Eggshells Are A Good Source Of Bio-Available Calcium

Americans Are Big On Calcium Supplements

Americans are big on calcium. In fact, the number one supplement sold in America is calcium. What is not well known is that most Americans are also unknowingly buying and throwing away a bio-available form calcium supplement almost every day. If only they knew that eggshells can be used as a good source of bio-available calcium.

According to Dutch research eggshells have a very positive effect on bone density when combined with other minerals such as magnesium and zinc along with vitamin D according to a double blind placebo study. This information is corroborated by a Japanese study by the Japan Women's University. The Japanese study was done on a combination of eggshell calcium and vitamin D3, which was conducted on animals that were shown to have osteoporosis. The study concluded that the combination was able to raise bone density levels without significantly raising blood calcium levels.

Eggshells Are Composed Of Calcium And Trace Minerals

Eggshells are mostly composed of calcium, but they also contain at least 27 trace micro-elements. According to Mikhail Tombak PhD, the calcium contained in eggshells is up to 90% absorbable by our bodies. This leads us to believe that it is a much better, not to mention more natural source of calcium for our bodies than limestone or coral sources. Besides, how often do you see animals eating rocks in the wild? Now, how often will a wolf or other animal steal eggs from a nest and eat the shell along with the yolk?

Why not just eat milk and dairy? According to the largest nutritional study ever done by T. Colin Campbell, there is a direct correlation between pasteurized dairy and osteoporosis. The calcium contained in pasteurized dairy products is just not bio-available to our bodies, and may actually be linked with some degenerative diseases.

How To Use Eggshells For Calcium

The process of using eggshells for a source of calcium is simple. Simply boil organic eggshells in hot water for five to ten minutes. This is to be sure that any pathogens contained within the shell are removed. Once you have finished the boiling process, remove the shells and allow them to air dry. After drying, break the shell pieces down to small enough bits to fit into a coffee grinder, then grind into a fine powder. Store the resulting powder in a glass jar and keep away from light if possible. One medium eggshell should contain about 1 teaspoon of powder, and about 750mg to 800mg of elemental calcium. It is best to use organic eggshells since many non organic farmers feed their chickens antibiotics.

It is suggested that most people should take at least 400mg of calcium per day to supplement next to their food sources, which equates to about half a teaspoon of eggshell sourced calcium. Do not exceed more than 500mg of calcium at one time since your body is unable to process that much calcium at once. If you require more than 500mg of calcium be sure to split it up throughout the day to make sure as much as a possible is being absorbed. As stated above, it would be best to take the calcium with some other nutrients such as magnesium, zinc, vitamin D3, vitamin K1, vitamin K2, strontium, and boron. At the very least take a multivitamin along with some added magnesium and get out in the sun for at least 15 minutes a day if light skinned, or 30 minutes a day if dark skinned. This will make sure that you get adequate levels of vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin.

It should also be noted that our bones are comprised of much more than calcium. They contain many minerals and trace minerals, so it would also be a good idea to supplement with a trace mineral supplement if you are dealing with osteoporosis. A few good food sources of trace minerals are maca, spirulina, chlorella, kelp, dulse, and medicinal mushrooms.

Other Benefits Of Eggshell Calcium

Among the other benefits, supplementing with eggshell calcium is also alkalizing to our bodies. This can not be said about pasteurized dairy products, which are very acidic and mucus forming. Reduce, reuse, recycle. Put those eggshells to use. If you are still uncomfortable with the idea of supplementing your calcium source with eggshells, at least give it to your plants, they love it too!