Medical specialists have a bad habit of starting health fads that have serious consequences.

For example, there is the mania for avoiding the sun and using sunscreens, which has now led to widespread and serious deficiencies of vitamin D3.

In fact, the problem has gotten so bad that we are seeing a return of rickets in children.

Another medical fad was for people to avoid eggs because they were thought to be high in cholesterol.

However, new studies have shown not only that eggs are not high in cholesterol, and that diets high in cholesterol do not significantly raise blood cholesterol levels.

Eggs, in fact, are the best source of one of the highest quality proteins (from the whites).

In addition, egg yolk contains not just phospholipids — beneficial for all cells, especially brain cells — but is also one of the best-known sources of absorbable lutein.

Lutein is a carotenoid that is critical for protecting the macula of the eye and thus protecting against macular degeneration.

It also is critical for protecting the retina from blue light waves, the most damaging of the visible light spectrum.

Lutein-enhanced eggs are also available.

I just wonder how many cases of macular degeneration could have prevented by people eating eggs.