Dr. Nick Norwitz Ate 720 Eggs in 30 Days — Here’s What Happened to His Cholesterol

In a bold and unconventional self-experiment, YouTuber and metabolic health researcher Dr. Nick Norwitz set out to answer a surprising question: What happens if you eat 24 eggs a day for an entire month? That's right—two cartons of eggs per day, every day, for 30 days, totaling a jaw-dropping 720 eggs.

The goal wasn’t just to test the limits of his digestion—it was to challenge conventional wisdom about cholesterol, diet, and heart health. His experiment, documented on his YouTube channel, sparked curiosity not only for its extremity but also for its surprisingly positive results.

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Pushing Nutritional Boundaries

Dr. Norwitz, who holds a PhD in metabolism from Oxford University, designed this experiment to test a controversial hypothesis: Could consuming high amounts of dietary cholesterol from eggs actually have little to no negative effect on blood cholesterol levels—particularly LDL, the so-called "bad cholesterol"?

By eating 24 eggs per day, he massively exceeded normal dietary cholesterol guidelines. The average egg contains about 186 mg of cholesterol—meaning Dr. Norwitz was consuming over 4,400 mg of cholesterol per day. For context, most health organizations recommend staying under 300 mg daily.

Yet, instead of seeing his cholesterol skyrocket, something completely unexpected happened.

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Cholesterol Went Down—Not Up

At the beginning of the experiment, Dr. Norwitz closely monitored his blood markers, including LDL cholesterol, often associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Contrary to mainstream expectations, his LDL levels didn’t increase—they dropped.

• After 2 weeks, his LDL decreased by 2%.

• By day 30, the drop was more substantial—an 18% decrease.

Even more surprisingly, his HDL ("good") cholesterol remained steady, and his triglyceride levels stayed healthy, indicating no signs of cardiovascular distress.

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Why Didn’t His Cholesterol Spike?

To make sense of these results, Dr. Norwitz turned to biochemistry. The key lies in how the body regulates cholesterol internally. Contrary to popular belief, the body doesn't passively absorb cholesterol from food. Instead, the liver dynamically adjusts how much cholesterol it produces based on what's consumed. When dietary cholesterol goes up, the liver usually produces less, helping maintain balance.

In the second half of his experiment, Norwitz also began adding more carbohydrates to his meals. This change, he theorized, contributed to further lowering LDL by influencing insulin levels and liver activity—both of which play key roles in cholesterol metabolism.

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Understanding Cholesterol’s Role in the Body

Cholesterol has long been misunderstood. While often painted as a villain in heart health, it’s actually a vital component in the human body. It helps build cell membranes, produce hormones like testosterone and estrogen, and even synthesize vitamin D.

Cholesterol is transported through the bloodstream by lipoproteins:

• LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein): Often called "bad cholesterol," because high levels can contribute to plaque buildup in arteries.

• HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein): The “good cholesterol” that helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream.

However, the type and size of LDL particles also matter. Larger, fluffy LDL particles are less dangerous than smaller, denser ones. Many people who experience slight increases in LDL from dietary cholesterol primarily see a rise in these larger, less harmful LDL particles.

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Eggs, Cholesterol, and Heart Health: A Changing Narrative

Dr. Norwitz's egg experiment echoes a growing body of research that questions the direct link between dietary cholesterol and heart disease. Several large-scale studies have found no significant association between egg consumption and increased heart disease risk in most people.

In fact, some research suggests that moderate egg consumption may improve cholesterol ratios, raising HDL and lowering triglycerides, particularly when eggs are part of a low-carb or balanced whole-food diet.

The American Heart Association has also shifted its stance in recent years, no longer placing strict limits on dietary cholesterol for most people. Their updated guidance emphasizes focusing on overall dietary patterns—like eating more vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats—rather than vilifying individual foods.

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Key Takeaways from Dr. Norwitz’s 720-Egg Challenge

• LDL cholesterol dropped by 18% over 30 days despite eating 24 eggs per day.

• No signs of inflammation or heart strain were detected in his lab results.

• The liver seems to compensate for high cholesterol intake by adjusting its own production.

• Adding carbohydrates in the latter half of the experiment further helped reduce LDL.

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Final Thoughts: Should You Try This at Home?

While Dr. Norwitz’s results were fascinating, they don’t suggest that everyone should start eating dozens of eggs a day. Individual responses to dietary cholesterol vary widely. Genetics, metabolic health, and other lifestyle factors all play a role in how your body handles fats and cholesterol.

However, his experiment highlights a growing consensus among researchers: dietary cholesterol isn’t the villain it was once thought to be, and whole foods like eggs can be part of a healthy diet.

If you’re curious about how cholesterol and nutrition affect your own health, it’s best to consult with a registered dietitian or healthcare professional. Personalized guidance based on your health history and goals is always the safest approach.