<\/a>Scientists have unscrambled the truth about eggs – eating the yolk is almost as bad as smoking for people at risk of heart disease.
\nThe problem lies in an increased risk of the hardening of the arteries, known as atherosclerosis.
\nIt is a disorder of the arteries where plaques, aggravated by cholesterol, form on the inner arterial wall.
\nAs a key component of a traditional English breakfast, the new findings may not put off egg lovers.
\nBut Dr David Spence revealed eating the yolk of an egg is about two-thirds as bad as smoking when it comes to the build up of plaques.
\nHaving surveyed 1,231 men and women, Dr Spence, of the University of Western Ontario, London, Canada, linked the findings to stroke and heart attack risk factors.
\nPlaque rupture is the usual cause of most heart attacks and many strokes.
\nThe study involved patients, with an average age of 61.5, attending vascular prevention clinics in Ontario.
\nUltrasound was used to establish a measurement of total plaque area and questionnaires were filled out regarding the patients’ lifestyles.
\nThe research found carotid plaque area increased in line with age after 40, but increased above the average rise after years of regular smoking and egg yolk consumption.
\nThe study also found those eating at least three yolks a week had significantly more plaque area than those who ate up to two yolks per week.
\nDr Spence, 67, who is also a neurology professor, said: The mantra \u201ceggs can be part of a healthy diet for healthy people\u201d has confused the issue.
\n\u201cHigh cholesterol intake increases the risk of cardiovascular events, and egg yolks have a very high cholesterol content.
\n\u201cThe study shows that, with age, plaque builds up gradually in the arteries and egg yolks make it build up faster.\u201d
\nDr Spence added that the effects were independent of sex, cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking, body mass index and diabetes.
\nHe said that while he feels more research should be done, he stressed the regular consumption of egg yolk should be avoided by persons at risk of cardiovascular disease.
\nThe research has been published online in the journal Atherosclerosis.<\/p>\n

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Scientists have unscrambled the truth about eggs – eating the yolk is almost as bad as smoking for people at risk of heart disease. The problem lies in an increased risk of the hardening of the arteries, known as atherosclerosis. It is a disorder of the arteries where plaques, aggravated by cholesterol, form on the … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":0,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[8752,1839],"yoast_head":"\n