First Evidence of NEM’s Chondroprotective Effects Published

25 Sep 2015 --- Stratum Nutrition in collaboration with the Traditional & Biomedical Research Center within Daejeon University and Ju Yeong NS Co., Ltd., is pleased to announce a new research study on NEM brand eggshell membrane has been published. The study further validates NEM’s mechanism of action and reveals exciting insights on NEM’s ability to support joint health.

Dr. Kevin J. Ruff, Sr. Director of Scientific & Regulatory Affairs for Stratum Nutrition which distributes NEM globally, says; “NEM brand eggshell membrane was the innovator eggshell membrane ingredient and its benefits were initially discovered more than a decade ago. In the time since, we have conducted a great deal of research culminating in the publication of a dozen peer-reviewed manuscripts, including 4 independent studies. Our rigorous scientific approach lead to the approval by Health Canada of osteoarthritis pain treatment claims. NEM-containing products are sold in more than a dozen countries around the world.”

Researchers evaluated three doses of NEM (including the human equivalent dose of 52 mg/kg) in a rat model of osteoarthritis over 6 weeks. As in prior research, NEM again demonstrated powerful anti-inflammatory effects, in this case on the inflammation biomarkers Interleukin 1-beta (IL-1?) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP). And, for the first time, chondroprotective effects were revealed from NEM treatment. NEM was found to reduce circulating cartilage degrading enzymes known as Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) and was shown to reduce serum levels of the cartilage degradation biomarker CTX-II. Importantly, the demonstrated chondroprotective effects were validated through histology, wherein a blinded pathologist evaluated cartilage thickness and joint space width both microscopically and via micro CT scan. The results of this study were published in the August issue of the Journal of Nutrition and Health (DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4163/jnh.2015.48.4.310).

Dr Ruff says; “Regarding the current study, the chondroprotective effects demonstrated with the human equivalent dose (52 mg/kg) of NEM are nearly unprecedented for a joint health dietary ingredient, particularly over such a short time frame. I believe that at least some of this protection results from an immune system phenomenon known as ‘oral tolerance’. NEM contains collagen, proteoglycans, and hyaluronan in small quantities and I believe the repeated enteric exposure to these fragments convinces the immune system to reduce the autoimmune response to cartilage fragments that result from arthritis. This is likely possible as a result of our gentle manufacturing process wherein we try to keep the eggshell membrane closer to the way nature intended it, as opposed to using a harsh chemical process to make it un-naturally water soluble.”

He goes on to say; “The Korean researchers did a wonderful job of demonstrating the myriad benefits that NEM offers to arthritis sufferers. We are particularly excited about the chondroprotective effects shown with NEM and we have filed patent applications internationally surrounding this use for eggshell membrane,” commented Dr. Ruff.
This study, along with additional published studies, show further substantiation for NEM supporting a healthy inflammatory response.