Nutrition Facts & Specialty Eggs

Margaret Hudson
Présidente et directrice générale des Fermes Burnbrae
4^e génération d'agriculteurs

In a recent post, I wrote about the top 10 nutritional benefits of regular eggs. Because of amazing advances in farming, Burnbrae Farms is also able to offer a range of specialty eggs with enhanced health benefits. That means we have eggs that contain the 10 beneficial nutrients profiled here, PLUS additional health benefits from things such as omega-3 fat and lutein.

Today I’m going to tell you more about the beneficial nutrients in these specialty eggs. As a company, we have specifically focused on omega-3 and lutein. Why? Because these are two nutrients that many Canadians are not getting enough of. Our aim is to develop products to help close the nutrient gap by offering nutritious and delicious options.

Omega-3 Fats

A conversation about eggs isn’t complete unless we cover the very important topic of polyunsaturated fats. This is an umbrella term for a range of fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6 fats. Regular eggs provide polyunsaturated fat, including 50 mg of omega-3 fats in a serving of two eggs.

We have increased omega-3 fats by eight times in our Naturegg Omega-3 Nestlaid , Naturegg Omega-3 , and Naturegg Omega Plus eggs, which provide 800 mg (0.8 mg) of total omega-3 fatty acids per 2 eggs. The Government of Canada ’s Dietary Reference Intakes recommend 1100 mg (1.1 g) of total omega-3 fats per day for women, and 1600 mg (1.6 g) per day for men. So, two eggs can take you a long way to closing this important nutrition gap.

The Omega 3 Nestlaid eggs also contain 180 mg DHA + EPA per two egg serving, while the Omega-3 Plus version contains 300 mg of the important DHA + EPA fatty acids per serving. While Canada does not have a specific recommendation for DHA + EPA levels, the American Heart Association recommends 500 mg DHA + EPA per day, so our omega-3 rich eggs can certainly help you meet this important nutritional need, especially if they are eaten daily.

By eating two Naturegg Omega Plus eggs daily with 300 mg DHA+EPA, the average person could more than double their daily intake of bioactive DHA + EPA omega-3 fats (assuming the average Canadian consumes about 150 mg daily). Why are these eggs so rich in omega-3 fat, including DHA + EPA? They are laid by hens fed an all-natura. specially-formulated diet that includes both flaxseed and DHA rich omega-3 oils, which helps enrich the eggs this vital nutrient.

Lutein

Lutein is a carotenoid antioxidant, which is vital for eyesight. Along with a similar antioxidant called zeaxanthin, they play a role in decreasing the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration , which is the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment. The amount of these nutrients in eggs can vary depending on what the hen is fed.

For example, a hen’s diet that’s higher in wheat will deliver eggs with 50-100 micrograms of lutein, while the average corn-based diet will provide eggs with up to 150 micrograms of lutein. Corn is richer in lutein compared to wheat, and the nutrients in the egg change as a result! When cracking eggs, take note – the darker the yolk, the more lutein it contains.

Our Naturegg Omega Plus eggs have a minimum of 1000 micrograms (1 mg) of lutein per two eggs. There’s no precise recommendation from the Government of Canada as to how much lutein we require each day – but Canada’s Food Guide does encourage eating vegetables, fruit and eggs, which all contain lutein. Interestingly while vegetables and eggs both contain lutein, the amount absorbed by your body isn’t the same for each. Research suggests the bioavailability of lutein (how much your body absorbs) from eggs is higher than from vegetable sources, most likely due to the fat content in the yolk.

So, there you have it. In addition to the amazing benefits of all eggs—protein, iron, vitamin E, folate and more – Burnbrae Farm’s speciality eggs add to the nutrient value with omega-3 fats and lutein. The bottom line: any egg you choose is a nutritious choice!

Margaret Hudson

President, Burnbrae Farms