ABC News: Eating a Dozen Eggs a Week Doesn't Hurt Your Cholesterol

Eating more than a dozen fortified eggs each week did not negatively affect cholesterol levels compared to an egg-free diet among U.S. adults aged 50 or older, according to a new study to be presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Sessions in Atlanta.

The study adds evidence that eggs could be part of a healthy and balanced diet, even for people with a higher risk of heart disease.

Dr. James O'Keefe, director of preventive cardiology at Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, weighed in on the study's findings.

"The urban myth out there is that eggs are bad for your heart. It's not a total myth, but we've known that guidelines for healthy eating took out previous advice to limit dietary cholesterol, because it really didn't make a big difference in overall cholesterol. The cholesterol is in the egg yolk," Dr. O'Keefe said.

"As we get older, we need higher amounts of protein to maintain muscle mass. Muscle mass and physical strength are two predictors for healthy aging. It's important to maintain and build muscle mass at middle age and beyond. Eggs are an inexpensive, widely available source of protein," said O'Keefe.

Read the full ABC News article: Eating a Dozen Eggs a Week Doesn't Hurt Your Cholesterol: Study