Study supports efficacy of eggshell membrane plus fish oil for joint health benefits
Two weeks of supplementation with MOVE3 formulated with 500 mg eggshell membrane (Stratum's NEM brand eggshell membrane) with 1,500 mg fish oil concentrate (KD Pharma’s KD-Pür brand concentrated omega-3 EPA/DHA from fish oil) led to significantly less pain immediately after exercise and still 12 hours later, compared to placebo.
In addition, participants receiving MOVE3 also had improved levels of stiffness and significantly reduced levels of a marker of cartilage degradation called C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type-II collagen (uCTX-II), report scientists from ESM Technologies, QPS Bio-Kinetic, KD Pharma, and Clinical Research Consulting in the International Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
The study was funded by KD Pharma Group and conducted under license from ESM Technologies, LLC.
Commenting on the study, Adam Ismail, chief strategy officer of the KD Pharma Group and co-author on the new paper, said: “The body of science supporting exercise and recovery benefits for both Omega-3 and NEM continues to grow, but this study is unique because it demonstrates benefits in healthy people consuming the MOVE3 formulation after they have exercised.
“For sports nutrition products, it is important that consumers be able to feel the benefit, and the fact that we saw a significant improvement compared to placebo means the subjects not only felt the impact of MOVE3 but observed the effects in a rapid timeframe.”
Study details
The researchers 85 healthy men & women aged between 40 and 75 to participate in their randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The participants performed a step exercise regimen (40 to 100 steps per leg) on alternating days for two consecutive weeks, and were randomly assigned to receive either the MOVE3 supplement or placebo for the two weeks.
Results showed that participants in the MOVE3 group experienced statistically significant reductions in levels of CTX-II of 12.9% and 17.7% after 1 and 2 weeks, respectively.
“uCTX-II level in the ES-OM3 group was reduced by 12.4% but increased by 5.5% in the placebo group after 2 weeks of treatment and exercise,” wrote the researchers. “Like eggshell membrane, omega-3 fatty acid PUFAs mediate the expression of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids and cytokines, increase cartilage GAG content, and modify cartilage turnover.
“The present study clearly demonstrates that ES-OM3 has the potential to reduce the level of CTX-II and prevent or delay cartilage degradation processes after exercise.”
In addition, compared with placebo, the MOVE3 group had significantly less joint pain immediately after exercise (28.6% lower) at 1 week, and 12 hours after exercise at 1 week (46.7% lower).
Stiffness 12 hours after exercise at 1 week was also significantly lower in the MOVE3 group, said the researchers.
Kevin Ruff, PhD, senior director of scientific & regulatory affairs for Stratum Nutrition and lead researcher for the study, commented: “Conducting this clinical trial in exercising healthy adults will allow brands to make label claims relating to joint pain and stiffness and even cartilage protection. This is an additional benefit that MOVE3 provides beyond any other combination product on the market.”
Source: International Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
(2020) Volume 8, Issue 3, doi:10.35248/2329-9096.20.08.551
“Eggshell Membrane+Fish Oil Combination (Move3) Reduces Exercise-Induced Joint Pain, Stiffness and Cartilage Turnover in Healthy Adults: Results from a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study”
Authors: K.J. Ruff, et al.
