Advanced egg

Flex, August, 2003 by Jim Stoppani

Q: Does "hyperimmune" egg powder offer any advantages to bodybuilders that regular eggs don't?

A: Hyperimmune eggs, from which the powder is made, contain the same amount of calories, protein and fat as regular eggs, but hyperimmune eggs contain additional antibodies and other immune factors. Hyperimmune eggs are eggs laid by chickens that have been injected with inactivated bacteria (the idea is similar to human vaccination). The result is an egg that's loaded with immune factors, which is then turned into a supplement.

In the steps leading to hyperimmune egg powder, the chicken definitely comes before the egg. First, the chicken is injected with certain bacteria that are known to be harmful in humans (such as Salmonella, E. coli, Shigella, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Kiebsiella, Haemophilus and Streptococcus). The chicken's immune system produces antibodies against these foreign substances. The antibodies and other immune factors are passed from the chicken's blood to the eggs that it lays. Finally, the eggs are dried, powdered and processed into hyperimmune formulas.

By eating the egg powder, bodybuilders receive antibodies/immune factors, as well as possible protection from a number of illnesses and other potential benefits. According to Hellen C. Greenblatt, PHD, vice president of biotech company Legacy for Life and an expert in this technology, "Hyperimmune egg products provide joint, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular benefits, as well as enhanced energy and feelings of well-being. In fact, many bodybuilders report that they experience shorter recovery times and greater strength improvements."

So far, the clinical trials have focused on patients with arthritis, wasting syndrome and high cholesterol. No research has been done on the effects of hyperimmune egg powder on strength, muscle growth or athletic performance, so individual reports are all we have to go by. Even anecdotal evidence from the gym crowd is limited. If you routinely train with high intensity, have persistently sore joints, are frequently sick experience stomach problems or believe that your diet is lacking in variety of nutrients, you may see good results by adding hyperimmune egg powder to your nutrition plan.