Full list* of press releases below. More information and press releases can also be found on our general BEIS web site at www.britegg.co.uk

23 March 2001
American Expert to Deliver the Truth About Eggs to UK Dietitians

British consumers are currently being given out of date advice about eggs and cholesterol, according to American expert Dr Donald McNamara.

The American Heart Association has recently changed its advice to allow an egg a day, but UK organisations have not yet followed suit. At a meeting for UK Dietitians on 27 March 2001, Dr Donald McNamara of The US Egg Nutrition Center will give a US perspective on eggs, dietary cholesterol and cardiac risk. He will also address the differences between UK recommendations and the evidence based American advice.

Although no official UK recommendation exists for eggs, the leading UK Heart Associations recommend only between two and four eggs per week for the general population. Similarly, some dietitians recommend no more than three eggs per week. This is in stark contrast to the latest research that states an egg a day, in combination with a diet low in saturated fat, will not adversely affect blood cholesterol levels in the majority of the population.

Dr Juliet Gray, Consultant Nutritionist, says: "When it comes to cholesterol and heart disease risk, eggs have unfairly received a bad press in the past. Recommendations from various institutes overplay the negative impact of dietary cholesterol on heart health. We hope this meeting and the points raised by Dr Donald McNamara will help to bring about a change in attitude towards eggs and cardiac risk in UK health professionals.

"With the change in the American Heart Association’s recommendation on eggs, we believe UK health organisations should review their recommendations."

For further information, please contact Cath MacDonald or Kevin Coles on 020 7370 7411

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