Eggshell membrane powder alleviates joint pain associated with knee osteoarthritis

01 Oct 2020 --- Eggbrane, an eggshell membrane powder produced by Dutch ingredient manufacturer Depp, has been found to relieve long-lasting joint pain, most notably osteoarthritis, with significant results after the first week of supplementation.

A study with these findings, published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, set out to determine the extent to which chicken eggshell membrane alleviates long-term joint stiffness and pain. Notably, most existing studies have only made a scientific connection between eggshell membrane intake and short-term pain relief.

“It is thought that Eggbrane delivers specific bioactive components as well as cartilage building blocks. The exact mechanism of actions remains to be elucidated; the current study is showing efficacy but not aimed at identifying the mechanism of action,” lead study author Jeroen Kiers, founder of nutrition consultancy JLK Nutrition, tells NutritionInsight.

Over 12 weeks, 75 participants, aged 40 to 75, were given capsules that contained 300 mg of Eggbrane, a dose equivalent to the nutrients in over six eggs. Meanwhile, a control group of 75 other participants received a placebo.

Eggshell membrane is a waste product from the egg processing industry.Self-reported pain scores gained after six and 12 weeks demonstrated that Eggbrane reduced knee osteoarthritis pain and improved daily life functioning, contrary to a placebo.

Creating the ingredient
Depp made its Eggbrane powder available for the food and supplement industry last year. The company separates the membrane from the eggshell of fresh hen eggs to obtain the membrane without using chemicals or additives.

Eggbrane is also processed without using heat treatment, which preserves the original characteristics and the quality of proteins, collagen and hyaluronic acid, which are known ingredients for cartilage and bone maintenance. 

The study also highlights that eggshell membranes contain various potential anabolic factors lacking in a typical Western diet. 

Last year, a study found crushed eggshells combined with a hydrogel mixture can help repair bones in patients with injuries due to aging, accidents, cancer or military combat. 

Upcycling trend scrambles forward
Worldwide, thousands of tons of eggshells are produced annually as a byproduct of the poultry industry. “Disposal of these eggshells creates an environmental and financial burden and, therefore, alternative uses for these materials would be of obvious benefit,” the current study reads.

“Eggbrane is all about upcycling and you do see this trend emerging. There are many initiatives on identifying and isolating interesting compounds in and out of the waste stream. This is sometimes directly and sometimes through conversions such as fermentation,” Kiers points out.

Upcycling these eggshells taps into the naturality trend in supplements, he continues, especially since pills and tables are seen typically as chemical. Meanwhile, the study maintains that Eggbrane presents a means of affordable health care and the sustainable use of food industry waste.

Eggshell membranes have previously been used in Stratum Nutrition’s NEM and Ancient Nutrition’s Multi Collagen Protein Capsules.

By Anni Schleicher