What are delicious loaded with nutrients, compact and contain one of the highest-quality proteins available? Eggs. Since the beginning of time eggs from chickens, ducks, turtles and even ostriches have been a valued food source. Unfortunately, many people avoid eggs because of misleading information. The egg’s reputation is undeserving and should be reconsidered.

Take a look inside
Did you know just one large egg contains iron, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium as well as vitamins A, K, E, D and B-complex? In other words every nutrient the body needs, except vitamin C. Within the vitamin B-complex, is choline – a fatty substance found in every living cell and a major component of brain functioning. Choline helps break up cholesterol deposits by preventing oxidized fats and cholesterol from sticking to our arteries. Boasting a mere 75 calories, each large egg provides 6 to 7 grams of protein and 5 grams of (good) fat. You may be surprised to learn that the nutrients available in eggs combat colon and breast cancer, macular degeneration and cataracts. They also protect our skin from sun damage.

Cholesterol 101
Not all cholesterol is created equal. There’s good and bad cholesterol. Oxidized cholesterol is what we should avoid; it’s toxic to our bodies and can create heart disease. Oxidized cholesterol comes primarily from polyunsaturated fats (soy, canola, sunflower, and safflower oils), as well as refined carbohydrates and simple sugars. The good cholesterol, which is essential for optimal health, is made by our liver and is protective to our brain and circulatory system – especially as we age. Furthermore, having too little cholesterol in our bodies can actually be harmful. A person with a fatty acid deficiency may suffer from dry skin, hair loss, bruising, and low resistance to infection.

Eggs are not all created equal
This is where labels come in handy – if you know what they mean. It’s easy to be mislead by labels on egg cartons, so let me clear up the confusion – and help you get the healthiest eggs by telling you exactly what the labels do and don’t say.

Free-Range: These chickens are uncaged and have some degree of outside access. This label doesn’t tell us whether the chickens are packed inside a hen house which can harm the health of the chickens by producing high levels of air pollutants.

Cage Free: These chickens are uncaged but still packed inside a barn or warehouse. They aren’t required to have access to the outdoors and their diet isn’t even addressed.

Natural: This label doesn’t tell us anything about the environment in which the chickens are raised either. Are they packed into a barn? Do they have outdoor access? The only thing it tells us is that the chickens and eggs are minimally processed.

Also note, all of the above leave out information regarding the quality of land the chickens have access to. Obviously, these labels are pretty tricky. Not only are they misleading but not one of them is required to be verified.

The ideal eggs are organic, free-range, pasture-raised, and fertile (which means they were raised with a rooster). All this should be indicated on the carton. Avoid eggs that come from large factory farms. Certified Humane eggs come next on the list but they too can be difficult to find. Eggs Certified Organic by the U.S.D.A are your best option for quality and availability. These eggs are in compliance with government-backed standards verified by independent, accredited certifiers and are readily available. These chickens are uncaged and required to have outdoor access. They are fed an organic all-vegetarian diet free of animal by-products, antibiotics and pesticides. They cannot have been treated with antibiotics. If treatment is required they are diverted from the organic food stream.

Good quality eggs yield many health benefits and the highest quality eggs come from healthy, properly raised chickens.

God gave us a perfect food in a compact, convenient carrying case – the egg. Like the egg, there are many other superfoods to meet your unique needs. Let Women’s Health Advantage help you find them.

**************************************************

Please feel free to print a copy of this article.

Invest in yourself ~ Women’s Health Advantage is ready to help!

Are you…

• DONE wishing for better health?
• TIRED of just talking about what to do next?
• READY to make positive changes and live a more vibrant life?
• SUFFERING from health symptoms that are unexplained or unrelieved?
• Are you ready to create optimum wellness and vibrant health?! Ready to feel strong and alive? Then it’s time to get in touch with Jill Redfern at Women’s Health Advantage to assist you in creating your best life ever! Jill can guide you in any dietary, digestion, and nutritional issues and help you get going with vibrant health TODAY! After all, if not now… when?

Jill Redfern is a registered nurse in the Valencia area with 30 years of experience in both traditional and alternative medicine and a pioneer in the field of women’s alternative health and enzyme therapy.