Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent form of arthritis, affecting millions worldwide, and current pharmacological treatments often have limited efficacy or significant side effects. Eggshell membrane (ESM), a natural source of collagen, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, and dermatan sulfate, has emerged as a promising dietary supplement for joint health. The objective of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy of a 500 mg daily dose of eggshell membrane supplement (MembraSport) on joint pain, functional capacity, quality of life, and isokinetic strength in recreationally active adults over a 60-day period. Fifty-nine recreationally active subjects (aged 18–55 years) with persistent joint pain (hip, knee, or ankle) were randomized to receive either MembraSport (n=30) or placebo (n=29). Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), functional capacity via the WOMAC questionnaire, quality of life via the EQ-5D questionnaire, and isokinetic strength via dynamometry at 180°/s. After 60 days, the MembraSport group showed a statistically significant reduction in joint pain (p=0.049 at rest; p=0.009 during physical activity), a significant improvement in WOMAC functional capacity scores (p=0.003), and a significant improvement in quality of life (p=0.017). Isokinetic parameters consistently favored the MembraSport group, with a notable reduction in the fatigue index (−3.16% vs. +2.45% in placebo), greater gains in total work (+145.28 J vs. +95.87 J), and improvements in peak torque, suggesting enhanced muscular endurance and joint function. Both groups significantly improved average power, reflecting ongoing physical activity benefits. No adverse events were reported, confirming an excellent safety profile. These findings demonstrate that daily supplementation with 500 mg of eggshell membrane for 60 days is a safe and effective complementary approach that significantly improves pain perception, functional capacity, and quality of life, while also showing consistent improvements across all isokinetic performance parameters in recreationally active adults with joint pain.
Javier Moran (Tue,) studied this question.