- EPA, the most powerful fatty acid, and the one preferred
by the human body, is almost exclusively found in animal
foods. - Iron deficiency is a common worldwide problem and is
prevented by eating animal foods, which contain this
mineral in its most bioavailable form. - Vitamin A is found only in animal products (conversion
of beta carotene in plant foods to vitamin A is not always
efficient in humans). - Animal products are dense protein foods with little or no
carbohydrate to interfere with digestion and absorption. - People who consume less animal protein have greater
rates of bone loss than those who eat larger amounts of
animal protein.
I will highlight the main animal protein sources below, and will
comment about soy products and protein powders.
The Incredible, Edible Egg
Eggs are not just incredible, but what I would call the perfect food all
wrapped up in one single cell. Yes, that’s right, an egg is an individ-
ual cell, and contains the most complete and highest protein rating of
any food, including all amino acids. Two eggs contain more than 12
grams of protein, just over half in the white and the rest in the yolk.
In addition, eggs also contain many essential nutrients, including sig-
nificant amounts of vitamins A, D, E, B1, B2, B6, folic acid and espe-
cially vitamin B12. Eggs also contain important minerals including
calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc and iron. Choline and biotin,
also important for energy production and stress management, are
contained in large amounts in eggs. Most of these nutrients are found
in the yolk of the egg.
The fat in egg yolks is also nearly a perfect balance, containing
mostly monounsaturated fats, and about 36 percent saturated fat.
And, egg yolks contain linoleic and linolenic acids — both essential
fatty acids. Eggs have almost no carbohydrate (less than 1 gram),
88 • IN FITNESS AND IN HEALTH