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Esm4.3

Eggshell Membrane Research

Mostly mechanism / observationalHigh safety

5 peer-reviewed studies

What the evidence says

Mostly mechanism / observational

Most Eggshell Membrane studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.

Most evidence is from medium-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2009–2024 with a typical study size of 67 participants.

Based on 5 studies · 1 meta-analysis · 4 RCTs · 277 total participants

Confidence

Moderate

By outcome

Joint pain & arthritisReduces knee osteoarthritis pain and stiffness, often within weeks · 1-4 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational5 studies

Active research area

2 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2024

200920162024

1Meta-Analysis2024

A systematic review/meta-analysis found natural eggshell membrane significantly reduced pain and improved function (WOMAC) in knee osteoarthritis.

Garcia-Munoz AM et al. · Nutrients (2024)

Reduced pain and improved WOMAC function in knee OA
Effect sizes moderate; trials mostly single-manufacturer (NEM)

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2RCTn=67 · small study2009

A multicenter randomized trial found eggshell membrane reduced joint pain and stiffness.

Ruff KJ et al. · Clin Rheumatol (2009)

Reduced joint pain and stiffness vs baseline
Multicenter RCT (n=67)
Benefit within 7-30 days

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3RCTn=60 · small study2018

A randomized trial in healthy postmenopausal women found eggshell membrane improved the cartilage marker CTX-II and recovery-day pain, though immediate pain was not significant.

Ruff KJ et al. · Clin Interv Aging (2018)

Healthy postmenopausal women with exercise-induced joint discomfort
Primary win was the cartilage marker CTX-II; immediate pain was NOT significant (only recovery-day pain/stiffness improved)
NEM-brand eggshell membrane

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4RCTn=150 · medium study2021

A randomized trial (n=150, 300 mg) in knee OA found the primary pain endpoint was not significant; only some KOOS subscales improved.

Kiers JL et al. · J Med Food (2021)

Knee OA trial (n=150, 300 mg) — the primary pain endpoint (NRS-P) was NOT significant
Significant only on KOOS Pain and Daily-Life subscales

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5RCT2016

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in dogs found eggshell membrane reduced osteoarthritis-related pain.

Ruff KJ et al. · Vet Med (Auckl) (2016)

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in DOGS (canine OA)
Veterinary evidence — reduced lameness/pain vs placebo
Supports mechanism, not human efficacy

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View in Research Library

Eggshell Membrane Research

Mostly mechanism / observational

Efficacy of Eggshell Membrane in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Eggshell membrane in the treatment of pain and stiffness from osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study.

Beneficial effects of natural eggshell membrane versus placebo in exercise-induced joint pain, stiffness, and cartilage turnover in healthy, postmenopausal women.

Mildly Processed Natural Eggshell Membrane Alleviates Joint Pain Associated with Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study.

Effectiveness of NEM((R)) brand eggshell membrane in the treatment of suboptimal joint function in dogs: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.