Eggshell calcium in the treatment of osteoporosis
01. Jun, 2003 
2 Comments
In this paper the most significant biological and clinical aspects of a biopreparation made of chicken eggshells are reviewed. Eggshell powder is a natural source of calcium and other elements (e.g. strontium and fluorine) which may have a positive effect on bone metabolism. Experimental and clinical studies performed to date have shown a number of positive properties of eggshell powder, such as antirachitic effects in rats and humans. A positive effect was observed on bone density in animal models of postmenopausal osteoporosis in ovariectomized female rats. In vitro eggshell powder stimulates chondrocyte differentiation and cartilage growth. Clinical studies in postmenopausal women and women with senile osteoporosis showed that eggshell powder reduces pain and osteoresorption and increases mobility and bone density or arrests its loss. The bioavailability of calcium from this source, as tested in piglets, was similar or better than that of food grade purified calcium carbonate. Clinical and experimental studies showed that eggshell powder has positive effects on bone and cartilage and that it is suitable in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
Rovensky, J., Stancikova, M., Masaryk, P., Svik, K. and Istok, R. Eggshell calcium in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res, (2003) 23:83-92.
You say there is research supporting the absorption your eggshell calcium, but I am not seeing it. Where are the human trials?
Hi Nancy,
There are two main studies specifically supporting the enhanced absorption of ESC®. The first is an in vitro model (using human cells) in which proteins in eggshell calcium were shown to significantly enhance the transport of calcium through a model of the human intestinal lining (Ref. #2). The second study was an in vivo model using piglets to mimic human digestion and eggshell calcium was shown to be about 20% more absorbable than purified calcium carbonate (Ref. #1). You are right in wanting evidence in humans, and there have been a number of studies done in humans using eggshell calcium. The key difference is that the human studies evaluated improvement in bone mineral density (BMD) as opposed to specifically looking at absorption (Refs. #4, 5, & 6). However, growing new bone is the best indicator of true bioavailability of a calcium supplement, as one can see elevated blood levels of calcium without necessarily increasing BMD. This is what makes ESC® so unique in that it is in a natural form that is well utilized by the body and clinically shown to actually increase BMD — when combined with magnesium & Vitamin D3. The references are available on our website at the bottom of the page: http://www.esmingredients.com/branded-ingredients/esc/
Thanks for your interest in our products.
Kevin