[Egg consumption and cardiovascular health].

Egg has been accepted as a symbol of high cholesterol diet for years and its consumption has been a matter of debate for cardiovascular health. Clinical studies have yielded conflicting results, increasing the amplitude of arguments. This article reviews the current literature related to egg consumption and summarizes the merits and demerits of egg consumption on a scientific basis. Current guidelines recommend to restrict dietary cholesterol consumption to 200 mg daily for cardiovascular health. Therefore, when making dietary suggestions especially for patients with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, severe risk factors and hypercholesterolemia, or a family history of premature atherosclerosis, we should keep in mind that an average egg yolk contains >200 mg cholesterol even though its negative effect on serum lipid levels is less than that of other sources of dietary cholesterol.