Rising Egg Prices

Egg-conomics 101

If you know me at all, you know that I hate to pay more than I have to for anything. That's why it may come as a shock to you to hear me say that I'm HAPPY about today's rising egg prices.

Now before you curse my good name for applauding an increase in prices of ANY kind, remember that I'm as staunch a free-market capitalist as any of those brave souls who signed the Declaration of Independence - and one of my biggest reasons for supporting the laissez-faire system they envisioned (or what little is left of it nowadays) is because it's good for keeping prices DOWN…

So why am I ecstatic about the price of eggs spiking to their highest levels in more than 2 decades? Not to answer a question with a question, but: What generally drives prices higher in a free-market system?

Demand. As in people wanting MORE of something - in this case, a good thing.

That's why I'm so happy about paying more for eggs - because it means that in recent weeks everyone, everywhere is on an egg kick! Stores are having trouble keeping these golden treasures in stock, and yes, prices have increased as a result. And even though that puts a little extra strain on the wallet (though eggs are still a steal at around $1.40 a dozen in most areas), it's great news for the health of the nation.

So what's this newfound demand for eggs attributable to? Without a doubt, it's due to the exponentially growing popularity of the Atkins Diet and other high-protein, low-carb nutritional plans myself and my colleagues (the late Dr. Atkins among them) have been recommending for 30 years or more. Yep, people are finally catching on to the benefits of low-carb, high-protein-and-fat eating, despite the mainstream's best attempts to classify such dietary plans as "controversial," "temporary," or "unsafe."

And to put this relatively small price spike in perspective -eggs are still a far cheaper source of heart-healthy protein, Omega-3s, and "good" fats than just about any other source. They could triple in price and continue to be a bargain. In fact, I'd pay $5 a dozen for eggs in a heartbeat, and so should anyone who's GOT a heartbeat (or wants to keep it)!

But if the rising popularity of my favorite golden high-protein health food isn't bad news enough for the cholesterol-crazy mainstream, here's a second gut-punch they'll no doubt be reeling from…

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Fatty foods get Mayo on the side (grudgingly)

According to a recent Reuters Health online article, even obese heart patients with documented atherosclerotic disease (hardening of the arteries) responded favorably to a diet free of refined starches (see also: baked goods) and high in saturated fats.
 
The study, referenced in the prestigious Mayo Clinic's medical journal, outlined a 6-week period in which 23 obese subjects shed more than 5% of their body weight (along with a corresponding drop in body fat) while consuming the high-fat, low-carb diet. And in stark contrast to what you might think after being force-fed the low-fat mentality the mainstream's been cramming down our throats for the last 30 years, the subjects showed NO INCREASE WHATSOEVER in their levels of blood-borne HDL and LDL cholesterol.

They did exhibit a significant DECREASE in total levels of deadly triglycerides, however!

Despite this evidence (along with the ever-growing stacks of other encouraging findings), a related editorial article in the journal recommended studying the effects of "more rational diets" than the Atkins and other similar nutritional plans.  It just proves that just because you are a great big 'ol scientist from a big-deal medical place doesn't mean that you are RATIONAL.

But I ask you: What's more rational to an obese heart patient than a totally natural eating plan free of refined foods that quickly and radically slashes bodyweight and body fat percentage, cuts dangerous triglycerides, yet doesn't increase cholesterol at all? The "Food Pyramid?"

Yeah, maybe if they want their next-of-kin to get their inheritances faster.