Last August, I wrote an article in Vitamin Retailer about topical skin benefits of water-soluble eggshell membrane (WSEM). In this current article, I’m going to address the benefits of this fascinating material for joint health. As with the previous article, let’s start this one with some background information about eggshell membrane.
Eggshell Membrane Background
Eggshell membrane is the thin membrane just under the shell that you sometimes have difficulty removing when you’re peeling a hard-boiled egg. WSEM is a unique water-soluble ingredient rich in the proteins collagen and elastin, a family of glycosaminoglycans that include chondroitin, glucosamine and hyaluronic acid, as well as the components desmosine and isodesmosine. Each of these components is native to eggshell membrane. Furthermore, eggshell membrane has been shown to increase cellular activity and collagen production.1
Chicken eggshell membrane has especially received technological attention in the continued pursuit of improved biological and biodegradable matrices for regeneration in wounds,2,3 nerves4 and joints/cartilage. Proteoglycans in eggshell membrane (formed of glycosaminoglycans) have been successful in treating nonhealing wounds and burns due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and similarity to macromolecules found in the human body.5 As a dietary supplement, eggshell membrane was found to be a successful treatment for pain and inflexibility caused by joint and connective tissue disorders in several clinical studies.6,7 Now let’s take a look at the human research on WSEM.
WSEM Study 1
BiovaFlex, a WSEM ingredient (450 mg/day) manufactured by Biova, LLC, was evaluated in an open-label, six-week pilot study for safety and efficacy in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain and flexibility in 42 subjects with history of arthritic type joint pain or connective tissue disorder with a reduced range of motion. For study purposes, the knee joint was specified and monitored for the six-week duration of the study. Subjects were clinically evaluated at established intervals for both effectiveness (pain level and total flexion) and overall health evaluations. Assessments were made at two, four and six weeks. Daily online tracking and measurement of the subject’s joint pain was recorded via the Western Ontario and McMasters University (WOMAC) Abbreviated Index. Results were that pain symptoms were reduced 8.25 percent from base line within seven days and 23.77 percent from baseline within 10 days. The average WOMAC value across all subjects fell from 4.61 (baseline) to 3.69 (study end). A reduction of 0.97 or 20.78 percent. (P<0.0001). This reduction in absolute pain is significant in that the pain relief overcame the pain increases normally associated with increases in flexion (the action of bending a limb or joint). Improved knee functionality in just seven days was 9.191 percent, and 10.14 percent from baseline within 14 days. Relative knee functionality improved 37.8 percent over the course of six weeks. The safety profile was remarkable with no reported adverse events. This study concludes that WSEM (BiovaFlex, Biova) is an effective and safe alternative treatment for musculoskeletal pain and stiffness as associated with the knee.
WSEM Study 2
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study,8 including two four-week periods of placebo and 450 mg/day WSEM (BiovaFlex, Biova) consumption separated by a four-week washout period, evaluated the effects on joint function in an otherwise healthy population of 25 study participants experiencing chronic pain. The participants were randomized to either the ‘‘placebo-first’’ or ‘‘WSEM first’’ sequence in the crossover trial, and 22 participants completed the study requirements. Range of motion (ROM) was assessed using digital inclinometry for joints associated with vertical weight bearing from neck to knees and for shoulders. Pain at rest and when physically active was scored for the same anatomical areas using visual analog scales (i.e. a psychometric response scale, which can be used in questionnaires). Physical functioning was tracked using questionnaires with visual analog scales (VAS). The results showed that consumption of WSEM was associated with improved ROM for neck, spine, hips, and knees, with ROM for the neck and right knee being significantly improved during WSEM consumption compared to placebo (P < 0.05). ROM improvement for the dominant shoulder was highly significant during WSEM consumption (P< 0.01). Physical activity levels and physical energy levels were significantly higher after WSEM than after placebo consumption (P < 0.05). Many aspects of physical functioning as part of daily living improved. Subgroup analysis showed rapid improvement of lower back pain after five days of WSEM consumption compared to placebo consumption (P < 0.05) in subjects who participated in the study during the winter season. Daily consumption of 450 mg WSEM was associated with improved joint function, comfort during daily activities, and increased physical activity.
Additional Research
A recently completed 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study evaluated the effects of daily consumption of 450 mg WSEM (BiovaFlex, Biova) in 88 subjects. Results showed significantly improved performance in the most physically compromised individuals in five days and in the entire treatment cohort by 12 weeks. The product was found to be safe.9
Conclusion
Human research has demonstrated that water-soluble eggshell membrane (BiovaFlex, Biova) is safe and effective in the treatment of arthritic type joint pain or connective tissue disorder. This includes an overall 23.77 percent reduction in pain within 10 days, improved range of motion for neck, spine, hips and knees, a rapid improvement of joint and lower back pain after five days, as well as significant improvement in physical performance in five days that continued over 12 weeks. These benefits were achieved with a daily dose of 450 mg. VR
References:
1 Candilish JK, Scougall RK. L-5-hydroxylysine as a constituent of the shell membrane of the hen’s egg. Int J Protein Res. 1969;1:299-306.
2 Yang JY, Chuang SS, Yang WG, Tsay PK. Egg membrane as a new biological dressing in split-thickness skin graft donor sites: A preliminary clinical evaluation. Chang Gung Med J. 2003;26:153–159.
3 Maeda K, Sasaki Y. An experience of hen-egg membrane as a biological dressing. Burns. 1981;8:313–316.
4 Farjah GH, Heshmatian B, Karimipour M, Saben A. Using eggshell membrane as nerve guide channels in peripheral nerve regeneration. Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2013;16:901–905
5 Mogosanu GD, Grumezescu AM. Natural and synthetic polymers for wounds and burns dressing. Int J Pharm. 2014;463:127–136.
6 Ruff KJ, DeVore DP, Leu MD, Robinson MA. 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.
7 Ruff KJ, Winkler A, Jackson RW, DeVore DP, Ritz BW. 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.
8 Jensen GS, Lenninger MR, Beaman JL, Taylor R, Benson KF. Support of Joint Function, Range of Motion, and Physical Activity Levels by Consumption of a Water-Soluble Egg Membrane Hydrolyzate. J Med Food. 2015 Sep;18(9):1042-8.
9 Unpublished study. (Submitted for publication). 2019: 13 pgs.
Gene Bruno, MS, MHS, the dean of academics for Huntington College of Health Sciences, is a nutritionist, herbalist, writer and educator. For more than 30 years he has educated and trained natural product retailers and health care professionals, has researched and formulated natural products for dozens of dietary supplement companies, and has written articles on nutrition, herbal medicine, nutraceuticals and integrative health issues for trade, consumer magazines and peer-reviewed publications. He can be reached at [email protected].
