Carthage, Missouri, May 5, 2009 – ESM Technologies, the leading supplier of innovative, commercialized eggshell
and eggshell membrane wellness ingredients, announced a study evaluating its proprietary NEM® (Natural Eggshell
Membrane) material in patients with joint pain and stiffness has been published in the peer-reviewed medical journal
Clinical Rheumatology (DOI: 10.1007/s10067-009-1173-4).
Conducted in the United States, the double-blind, placebo-controlled Osteoarthritis Pain Treatment IncorpOrating
NEM® (OPTION) Study, tested the effects of a 500 mg daily dose of NEM® on pain and stiffness associated with
osteoarthritis of the knee. Sixty seven subjects were enrolled in the study and were randomized to either the NEM®
treatment group or to a placebo. Subjects were evaluated at 10, 30 and 60 days for joint pain, stiffness and function
using the Western Ontario and McMasters Universities (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index.
Compared to placebo, NEM® produced an average 15% reduction in pain and an average 13% reduction in stiffness in
just 10 days. Perhaps most impressive, thirty three percent of the subjects receiving NEM® experienced greater
than a 30% reduction in pain in just 10 days and 25% of subjects experienced greater than a 50% improvement in
stiffness over the same period. After 60 days, 32% of the NEM® group experienced more than a 50% reduction in pain
while stiffness continued to improve, registering an average 27% reduction compared to placebo. In fact, by the end
of the trial, NEM® had cut stiffness in half in a majority of the patients.
"What I found most remarkable about the study was the quickness in which people responded to the eggshell
membrane preparation,” stated Anne Winkler, MD, Ph.D. a rheumatologist and one of the study’s authors. “Generally,
we tell patients taking over-the-counter products that contain glucosamine that it may be two to three months before
they notice any benefits. The fact that within a fairly short period of time they noticed a definite improvement in
symptomology was impressive.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the number of Americans who suffer from joint problems is much higher
than once thought. The federal agency had estimated in 1997 that 43 million U.S. adults experience pain, stiffness and
swelling around the joints.[i] However, more recent data shows the number is more like 70 million — or an astounding
one in three.[ii]
In addition to the primary end points of change in WOMAC, NEM® was also evaluated for safety. There were no
serious adverse events reported during the trial and the treatment was reported to be well-tolerated by study subjects.
Due to the fact the participants where only required to take one 500 mg capsule of NEM® per day — versus three 500-
mg capsules of glucosamine per day — they were generally compliant with the treatment. “I do a fair amount of
medical research, and I would say there were very little comments or concerns about the preparation that they were
taking,” said Dr. Winkler. “So I think that compliance and lack of side effects was something we saw pretty
consistently throughout the trial.”
When the number of pills patients are required to take is increased, absolute compliance is significantly decreased. “If
you look at someone who’s on one pill a day, average compliance is about 80%,” Dr. Winkler explained. “If you have
someone on two pills a day, it drops down to about 50%. If you have someone on three or more pills a day, it’s more
like 20 or 25% in terms of compliance.” Therefore, the fact that NEM® requires just one capsule per day to achieve
clinically relevant reductions in pain and stiffness is a significant benefit.
"We’re thrilled that Clinical Rheumatology has published our study,” said Chris Haynes, National Sales Manager for
ESM Technologies. “A lot of companies tout that their joint pain ingredient has been clinically tested, but has their
research been accepted for publication in a highly respected journal that’s been reviewed by other medical
professionals to ensure it meets current scientific standards? NEM® has.”
The new study confirms previous research conducted on NEM® and published in the medical journal Clinical
Interventions in Aging. Two 30-day open-label human clinical trials had previously shown that NEM® significantly
reduced joint pain and increased range of motion in less than ten days.
About ESM Technologies
ESM Technologies is the leading supplier of eggshell calcium and eggshell membrane wellness ingredients. Located in
Carthage, Missouri, the company researches, develops and manufactures high-quality branded ingredients from a
traceable and sustainable supply of USDA-inspected facilities. ESM’s chemical-free, patented process has allowed the
introduction of innovative and unique ingredients to the marketplace: NEM® (Natural Eggshell Membrane) and ESC®
(EggShell Calcium).
For more informationContact:
Robin Harding
NutraSense Inc.
800-350-7017 ext. 108
