Is the egg diet a safe and effective method for losing weight?

The egg diet is one of the most common and simple methods for people aiming to lose weight. It's the process of incorporating eggs into your low-carb meals or eating them alone. 

In a Pinoy MD episode, internist and functional medicine expert Dr. Rolando Balburias said eggs, especially boiled ones, are indeed a healthy and nutritious option when dieting. 

“Mataas ang protina ng itlog. Nakakatulong ‘yun sa condition na tinatawag nating insulin resistance,” Balburias said.

[Eggs are high in protein, which helps prevent insulin resistance.]

“Among the three macronutrients— fats, proteins, and carbohydrates — ‘yung protein kasi, hindi siya masyadong magkakaroon ng epekto sa pag release ng insulin,” he added.

[Among the three macronutrients — fats, proteins, and carbohydrates — the protein will not affect insulin release much.]

It’s important to keep your insulin level low or in the healthy range because it’s a hormone that primarily functions “to take in sugar from your blood for energy.”

When your insulin level spikes up, it can lead to weight gain and other serious health problems, like diabetes. 

In order to keep your insulin level at a healthy range and, in the process, lose weight, it’s advisable to follow a high protein, low carb meal plan, just like the egg diet.

However, Balburias advises that while egg has many benefits, it’s also high in cholesterol, so it should also be consumed in moderation.

According to Healthline, one to two eggs are safe for adults in a day, but for those diagnosed with high cholesterol, limiting egg consumption to four to five eggs a week is safe.

— Hermes Joy Tunac/LA, GMA Integrated News