As you say,there are conflicting studies. First the bad 'news'
One meta-analysis looked at both the risk of developing diabetes and the CVD risks associated with egg consumption.
They found that egg consumption did not increase CVD risk in the general population, but higher levels of egg consumption were associated with a higher increase the risk of developing diabetes in the general population .
They also found that those with diabetes who ate more eggs had a higher risk of CVD.
Now as they mention there could well be other confounding factors .One thought that came to me is that these trials took place when diabetics were explicitly told not to eat very many eggs. Could it be that those who ate a lot were also less to be 'compliant' in other ways? (we don't know)
In their discussion they suggest that people with T2 are at high risk of CVD and 'presumably' may be more sensitive to egg consumption. However they also mention a small trial where people with T2 eating 12 eggs a week on a high protein/low calorie diet had improved blood glucose,lipids and blood pressure. (so it may depend on diet context)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3683816/?report=reader
The high protein/ egg trial is here
http://journals.cambridge.org/download.php?file=/BJN/BJN105_04/S0007114510003983a.pdf&code=7802e5912c9f6fb167d2aaa56a4c8e16
Since that meta analysis there was a short trial reported at the EASD meeting which could be said to be the better news.
Interestingly the introduction points out the difference between guidelines in different countries
The Heart foundation in Australia suggests a limit of 6 eggs per week in the context of a low sat fat diet.
The US guidelines place a limit of 4 eggs per week in the context of a Med style diet (rather than low fat)
In the UK, however , there is no limit placed on the number of eggs per week. The emphasis is on lowering saturated fat,
In this 3 month trial , 140 people with T2 were randomised into two groups , one group eating less than 2 eggs a week, one eating 12 eggs per week.
Both diets had similar proportions of carbs, protein, fats and calories. It was a weight maintenance diet. Everyone was advised to replace saturated fats with mono and polyunsaturated fats.
There was no difference between the groups in terms of total cholesterol,LDL cholesterol, trigs or glucose control
There was no significant differences between HDL but there was a trend towards improved HDL levels in the high egg group
The people who ate eggs reported that they feeling fuller.
Conclusion : egg consumption did not have an adverse effect on the lipid profile of those with T2DM. This study suggests that a high egg diet can be included safely as part of dietary management of T2DM and it may provide greater satiety.
http://www.easdvirtualmeeting.org/resources/18756
So both these fairly recent trials on high egg eating and T2 showed possible increases in HDL and no other effects. Both defined high as 12 eggs per week.
(neither though was in the context of a high fat diet)
