Nutrient Enhanced EggsA 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 Sparboe’s layers

Responsible for development of Sparboe’s Nutrient Enhanced Eggs

Functional Foods

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 1990’s

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 can’t 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-3’s Do?

Heart and Circulatory Systemdecrease risk of arrhythmias, which can lead to sudden cardiac deathdecrease 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-3’s Do?

Neural System DHA & EPA are important for fetal

and infant brain development Memory Loss? Alzheimers?

Why Add Omega-3’s 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 hen’s 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 3’s and Lutein from oxidation

Sparboe Farms Nutrient Enhanced Eggs

• Increased levels of Omega’s, Lutein, Vitamin E

• Locally produced – Kalona and Latimer Iowa,

• Brown and White hens

• Cage Free and Conventional Production

Comparison of Enhanced EggsNutrient Standard

White EggsSparboe Cage Free Brown Omega

Sparboe White Omega

“Leading Brand”

Per 50 gram serving size (one egg)

Total Omega 3’s, mg

55 250 250 100

DHA Omega 3’s, mg

25 75 150 50

Lutein, ug 166 300 300 200

Vitamin E, IU 0.6 6 6 7.5

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 CENTER1900 L Street NW Suite 725 Washington, DC 20036 202/833-8850 phone202/463-0102 faxenc@enc-online.org

Common Mis-understandings

“Commercially produced eggs are riddled with hormones and antibiotics”

FDA doesn’t 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-3’s 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

Thank You

Questions?