Natural Eggshell Membrane (N.E.M.) Uses & Benefits
Updated May. 06th, 2026 | Read Time: 2 Minutes | What You Will Learn:
- Key Health Benefits of Natural Eggshell Membrane Supplements
- Understanding How NEM Works to Relieve Joint Pain
- How Natural Eggshell Membrane Soothes Osteoarthritis
- Safety Information & Potential Side Effects
- Nutritional Information
- Reader Comments (13)
Natural Eggshell Membrane (or NEM) is fairly new to the supplement market, but already attracting some loyal fans.
Natural Eggshell Membrane (NEM) is a dietary supplement derived from the membrane of eggshells. It contains glycosaminoglycans and proteins that are important for keeping the cartilage and synovium of the joints healthy. It is processed to remove any potential egg allergens, but those with allergies should still use caution.
In recent studies, NEM has been shown to both reduce pain and stiffness and increase the range of motion in those individuals suffering from arthritis.
Key Health Benefits of Natural Eggshell Membrane Supplements
Understanding How NEM Works to Relieve Joint Pain
Natural eggshell membrane naturally contains glucosamine, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid and Type 1 collagen, all of which have been studied and used individually and in some combinations for some time, as a means of supporting joint health. Because NEM is naturally occurring, it is said to contain the necessary ratios of these substances in combination. It is believed that the combination of these substances in this form can serve to both treat the pain symptoms with its anti-inflammatory properties, as well as serve to rebuild and repair connective tissue in the joint.
Studies have shown NEM to reduce pain and stiffness by 50% in most study participants. These improvements were seen at all time intervals, including just 10 days following NEM supplementation, although longer periods of use, 30 – 60 days, showed a more significant improvement. These quick and effective results are rarely seen with glucosamine alone.
How Natural Eggshell Membrane Soothes Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body, although it most commonly affects hands, knees, spine and hips. As we age, generally occurring after the age of 40, the body is no longer able to efficiently repair bone and cartilage in the joint.It is usually a slow process, resulting in deterioration and inflammation of the joint, leading to pain.
Safety Information & Potential Side Effects
There have been no adverse side effects reported with the use of NEM. In studies side effects did not differ significantly from those individuals taking placebo. This is a bonus for arthritis sufferers who have been taking prescription and over-the-counter medications that can cause severe gastric irritation over time, like NSAIDs. Unlike some other commonly used joint supplements aimed at decreasing arthritis symptoms, NEM is recommended at a dosage of only 500 mg/day – equivalent to only one capsule a day in most cases.
Article References:
Natural eggshell membrane is actually what I found to be the number-one most helpful supplement for joint health. For me, it is my left knee that I am talking about. I started taking natural eggshell membrane recently, along with chondroitin. The natural eggshell membrane is a little expensive, but National Nutrition has the best price anywhere and it is totally worth it. Natural eggshell membrane works and is worth any price. Each pill contains the same amount of eggshell membrane as dozens-and-dozens of eggs!
I'm glad that I saw this article, because it has reminded me about the existence of NEM.
I used NEM years ago to help with an issue I was having with my knee.
I was amazed at how helpful it was!
I was eventually able to stop taking it and my knee was better. However, it's acting up again, so I'll give NEM another try! I didn't expect the benefits to be so huge. It was worth the cost.
Hello Lily,
We're glad you found our article too! It's always nice to reconnect with an old friend, glad NEM helped you, it's great for inflammation. We have more articles on joint health if you'd like to learn more:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/health-concerns/joint-health/
Stay healthy & well.
NEM is getting more popular, I find it works very well for my joint health and I like how this article gives me further insight into its benefits as well as other supplements I can pair it with. Thank you!
Hello Vivian,
Thank you for sharing. We're glad NEM has helped you and our article could provide further information. Since you've enjoyed our supplement and natural health articles, don't forget to check out our recipes too.
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/healthy-recipes/
Stay healthy & well!
Can NEM cause insomnia in some people? I took it and noticed I wasn't able to fall asleep.
Hello Paula,
Thank you for your question. As far as we know there is no link that has been suggested between NEM and sleep disturbances unless perhaps these were caused by difficulty digesting the NEM? Perhaps try to take your supplement at a different time of day to see if it makes any difference. We hope this suggestion helps!
Have a healthy day.
Can you take nem for extended periods, I have been taking for over a year, its is suggested notto take over 8 weeks! Why?
Hello Deb,
Thank you for your question, we're glad you enjoyed our article. According to multiple research papers published on PubMed, Natural Eggshell Membrane (NEM) is an effective and safe option for the treatment of pain and stiffness associated with knee osteoarthritis. Supplementation with 500 mg of NEM daily, significantly reduced both joint pain and stiffness compared to placebo at 10, 30, and 60 days, and results improved with longer term use. Some joint health supplements contain added ingredients alongside NEM, which may not be appropriate for use long term, which may account for the 8 week caution. On the other hand, joint health supplements containing only NEM are indeed appropriate for long term use. If you'd like to find more natural ways to support joint health, have a read through this article too, https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/health-concerns/joint-health/
NEM is amazing!: naturally containing glucosamine, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid and Type 1 collagen is excellent for supporting joint health. I wonder if there would be a way to generate organoid-like N.E.M. generators or have bacteria produce it? (as it requires a significant amount of chicken egg shells to produce N.E.M.) Also, I am curious: what percentage of chicken/duck eggs sold for commercial use are used in order to generate N.E.M. supplements? Harvesting a greater percentage would be awesome for sustainability reasons!
Hello Rachel,
It is amazing. Thank you for your comment, we are happy you enjoyed our article on NEM. You can further explore type 1 collagen and all its benefits in this article too: https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/collagen-1-and-3/
You don’t cite the research sources or provide a link to the studies. From what I can tell the research is thin. Pls provide journal links.
Hello,
Thank you for enjoying our articles and taking the time to comment. For this article, our reference is listed at the end of the article and is now hyperlinked for you to access.
Have a healthy day!