ESM Technologies: Offering ‘Eggcellent’ Nutrition Solutions

According to ESM Technologies’ tagline, it all started with an egg. Indeed, this Carthage, MO-based company was established in 2002 to develop unutilized eggshells into healthy products for the dietary supplement and functional food industries. Its raw material source includes a controlled—and virtually limitless—supply of eggshell and eggshell membrane from USDA inspected facilities.

Micah Osborne, president, explained. “Liquid egg products are produced in large plants where they break eggs and package the liquid in cartons or load them into large tank trucks,” he said. “Until now, the eggshells were disposed of either by land applying or sending them to the landfill. It is estimated that the U.S. alone disposes of over 600,000 tons of eggshells per year. ESM Technologies found a solution for turning an environmental problem into a valuable source of nutrients that helps people live more full and healthy lives.”

Two of the company’s star ingredients include Natural Eggshell Membrane, or NEM, which is geared toward joint health, and Eggshell Calcium, or ESC, which is positioned for bone health. NEM, a patented ingredient, contains a naturally occurring combination of glycosaminoglycans, including chondroitin and hyaluronic acid. It also boasts a high content of collagen and other proteins. All of these compounds are essential for healthy joint function.

ESC contains a natural form of calcium carbonate, along with the inherent proteins required for calcium absorption. Research has shown that ESC is 20% more absorbable than other forms of calcium carbonate. It also contains a variety of trace minerals critical to increasing bone mineral density.

Most recently, the company put its NEM ingredient to the test in a randomized, multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, which investigated the effectiveness of NEM for the relief of pain and stiffness associated with moderate osteoarthritis of the knee. Published in the April edition of the journal Clinical Rheumatology, the study investigated 67 patients who were randomly assigned to receive either 500 mg of NEM (n=34) or placebo (n=33) daily for eight weeks.

According to the researchers, supplementation with NEM produced an average 16% reduction in pain versus placebo, with about one-third of these patients experiencing greater than 30% reduction in pain in just 10 days. By the end of the 60-day trial, patients had maintained an average 15% reduction in pain versus placebo and nearly one-third of these patients reported a 50% reduction in pain by the end of the study. Supplementation with NEM also produced an average 13% reduction in joint stiffness versus placebo, with about one-fourth of these patients experiencing a more than 50% reduction in stiffness in just 10 days. Stiffness had improved by an average 27% versus placebo by the end of the study, with more than half of these patients experiencing greater than 50% reduction in stiffness by day 60.

Mr. Osborne elaborated on the growing importance of clinical substantiation in the nutraceuticals industry. “R&D efforts into new ingredients are critical for our industry to define itself moving forward,” he said. “As we see additional ingredients supported by strong clinical trials, we continue to see an industry gaining support and trust from the consumer.”

In terms of the future, Mr. Osborne is optimistic. “I believe we are in an exciting time for our industry. We are showing that yet again the natural products industry does well even in a down economy.”—R.W.

ESM Technologies, LLC
P.O. Box 414
2213 Missouri Avenue
Carthage, MO 64836
Telephone: 417-358-4822; 800-436-1890
Fax: 417-358-4954
E-mail: info@esmingredients.com
Website: www.esmingredients.com