just one egg study

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Monday October 2, 2000 Press Release

SOURCE: Journal of the American College of Nutrition

Potential Memory Retention and Vision Benefits Found in Eggs

Preliminary Research Published in Journal of the American College of

Nutrition (JACN) Supplement

NEW YORK, Oct. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- A scientific review article published in

today's Journal of the American College of Nutrition supplement reports that

the nutrient choline, when taken during pregnancy, may be key in the

development of an infant's memory function and may improve memory capability

later in life. In another paper published in the JACN supplement, research

shows two antioxidants, lutein and zeaxanthin, may significantly reduce the

risk of cataract and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Eggs are cited

as an important dietary source of choline as well as lutein and zeaxanthin

and, in the case of the latter two, research shows eggs to be a more highly

bioavailable form than other food sources. Choline Deemed a Memory Booster

``Research with animal models shows that if a mother doesn't have enough

choline during pregnancy, the fetus' brain doesn't develop normally and the

baby can be born either with defective memory or lower memory capabilities

that lasts throughout their life,'' says choline article author H.

Zeisel, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health and

School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. ``I

think that pregnant women should consume a balanced diet containing a variety

of foods, and that one or two eggs a day can only be helpful in terms of

delivering the right amount of choline during pregnancy.'' Dr. Zeisel's

article examines choline's role during pregnancy in the development of

critical areas of the fetus' brain and its impact on brain function later in

life. In research using laboratory rats that received choline supplements (in

utero or during the second week of life), Dr. Zeisel found that the rats'

brain function changed, resulting in lifelong memory enhancement. The change

in memory function appears to be due to changes in the development of the

memory center (hippocampus) in the brain. These findings indicate that

choline, when added to the mother's diet during formation of the fetus' brain

memory center, may boost memory retention later on. Choline, a nutrient

essential for normal functioning of all cells, assures the structural

development and signaling functions of cell membranes. In 1999, the National

Academy of Sciences, USA, issued a report identifying choline as a required

nutrient and added it to the list of recommended daily intake amounts. Dr.

Zeisel's review supports other research showing that pregnancy is a time when

special attention should be given to diet, and when certain nutrients, such

as folate and choline, are critical at specific times during brain

development. Research Eyes Link Between Diet and Vision Health Also published

in today's JACN supplement is a paper discussing the role of two carotenoids,

lutein and zeaxanthin, found in certain vegetables and eggs, in reducing risk

of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Lutein and

zeaxanthin accumulate in the eye lens and macular region of the retina.

Researchers believe that these carotenoids may act to protect the eye from

oxidative damage and thereby may play a critical role in visual function.

Some observational studies have shown that generous intakes of these

carotenoids from foods like spinach and eggs are associated with significant

reduction in the risk of cataract (up to 20 percent) and age-related macular

degeneration (up to 40 percent). Research has also shown that eggs in

particular are a good source of lutein and zeaxanthin because eggs provide an

excellent lipid matrix, making the carotenoids more readily absorbed. ``This

is particularly good news for seniors who are most prone to cataracts and

AMD,'' says article author, Blumberg, Ph.D., Professor of Nutrition

and Senior Scientist at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at

Tufts University. ``Furthermore, foods like eggs are a nutritious, affordable

and easy to digest food and we now know from research that eggs are not a

risk factor for heart disease for most people, including seniors.'' A

cataract is a clouding over of the eye lens that causes decreased visual

acuity and can lead to blindness. More common with age, today there are more

than one million lens extractions performed annually in the U.S. due to

cataracts. AMD is the leading cause of blindness in those 65 and older,

affecting 13 million Americans. ``Although additional research studies on the

relationship between egg consumption and diseases of the eye are necessary,''

says Blumberg,`` these findings show promise as a key to decreasing the risk

of leading eye diseases.'' Editor Note: Drs. Zeisel and Blumberg are

available for interviews/ The October 2000 JACN Supplement contains

proceedings from a health and nutrition conference sponsored by the American

Egg Board/Egg Nutrition Center Contact Barbara King of Aronow and Pollock

Communications, Inc. for Journal of the American College of Nutrition,

SOURCE: Journal of the American College of Nutrition

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