Benefits Of Eggshell Membrane Collagen

What is Eggshell Membrane Collagen?

Eggshell membrane collagen is a natural substance that is rich in various nutrients and types of collagen such as collagen I, V, and X as well as hyaluronic acid.

It comes from bird eggs and is harvested from the membrane between the shell and the whites of the eggs.

Eggshell membrane collagen is present in some foods and dietary supplements. People typically use it to improve the appearance of the hair and skin and also to preserve the normal functions of joints and bones. The National Institutes of Health describes eggshell membrane collagen like this:

“Natural Eggshell Membrane (NEM®) is a novel dietary supplement that contains naturally occurring glycosaminoglycans and proteins essential for maintaining healthy joint and connective tissues.”

Of course, this is a broad generalization of the benefits of eggshell membrane collagen. In the following sections, we will detail the specific health effects of this substance to give you a better idea of its value.

Eggshell Membrane Collagen and Joint Health

To understand how eggshell membrane collagen benefits joint health, we need to first understand what collagen is. The Cleveland Clinic describes collagen as a protein that provides, “structure, support or strength to your skin, muscles, bones and connective tissues.”

As we age, this protein naturally starts to deteriorate which is a contributing factor to joint pain and loss of mobility. Eggshell membrane works to restore the collagen in your joints which has remarkable effects. For instance, the National Institutes of Health has stated that:

“Particularly, the eggshell membrane has demonstrated efficacy in relieving joint pain and stiffness.”

Clinical studies have shown that eggshell membranes can help manage joint pain and improve joint flexibility. Because it is a pure source of collagen, eggshell membrane can help strengthen the connective tissues of the joints and stave off protein deterioration.

Skin Health Benefits

One of the active compounds that are naturally occurring in eggshell membrane cartilage is hyaluronic acid.

Hyaluronic acid is described by medical authorities as a lubricating substance that helps cushion and moisturize joints, skin, and other bodily tissues. It is a natural substance that is considered crucial for both joint and skin health.

In clinical studies, it has been found that hyaluronic acid is a molecule that can help the skin retain moisture. Hydration is key to overall skin health.

It helps prevent wrinkles, fine lines, and signs of skin aging. Because eggshell membrane collagen is rich in hyaluronic acid, it is beneficial for skin hydration.

As such, it is used in many high-quality skin supplements like Superderm Complex to enhance the skin’s moisture barrier and make it more resilient in the face of environmental stressors.

Hyaluronic acid has also been observed to slow down the degradation of skin proteins that are crucial for skin elasticity.

This means that hyaluronic acid can be used as an anti-aging substance that slows the progression of wrinkles, sagging skin, and other maladies of the skin.

Bone Health Support

Eggshell membrane collagen is also useful for maintaining good bone health. Several studies have concluded that eggshell membrane “improves mineralization in bone tissue.” In plain English, this means that eggshell collagen is capable of strengthening the bones and making the best use of the minerals you get in your diet.

Eggshell has even been observed to help regenerate lost bone tissue. The way that it does this is by stimulating the generation of new cells that help form bones in the first place.

Much like calcium, eggshell membrane collagen can support strong bones and prevent bone density loss.

This means that the eggshell membrane is crucial for preventing breaks and fractures - especially as you age.

Potential Benefits for Hair & Nails

One of the most important substances in the eggshell membrane is collagen. Remember that collagen supports connective tissues in the body and prevents the loss of important structural proteins. This collagen is what gives the eggshell membrane its healing effects on hair.

Studies have shown that eggshell membrane supplementation can actually thicken hair follicles and stimulate hair growth. A study conducted by the National Institutes of Health found that:

“Oral hydrolyzed eggshell membrane ingestion was associated with a significant improvement in facial skin appearance in crow's feet in 4 weeks and skin tone in 8 weeks, with significant impact on hair thickness, reduction in hair breakage and improvement in hair growth at 4, 8, and 12 weeks.”

The effects of eggshell membrane collagen on nails are still widely debated. While some studies suggest that it strengthens nails, others have found that it yields no observable difference. However, studies on the effects of eggshell membrane collagen on nails have not been extensive.

Eggshell Membrane Collagen Side Effects

Fortunately, there is little risk of side effects as a result of eggshell membrane collagen supplementation. Studies into the side effects of this substance have not yielded any conclusive or consistent results.

This means that in general, there are no typical side effects that are associated with eggshell membrane collagen.

However, everyone’s health is different and your body may be particularly sensitive to collagen supplementation.

As such, a small contingent of users may experience mild digestive issues, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, allergic reactions, nausea, or headaches.

In most cases, these side effects were not serious and did not last for very long. To this day, there is no study data to suggest that eggshell membrane collagen causes any specific side effects.

How to Incorporate Eggshell Membrane Collagen Into Your Diet

One of the ways that you can reap the benefits of eggshell membrane collagen is by boiling eggshells. Start by washing eggshells and adding them to boiling water for a couple of hours.

Allow the shells to completely dry and then crush them with a mortar and pestle until they become a fine to coarse powder.

You can add this powder to a broth or any kind of meal for an added boost of calcium, collagen, hyaluronic acid, glucosamine, and chondroitin.

If you want to avoid this multi-stop process though, you can always try a high-quality eggshell membrane collagen supplement like Superderm Complex. Taking a collagen supplement is very convenient and saves a lot of time.

If you want to use eggshell membrane collagen to relieve joint pain, stiffness, and reap its periphery health benefits, it is recommended that you take a 500 milligram dosage daily.