The Office of the National Egg Campaign has urged Ghanaians, especially pregnant women, lactating mothers and children to disregard the numerous myths about eggs and make them their number one source of protein, particularly this Christmas season.
It said eggs were an inexpensive source of high quality protein and getting enough of that in the diet was important to maternal and child health throughout the crucial first 1000 Days.
Experts have warned that if pregnant or lactating women do not eat eggs or take specific supplements, the brains of their children would not reach their maximum development.
They pointed to the fact that low maternal intake of chlorine, which was a vitamin-like essential nutrient found in eggs, doubled the risk for neural tube defects in newborns and also affected their learning abilities and memory for the duration of their lives.
A survey conducted by the Egg Campaign office in Ghana suggested that the average intake of eggs was less than three per week, though eggs remained one of the best sources of dietary choline.
The National Egg Campaign is a joint initiative of the Ministries of Food and Agriculture, Health, Trade and Industry aimed at promoting egg consumption to fight malnutrition and promote good health among Ghanaians.
Dr Anthony K. Enimil, a Paediatrician at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi, refuted the myths surrounding eggs, saying the control of egg dietary cholesterol consumption could not be supported by current research findings.
He said there were a number of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), such as smoking and sedentary lifestyle, as well as dietary factors like saturated fat and trans-fatty acids.
However, the risk factors, he said, do not include dietary cholesterol intake.
Dr Enimil, who is also a Lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, pointed out that eggs contain more mono-unsaturated fat than saturated fat and that the consumption of eggs did not raise cholesterol levels in 70 percent of the general population and even those with existing cardiovascular disease.
Director of Animal Production at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Kwamina Arkorful, who spoke at the launch of the campaign earlier this year, noted with regret the current protein deficiency and malnutrition among children and child-bearing women in the country.
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