Eggs, Serum Lipids, Emotional Stress, and Blood Pressure in Medical Students

ABSTRACT

Emotional stress that occurred as a result of anticipation and participation in final exams did not change mean serum total cholesterol or high density lipoprotein cholesterol significantly in 26 male students who had eaten two eggs daily while maintaining a controlled diet for 12 wk. These same men continued to maintain a controlled diet but abstained from eating eggs for 12 wk which resulted in a statistically significant lower total cholesterol level at the end of 6 wk and on the day of final exams at the end of 12 wk. Mean values for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in abstainers were significantly reduced at the end of 6 wk, but did not change further by 12 wk. Mean serum triglycerides values were variable. Blood pressures were not changed significantly.