A leading cardiologist has warned that eggs are a 'cholesterol bomb' and one of the worst foods for anyone trying to lower their cholesterol. Dr Steven Lome, a cardiologist at Rush Copley in Aurora, Illinois, appeared on the Physicians Committee podcast to outline the most harmful foods for cholesterol management.
Dr Lome identified processed meats, red meats, and eggs as the three main culprits. He explained that processed meats such as pepperoni, salami, and sausage are extremely high in saturated fat, which has the biggest impact on cholesterol levels. Red meats also contain significant amounts of cholesterol and saturated fat.
Regarding eggs, Dr Lome said: 'Eggs are a cholesterol bomb. That yolk is just so full of cholesterol. In most surveys, eggs are the number one source of dietary cholesterol in the American diet.'
However, research on eggs is mixed. A study in Science Direct found that when combined with a healthy diet rich in fibre or fish, eggs may be beneficially associated with lipid outcomes. Another study in Nutrients noted that long-term high egg consumption could lead to a higher LDL-to-HDL cholesterol ratio.
Red and processed meats have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, according to research from the University of Oxford. The study, published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, found that higher consumption of these meats raises the risk of coronary heart disease.
