A product based on eggshell membrane alleviated pain from osteoarthritis, according to researchers in The Netherlands. They said that the product offered affordable health care as well as a sustainable use of a food waste material.
Affecting millions of people worldwide, osteoarthritis is a chronic condition leading to significant pain that adversely impacts both quality of life and functionality.
Starting one week after the start of the Dutch trial, patients taking a daily capsule containing the chicken eggshell membrane (EM) reported an improvement in their scores for knee pain. For two of the five criteria included in the self-reported scoring system, the differences from the control group (placebo) were statistically significant. These two scores covered “Pain” and “Daily life” functioning, aggregate pain, and functioning scores derived from a range of daily activities.
As a double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention study, neither the participants nor the researchers knew which of the volunteers were receiving the EM product or the placebo control. A total of 150 participants — male and female, aged 40-75 years — took part in the study. The two groups of equal size were balanced as far as possible for gender and age. The trial lasted 12 weeks.
While the placebo capsules contained inert maltodextrin, each EM capsule contained 300mg of Eggbrane, which is a dried and ground product from eggshell membrane.
The research paper — entitled “Mildly processed natural eggshell membrane alleviates joint pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study” — was recently published in the Journal of Medicinal Food (Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.).
Authors were Jeroen Lucas Kiers (JLK Nutrition) and Johannes Hendrikus Franciscus Bult (Applegg). Both organizations are based in Amersfoort, The Netherlands. The study was funded by DEPP B.V. of The Netherlands.
Eggshell membrane products
The product tested in the study reported by Kiers and Bult was Eggbrane from Dutch Eggmembrane Protein Powder or DEPP B.V.
It comprises dried and ground membranes, which are separated from the eggshell by water-based extraction following the processing of eggs for liquid egg products. According to the firm, no chemicals are used in the “specially developed, sustainable, and environmentally friendly technology.”
Produced using a natural process, Eggbrane comprises 100% natural eggshell membrane. It contains collagen, hyaluronic acid, glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfate, which are nutrients required by the body to maintain and rebuild cartilage and bone.
According to the company, its special manufacturing process, the company says Eggbrane has many applications, including food, food supplements, pet food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Sustainable ways with eggshell waste
Back in 2009, researchers at Georgia Tech in the U.S. partnered with the state’s egg industry to identify ways of monetizing eggshell wastes.
While some eggshells had been rendered and incorporated into animal feeds, most of the material was destined for landfill. However, the Georgia Tech studies revealed the shells contained components of use to the papermaking, pharmaceutical, and biochemistry industries. Researchers went on to develop a method of separating the shell from the membrane, and uses for the resulting calcium carbonate.
In 2015, research by NIS Labs in the U.S. revealed that daily consumption of hydrolyzed water-soluble egg membrane (BiovaFlex from Biova LLC) improved joint function in people experiencing chronic pain. As a result, the patients were able to become more physically active.
In a subsequent study published in 2019, scientists at Central Michigan University and other institutions confirmed that daily consumption of the same product increased both walking distance and ability. It also reduced stiffness by the fifth day of supplementation. The greatest benefit was seen by the most compromised individuals, and the improvements were maintained over the whole 12-week trial period.
A product based on eggshell membrane alleviated pain from osteoarthritis, according to researchers in The Netherlands. They said that the product offered affordable health care as well as a sustainable use of a food waste material.
