In a groundbreaking effort to challenge the longstanding myth linking egg consumption to high cholesterol levels, Nick Norwitz, a doctoral student at Harvard Medical School, undertook an astonishing experiment where he consumed 720 eggs in just one month. The results were surprising: rather than experiencing an increase in his “bad” cholesterol (LDL), Norwitz found that his levels actually decreased. After watching his eye-opening video, several viewers shared their own experiences, highlighting how enjoying an egg daily had contributed to their excellent health, with very few needing medical attention or medication.
According to a report from the Daily Mail, Norwitz, who has a PhD in brain metabolism from the University of Oxford, is currently pursuing further studies at Harvard. Traditionally, eggs have been linked to elevated LDL cholesterol, a factor that may lead to artery hardening and raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes. In contrast, “good cholesterol” (HDL) plays a crucial role in transporting surplus cholesterol to the liver for disposal.
Norwitz’s experiment involved an astonishing intake of roughly 13,320 milligrams of cholesterol, which is equivalent to consuming 24 eggs each day—five times the recommended daily limit. To his amazement, not only did his LDL levels remain stable, but they also dropped by 18%.
Experts have explained that the connection between cholesterol and intestinal cell receptors triggers the release of a hormone known as cholesin, which instructs the liver to reduce the production of LDL. However, the report did not detail whether Norwitz altered his intake of other food groups or changed his exercise habits during this month-long study. He did mention that in the second week of the experiment, he introduced about 60 grams of carbohydrates daily, primarily from fruits like bananas, blueberries, and frozen berries.
Norwitz posits that increasing carbohydrate intake may facilitate a reduction in cholesterol levels. He elaborated that consuming fewer carbohydrates pushes the body to metabolize fat for energy, potentially leading to elevated LDL levels.
His compelling video chronicling the egg consumption experiment has garnered over 160,000 views. Among the audience, one viewer remarked that he had always believed that eggs did not raise LDL levels and was simply sharing the video to counteract his family’s repeated warnings about eating too many eggs. Another viewer shared that after averaging an egg a day for the past 67 years, he enjoys remarkable health with minimal doctor visits or reliance on medication.
