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NOW Foods’ New Eggshell Membrane (NEM)

By Nena Dockery – Technical Services Manager, Stratum Nutrition

NOW Foods is launching a highly effective product into the joint health category—eggshell membrane, featuring the branded ingredient, NEM. NEM brand eggshell membrane is a wholefood source ingredient that can help to maintain healthy articular cartilage and the surrounding synovial tissue by nourishing joints, as well as by supporting a balanced immune response to typical daily wear and tear.* The recommended dose of NOW’s Eggshell Membrane is only ONE, 500 milligram capsule of NEM daily.

NEM is a unique multi-patented, U.S.-domestic ingredient, made from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspected, egg breaker shells and cGMP (current good manufacturing practice) manufactured in the Midwest. This translates into a highly sustainable, traceable ingredient from farm to supplement. NEM is the most researched eggshell membrane ingredient for joint health, backed by multiple published studies highlighting its exceptional safety and benefits to joints and the surrounding soft tissue.* It is primarily composed of fibrous proteins, including collagen types I, V and X, as well as glycosaminoglycans, such as chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid. All of these nutrients occur naturally within NEM—a complete solution for supporting joint health safely.

The efficacy of NEM is supported by two open-label pilot clinical studies and one multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human clinical trial demonstrating that a once daily 500 mg dose of NEM significantly improves normal joint comfort and flexibility.1,2 In the open-label studies, a significant reduction in pain was noted at both seven- and 30-day evaluations. In the RCT study, the evaluations occurred at 10, 30 and 60 days with significance at the 10-day time period and continuation of the positive trend throughout the 60-day study period. No evaluations were made in either study at earlier time periods, so it is possible that the beneficial effects might have had statistical significance sooner than seven to 10 days in the treatment period.*

Furthermore, an independent, multicenter, open-label clinical trial conducted in Germany was published in 2014 reaffirming the findings from the U.S. studies.3 This study demonstrated that one 500 mg dose/day of NEM significantly reduced occasional pain in individuals with age-related knee or hip ”wear and tear,” both rapidly and continuously, with no notable side effects.*

Augmenting the results of these efficacy studies are three studies detailing a potential mechanism of action for NEM’s benefits. The first was an in-vitro human cell culture study which provided preliminary evidence that NEM exerts an immunomodulatory effect on the uncontrolled release of specific cytokines, such as TNF-α.4 These findings were then supported by results from an animal study revealing that oral supplementation of NEM can influence both early-phase and later-phase cytokines involved in normal tissue reactivity.5 The third and most recent study on NEM’s mechanism of action was an in-vitro study assessing how various eggshell membrane proteins might impact the gene transcription factor, NF-kB, in human cell cultures.6 NF-kB plays a fundamental role in the normal functioning of the immune system and occurs very early in the cascade related to tissue response to occasional stress.* NEM’s ability to affect NF-kB may help to explain the joint health-supporting effects observed in the clinical setting.

From individuals who engage in regular sports or athletic endeavors, to those who simply want to remain active into middle-age and beyond, NOW’s Eggshell Membrane can be an important addition to any daily supplement regimen.

References:
1 Ruff KJ, et al: Eggshell membrane: A possible new natural therapeutic for joint and connective tissue disorders. Results from two open label human clinical studies. Clin Interv Aging (2009) 4: 235-240.
2 Ruff KJ, et al: Eggshell membrane in the treatment of pain and stiffness from osteoarthritis of the knee: A randomized, multicenter, double blind, placebo controlled clinical study. Clin Rheumatol (2009): 28:907-914.
3 Danesch U, et al: NEM® brand eggshell membrane effective in the treatment of pain associated with knee and hip osteoarthritis: Results from a six-center, open-label German clinical study. J Arthritis (2014) 3:3.
4 Benson KF, Ruff KJ, and Jensen GS: Effects of natural eggshell membrane (NEM) on cytokine production in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells: increased suppression of tumor necrosis factor-levels after in vitro digestion. J Med Food (2012) 15(4):360-368.
5 Ruff KJ and DeVore DP: Reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines in rats following 7-day oral supplementation with a proprietary eggshell membrane-derived product. Mod Res Inflamm (2014) 3:19-25.
6 Ruff KJ, et al: Eggshell membrane hydrolyzates activate NF-κB in vitro: possible implications for in vivo efficacy. J Inflamm Res (2015) 8:49-57.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.