Egg and Immunity
Currently, the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic is a leading health challenge across the globe. The COVID 19 has not only exposed our health infrastructure but also exposed how we take care of our health. To maintain a healthy body, the body requires a good dose of nutrients which are provided by the diet we take. As we all know, our diet is not balanced, so some of the nutrients might be available in less quantity. Full-filling the nutrient requirement is very important for a good immune system. And it is in our common knowledge that a healthy immune system prevents the body from infections.
In-country like ours, where a large population remains undernourished, providing balanced nutrition is a tedious task.
In-country like ours, where a large population remains undernourished, providing balanced nutrition is a tedious task.
To combat this scenario of undernourishment and to provide nutrient-rich food which is easily accessible to all, the poultry sector can play a vital role by providing eggs. Eggs are low-cost and one of the most complete and versatile food.
Eggs consist of approximately 10% shell, 58% white, and 32% yolk. Neither the color of the shell nor that of the yolk affects the egg’s nutritive value. The average egg provides approximately 313 kilojoules of energy, of which 80% comes from the yolk.
The nutritive content of an average large egg (containing 50 g of edible egg) includes:
Eggs are good source of iron and phosphorus and also supply calcium, copper, iodine, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium, zinc, chloride, selenium and sulphur. All these minerals are present as organic chelates, highly bioavailable, in the edible part of the egg.
Role of each nutrients of egg in immunity.
Eggs also provide omega 3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fats are a type of unsaturated fat that’s important for a healthy brain and nervous system and may lower the risk of heart disease.
As we have understood from the above table, that eggs supply all essential nutrients important for the proper functioning of the immune system. This makes egg the most suitable and cost-effective food which is easily available to all. In the current scenario of the pandemic, maintaining good health is the most important thing and eggs will help you to achieve that. In short, we can safely say that eating eggs every day makes you healthy.
Eggs consist of approximately 10% shell, 58% white, and 32% yolk. Neither the color of the shell nor that of the yolk affects the egg’s nutritive value. The average egg provides approximately 313 kilojoules of energy, of which 80% comes from the yolk.
The nutritive content of an average large egg (containing 50 g of edible egg) includes:
- 3 g protein
- 6 g carbohydrates
- 0 g fat (this includes 0.21 g cholesterol).
Eggs are good source of iron and phosphorus and also supply calcium, copper, iodine, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium, zinc, chloride, selenium and sulphur. All these minerals are present as organic chelates, highly bioavailable, in the edible part of the egg.
Role of each nutrients of egg in immunity.
| Vitamin A | Vitamin A plays a role in the immune system, specifically in the regulation of innate and cellmediated immunity and humoral antibody responses. Vitamin A supplementation has been shown to improve antibody titers in humans. Vitamin A is also touted to enhance white blood function, enhance resistance to infection and carcinogens, and help to maintain skin and mucous membrane defenses which is the first line of dense of infection prevention |
| Vitamin D | Vitamin D receptors are expressed on immune cells, particularly B cells, T cells, and antigen-presenting cells. Vitamin D can modulate both innate and adaptive immune responses |
| Vitamin E | Vitamin E is another immune booster that is frequently at deficient levels especially in older adults. It works as antioxidants and scavenges free radicals. |
| Vitamin B1 | Plays a vital role in metabolism |
| Vitamin B2 | Plays a vital role in metabolism |
| Vitamin B12 | Vitamin B12 also plays an important role in immune function because it is responsible for cell division and cell growth. When B12 is in short supply, white blood cells cannot mature and multiply |
| Folic acid | plays an important role in cell division, and cell production in blood-forming organs and bone marrow. It is also important in the production of energy |
| Leutin and zeaxanthin | Are antioxidants and Maintains good vision; may help reduce the risk of age-related eye diseases, such as cataracts and macular degeneration |
| Choline | Maintains liver health and play a strong role in brain development and function |
| Copper | The immune system requires copper to perform several of its functions. It is an essential cofactor for oxidation-reduction reactions, and copper enzymes regulate various physiological pathways, such as energy production, iron metabolism, connective tissue maturation, and neurotransmission |
| Selenium | Selenium influences the innate and acquired immune systems. It plays a key role in redox regulation and antioxidant function. Selenium’s synergistic effect with the antioxidant glutathione explains its protective effects by removing excess damaging radicals produced during oxidative stress |
| Iron | Iron is an essential cofactor in many biological functions. Iron prevents anemia. The role of iron in immunity is in immune cell proliferation and maturation, specifically lymphocytes, associated with generating responses to infection |
| Zinc | Zinc has been studied for its immunologic properties and was found to be essential for highly proliferating cells, specifically in the immune system. Zinc also influences both innate and adaptive immune functions |
| Protein | Essential for building and repairing muscles, organs, skin, hair, and other body tissues; needed to produce hormones, enzymes, and antibodies; the protein in eggs is easily absorbed by the body |
As we have understood from the above table, that eggs supply all essential nutrients important for the proper functioning of the immune system. This makes egg the most suitable and cost-effective food which is easily available to all. In the current scenario of the pandemic, maintaining good health is the most important thing and eggs will help you to achieve that. In short, we can safely say that eating eggs every day makes you healthy.
