To be safe, reduce animal fats in diet

Dear Dr. Gott: I read your article about the man who ate 25 eggs a day for 15 years without raising his cholesterol level. My research indicates that egg yolks contain lecithin as well as cholesterol. The lecithin reduces LDL (the bad stuff) and increases HDL (the good kind). Thus, there is no evidence tying eggs to elevated serum cholesterol levels. Your comments?

Dear Reader: Although it’s true that lecithin performs the functions you mention, there isn’t enough in eggs to have much effect. In contrast, each egg yolk contains about 250 milligrams of cholesterol, which is considered the limit each of us should consume daily; even large amounts of lecithin will not counteract this.

Most adult Americans have serum cholesterol levels well above the 200-milligram mark that is considered to be ideal. High levels are associated with stroke, heart attack and other cardiovascular disorders. In the main, high cholesterol is genetically determined. Nonetheless, most authorities recommend lowering blood fats through prudent dieting, because a person with genetically high cholesterol can often reduce his or her serum levels in this manner. Consequently, we should limit our consumption of high-cholesterol animal fat, such as that found in butter, cheese, bacon, sausage, luncheon meats and egg yolks.

Of course, this is the present medical policy. Future studies could exonerate eggs and other edibles, but, to date, people who want to lower their serum cholesterol should restrict their consumption of eggs and egg products, such as mayonnaise, cream cheese, butter, Hollandaise sauce, Bernaise sauce, custards and so forth.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Understanding Cholesterol.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Dear Dr. Gott: I’m interested in using a testosterone patch.

Due to prostate cancer, I first had radiation therapy. This worked for about four years, but the cancer ultimately reappeared. I then underwent bilateral orchiectomy (removal of the testicles). That seems to have cured my cancer, but I am left with loss of strength, stamina and hair. I wonder if the patch might correct these symptoms.

Dear Reader: Prostate cancer thrives in the presence of the male hormone testosterone. Therefore, the treatment of this cancer often includes drugs that block testosterone, female hormones (to counteract testosterone) or orchiectomy.

Unfortunately, these therapies affect sexuality and can cause weight gain, weakness and loss of body hair. This is the price you have to pay in order to keep your cancer under control. While supplemental testosterone could improve the way you feel, it is absolutely the opposite of the suggested treatment for prostate cancer; you must not use it.

Ordinarily, testosterone supplements are reserved for patients who are deficient in the hormone, experience sexual dysfunction and do not have prostate cancer.