BLOG_March

I’ve been discussing with many of you for some time now
the importance of proper protein in the diet for muscle
building. Several weeks ago we talked about nutritional
approaches to building muscle, specifically the highest
protein count item that could be eaten after weight-lifting.
When I mentioned raw eggs, the eyes of everyone glazed
over. Here he goes again...

“Raw” eggs, Mike? I thought they were high in
cholesterol!”

For years, I had labored under the myth that wholesome,
raw, ‘fertile’ eggs were high in cholesterol and bad for our
health; we now know, this is complete nonsense. New data
coming from various sources (WebMD, JAMA, etc.) as
well as Registered Dieticians (RD) and sports nutritionists
for bodybuilders have now come full circle: eggs now
make up a standard diet for the average North
American. For the weight lifter or bodybuilder this is even
more important.

In 1984, Vince Gironda, the “Iron Guru” wrote:

Eggs have a higher biological value than any other

protein food – even higher

than meat and glandular

tissues. The protein in the egg is divided between

the

yolk and the white, but all minerals and vitamins are in

the yolk, along with

the fat. They’re rich in phos

phorus, sulfur, iron and Vitamin A. The average age

egg contains 80 calories (64 in the yolk and only 16

in the white) and

approximately 250mg of cholesterol

ccording to the National Commission on

Egg

Nutrition: “There is absolutely no scientific proof that

eating good,

wholesome fresh eggs increases the risk

of heart attack.”

[ 1 ]

Dr. Michael Lam, M.D., M.P.H., A.B.A.A.M., has made
mention of the use of raw eggs for supplemental protein use
for weight lifters in his online article in EGGS – GOOD
FOR YOUR BODY, located online at

http://www.drlam.com/A3R_brief_in_doc_format/2003-
No3-Eggs.cfm

Dr. Lam:

The egg's image as a wholesome food has been

tarnished in

recent years, ever since a link was

established between high

blood cholesterol level and

high incidence of cardiovascular

disease. Egg is a rich

source of dietary cholesterol and it is

labeled as a

"bad food". Many have resorted to eating just

the

egg white to avoid the implications of heart disease,

while others have rejected the intake of eggs

altogether as a

prescription to well being. Contrary to

popular belief that

the egg is something to avoid,

numerous research and long

term studies have shown

that eggs are a great dietary source

of many

fundamental (e.g. protein, choline, cholesterol) and

non-fundamental (e.g. lutein, zeaxanthin) components

that

are essential for optimal health. In fact, many in

the fore-

front of anti-aging research believe that …

egg consumption

… should be an integral part of a

complete anti-aging diet.

You don't have to eat them raw - scramble them, fry them in
a pan with non-fat spray (Pam, Canola Oil, etc.) or poach
them. Simply put, eggs are the best protein-based item we
can use in our diet.

Sources

1. Unleashing the Wild Physique by Vince Gironda and
Robert Kennedy; Stirling Publishing Company, NY; 1984;
Page 33.

Mike Stewart Fitness (MSF)
www.mikestewartfitness.com
* You must sacrifice to achieve your fitness goals *
admin@mikestewartfitness.com
713.785.5126

March 2005 Newsletter

The greatest source of pure, undiluted protein
on earth is the simple, raw egg.