Nutrient Enhanced Eggs A Health Benefit Dr. Bruce Behrends Sparboe Farms Inc.

Sparboe Farms Family owned, founded 1954 Fourth largest egg producer in the US Farms in Minnesota, Iowa and Colorado First egg producer to be Safe Quality Foods (SQF) certified – HACCP standards A Certified Process Verified Control (PVC) producer –USDA verifies production practices

Dr Bruce Behrends Grew up on a diversified farm in Minnesota Ph D in Animal Nutrition, U of Minn Long term Sparboe Farms employee Responsible for feeding Sparboes layers Responsible for development of Sparboes Nutrient Enhanced Eggs

Functional Foods

Provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition May be modified to enhance their contribution to a healthful diet Have substantial scientific backing FDA regulates health claims

Eggs as Functional Foods Developed in the 1990s The hen readily transfers fat soluble nutrients from its diet to the yolk Enhanced nutrients include Omega- 3 Fatty acids, Lutein and Vitamins Egg nutrients are modified thru the hens diet

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Double bond third bond from the methyl end Alpha Linolenic Acid – ALA – 18:3 Eicosapentaenoic Acid –EPA – 20:5 Docosahexaenoic Acid – DHA – 22:6

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Alpha Linoleic ALA Essential Fatty Acid Humans cant synthesize it Must be obtained from diet Found in Flaxseed, walnuts, hemp, canola and soybean oils

Omega-3 Fatty Acids EPA, 20:5, DHA 22:6 Found in marine algae and cold water fish Can be formed in the body from ALA and Linoleic Acid The conversion is slow so diet is a better source DHA and EPA may have additional health benefits

What to Omega-3s Do? Heart and Circulatory System decrease risk of arrhythmias, which can lead to sudden cardiac death decrease thrombosis (blood clot formation) decrease growth rate of atherosclerotic plaque

Omega 3 Fatty Acids American Heart Association Statement Omega 3 fatty acids benefit the heart health of healthy people, people at high risk of cardiovascular disease and patients with cardiovascular disease

What to Omega-3s Do? Neural System DHA & EPA are important for fetal and infant brain development Memory Loss? Alzheimers?

Why Add Omega-3s to Eggs Eggs are a convenient way to provide a portion of Omega-3 fatty Acid Needs The fat in eggs is easily absorbed The fat in eggs is easily modified by modifying the hens dietary fat Flaxseed or Flax oil in the diet increases ALA Fish oil or marine algae in the diet increases EPA and DHA

Lutein and Eggs

Lutein Naturally occurring carotenoid found in green leafy vegetables and eggs Concentrated in the macula of the retina Adequate dietary levels may protect against age related Macular Degeneration AMD is the leading cause of blindness in people over 65

Macular Degeneration

Lutein and Eggs Naturally found in eggs 166 ug Lutein + Zeaxanthin Can be increased in eggs by feeding a concentrated source – marigold petal extract Lutein is easily absorbed from eggs A convenient way to provide a portion of daily needs

Lutein and Eye Health Large intakes of lutein and zeaxanthin related to lower risk of AMD and cataracts Eggs increase plasma levels of lutein and zeaxanthin Egg feeding increases macular pigment density

Vitamin E Essential fat soluble vitamin Antioxidant Easily increased in eggs thru feed Protects Omega 3s and Lutein from oxidation

Sparboe Farms Nutrient Enhanced Eggs Increased levels of Omegas, Lutein, Vitamin E Locally produced – Kalona and Latimer Iowa, Brown and White hens Cage Free and Conventional Production

Comparison of Enhanced Eggs NutrientStandard White Eggs Sparboe Cage Free Brown Omega Sparboe White Omega Leading Brand Per 50 gram serving size (one egg) Total Omega 3s, mg DHA Omega 3s, mg Lutein, ug Vitamin E, IU

Why Use Eggs as Functional Foods? Nutrients are highly absorbable from egg yolk Eggs are the best source of protein and contain many other nutrients Eggs add variety to the diet Nutrient composition of the yolk is easy to manipulate

Eggs and Choline Choline is important in nerve cell transmission, brain development and fetal development DV for Choline is 550 mg Eggs have 125 mg/egg – 22% of DV Eggs are labeled Excellent source of choline

Egg Nutrition Center Call to Action Choline intakes are adequate in only 1 out of 10 An egg or two a day will address adequacy Especially important for pregnant and lactating women, growing children

EGG NUTRITION CENTER 1900 L Street NW Suite 725 Washington, DC / phone 202/ fax

Common Mis-understandings Commercially produced eggs are riddled with hormones and antibiotics FDA doesnt allow hormone additions to poultry feed Laying hens are housed in healthful environments and rarely, if ever, are fed FDA approved antibiotics

Why Choose Nutrient Enhanced Eggs ? Increased Omega-3s in Eggs benefit heart health and the neural system Increased Lutein in Eggs may help prevent Macular Degeneration Naturally occurring levels of Choline in eggs may benefit fetal and newborn neural system development Nutrients are highly absorbable from eggs

Why Choose Nutrient Enhanced Eggs? Eggs add variety to the diet Eggs are the best source of protein and contain many other important nutrients Consider eggs as an integral part of your dietary plan!

Sparboe Staff Photo

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