega-6, and very slim in Omega-3.

Belovo and Christopher Eggs are committed to providing a more nutritious option in eggs with an extraordinary level of Omega-3 and a proper balance between Omega-3 and Omega-6.

Over the last 20-30 years scientists have discovered more and more health benefits thought to be associated with diets rich in Omega-3. They include:

• The Heart and Circulation
• Consumption of Omega-3 appears to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke because it seems to:
• Reduce the tendency for blood to clot
• Lowers the level of fats circulating in the blood
• Cuts the risk of an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
• Can reduce high blood pressure
• The Joints
• Omega-3 is believed to reduce the stiffness and pain in the joints of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers.
• Growing Brain
• Pregnant and breast-feeding mothers are believed to benefit from a high Omega-3 intake. It appears to be a vital component of the baby's brain, which grows rapidly in the last 3 months of pregnancy and the first 6-12 months after birth.
• Behavior
• Because of the apparent impact of Omega-3 on the brain, research is being concentrated on a wide range of behavioral problems, such as Hyperactivity in children, Depression and Alzheimers. Evidence supporting the beneficial influence of Omega-3 in this area is not conclusive, but is strengthening.

Additionally, research is beginning to show possible benefits in other areas, including some cancers (breast and prostate), type 2 diabetes and asthma.

5/11 - On the pregnancy level: From Dr. Mercola's site:

The Benefits of Omega-3’s

Not all news is bad news, however. There are some steps you can take during pregnancy which will greatly benefit your child’s future health. One of the best is increasing your intake of omega-3 fats.

A study published in the British Medical Journal clearly showed that omega-3’s are associated with lessening the risk for premature delivery. They dramatically reduce pregnancy complications, and do wonders to improve the health of all children.

A high intake of omega-3’s during the later stages of pregnancy can increase fetus growth (without extending the duration of the pregnancy!)

In fact, it can even increase your child’s intelligence.

To sum up, an awareness of which foods are good for your baby -- and which are harmful -- can reduce the risks of birth defects, protect your child from obesity, and even increase their intelligence.

From Braylock - an incredible article - an absolute must-read!!!

http://gareysimmons.com/rsq/images/stories/pdfs/omega3report.pdf

other articles on Omega 3s

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/news/050928a.aspx



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