by Anthony Stemke

Created on: May 17, 2009   Last Updated: May 22, 2009

Are you looking for one of the best health foods around? Are you seeking a food that is loaded with nutrients and yet economical? Then look for eggs, a great source of high quality protein (6 grams per egg) and only 68 calories.

Eggs are great for dieting. In a weight loss study, participants ate either a breakfast of 2 eggs or a bagel breakfast, supplying the same calories. They did this for 8 weeks, as part of a low fat diet (Dhurandhar N, Vander Wal J, et al. faseb journal). The egg eaters lost almost twice the weight (6lbs) as the bagel eaters (3.5lbs). Additionally, the egg eaters had an 83% greater decrease in waist circumference.

Eggs are important for heart health. They contain vitamin B-12, which converts homocysteine into safe molecules. Although eggs do contain cholesterol, they also contain lecithin to control cholesterol levels. Eating eggs lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke by helping to prevent blood clots. Proteins in egg yolk inhibit human platelet aggregation that eventually leads to blood clots.

Eggs are rich in health benefits. They are a good source of choline. Simply put, choline is very important for brain chemistry. Associated with the B-vitamin family, choline, a phospholipid (fat), is converted to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the brain. It is essential for memory and mental energy. A deficiency in choline causes a deficiency in folic acid, which is vital for brain function and health. Choline is also critical in the cellular process known as methylation. Cells use this process to send messages back and forth. Choline and its metabolite betaine (found naturally in vegetables like spinach) work together in the mitochondria to fight oxidative stress, a formidable inflammation trigger. More than 90% of Americans are deficient in choline, an especially disturbing finding for pregnant women because choline is crucial for brain and memory development of the fetus. Insufficient intake of choline can lead to fatty liver or muscle damage. But two large eggs contain 252mg of choline, slightly less than half the recommended daily supply, and also 630mg of phosphatidylcholine. Phosphatidylcholine is a type of fat that the body can use as a precursor to make choline. It also is effective in lowering serum cholesterol. Choline is a key component in acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that carries messages between nerves and muscles.

Eggs are marvelous in their ability to lower inflammation. The

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