Intake of up to 3 Eggs/Day Increases HDL Cholesterol and Plasma Choline While Plasma Trimethylamine-N-oxide is Unchanged in a Healthy Population

Lipids volume 52, pages255–263(2017)Cite this article

Abstract

Eggs are a source of cholesterol and choline and may impact plasma lipids and trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) concentrations, which are biomarkers for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Therefore, the effects of increasing egg intake (0, 1, 2, and 3 eggs/day) on these and other CVD risk biomarkers were evaluated in a young, healthy population. Thirty-eight subjects [19 men/19 women, 24.1 ± 2.2 years, body mass index (BMI) 24.3 ± 2.5 kg/m2] participated in this 14-week crossover intervention. Participants underwent a 2-week washout with no egg consumption, followed by intake of 1, 2, and 3 eggs/day for 4 weeks each. Anthropometric data, blood pressure (BP), dietary records, and plasma biomarkers (lipids, glucose, choline, and TMAO) were measured during each intervention phase. BMI, waist circumference, systolic BP, plasma glucose, and plasma triacylglycerol did not change throughout the intervention. Diastolic BP decreased with egg intake (P < 0.05). Compared to 0 eggs/day, intake of 1 egg/day increased HDL cholesterol (HDL-c) (P < 0.05), and decreased LDL cholesterol (LDL-c) (P < 0.05) and the LDL-c/HDL-c ratio (P < 0.01). With intake of 2–3 eggs/day, these changes were maintained. Plasma choline increased dose-dependently with egg intake (P < 0.0001) while fasting plasma TMAO was unchanged. These results indicate that in a healthy population, consuming up to 3 eggs/day results in an overall beneficial effect on biomarkers associated with CVD risk, as documented by increased HDL-c, a reduced LDL-c/HDL-c ratio, and increased plasma choline in combination with no change in plasma LDL-c or TMAO concentrations.

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Abbreviations

ACE:

Angiotensin-converting enzyme

BMI:

Body mass index

BP:

Blood pressure

CVD:

Cardiovascular disease

FMO:

Flavin monooxygenase

HDL-c:

HDL cholesterol

LDL-c:

LDL cholesterol

LC–MS/MS:

Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

TC:

Total cholesterol

TAG:

Triacylglycerol

TMA:

Trimethylamine

TMAO:

Trimethylamine-N-oxide

WC:

Waist circumference

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by an award to MLF from the Esperance Family Foundation and a grant to DMD from the Egg Nutrition Center.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA

    Diana M. DiMarco, Amanda Missimer, Ana Gabriela Murillo, Bruno S. Lemos, Christopher N. Blesso & Maria Luz Fernandez

  2. Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA

    Olga V. Malysheva & Marie A. Caudill

Authors
  1. Diana M. DiMarco
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  2. Amanda Missimer
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  3. Ana Gabriela Murillo
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  4. Bruno S. Lemos
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  5. Olga V. Malysheva
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  8. Maria Luz Fernandez
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Correspondence to Maria Luz Fernandez.

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Conflict of interest

DMD, AM, and MLF have received funding from the Egg Nutrition Center. All other authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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DiMarco, D.M., Missimer, A., Murillo, A.G. et al. Intake of up to 3 Eggs/Day Increases HDL Cholesterol and Plasma Choline While Plasma Trimethylamine-N-oxide is Unchanged in a Healthy Population. Lipids 52, 255–263 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-017-4230-9

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Keywords

  • Eggs
  • Cholesterol
  • HDL
  • LDL
  • TMAO
  • Choline