dietary calcium in egg shells?

[Gardenoholic]

After 6 years on calcium tablets, which triggered acid reflux, I have stopped taking them and I am trying hard to increase my calcium intake through diet. This is difficult as I am allergic to dairy but use goat milk products instead which I tolerate better. My question is has anyone tried egg shell powder or crushed eggshells as I have read that they are a very effective source of calcium?

I understand they need boiling for at least 10 minutes then baking for a further 20 minutes before crushing but half an eggshell or one teaspoon provides enough calcium for an average adult daily requirement. Apparently studies show eggshell calcium is well absorbed and may strengthen bones in osteoporosis. Sounds marvellous doesn’t it but I would like to hear others opinions on this before trying it as I haven’t heard any mention of this before.

I am now having Evenity (romosozumab) injections every month and trying hard to help my poor bones as best I can through diet and exercise although other health issues are making this quite difficult at the moment.

[HeronNS]

Completely agree. Vitamins D3 and K2 are probably more important for many of us because there might be plenty of calcium in our diet, but those two vitamins rather hard to come by in our environment and with the modern Western diet.

[Fruitandnutcase]

Agree with the other comments about K2 and bits - I also take one capsule on seaweed based calcium which is ok for my gut. The regular calcium prescribed by my GP did not agree with me.

[Gardenoholic]

Hello, thank you for your response. Yes I already take Vit D but not K2, I will look into that, magnesium upset my stomach quite quickly which was a shame as I had bought two tubs on a special offer!

I have not had any flu like symptoms from my Evenity injections, just long lasting bruising when I inject in my thighs but I do have qualms about the risks of heart attacks and strokes as I am having “palpitations” now. I do hope you get on well with yr annual Alendronic injection, I don’t think the risks are as bad with that.

[JCB56 in reply to Gardenoholic]

Have you tried Magnesium Glycinate, sometimes called Bisglycinate? It is generally better tolerated but maybe more expensive. I think Magnesium Citrate is sometimes used as a laxative.

[Sheilamac]

I was laughed at or looked with sceptical raised eyebrows by medical professionals when I told them some years ago that I was taking K2 supplements to make sure the calcium went to the right place and didn’t clog up my arteries so I am delighted to hear that this valuable vitamin is getting recognised at last! I didn’t know that because I’ve never mentioned it again! 😄

[Rooruby in reply to Sheilamac]

My consultant looked at my like I was stupid when I asked about k2 and magnesium. He explained not to take supplements unless prescribed as can cause other side effects . It's a minefield

[Graceissufficient in reply to Rooruby]

They're not gods.

[Graceissufficient in reply to Rooruby]

I once asked a gp to order a blood test for serum ferritin pn my autistic son. He refused: "There's a lot of iron in different foods".

Did one privately and indeed his serum ferritin was low and he needed supplements to ensure his healthy development.

Some drs are good, some are arrogant fools.

[MacrobioticFollower]

Hi - I use organic Plant calcium tablets, with calcium from organic algae. Quite expensive, but I get no symptoms.

[WillowsMother in reply to MacrobioticFollower]

Me too! I've got 18 months to go before I get my next nhs dexa scan to see how well it's working (with the added vit d, k2, and magnesium and annual zolendronic acid infusions.)

[TeddyandCocoa in reply to MacrobioticFollower]

May I ask which brand? I'm considering calcium from algae as well.

[MacrobioticFollower in reply to TeddyandCocoa]

I use Garden of Life brand of Organic Plant Calcium

[Sheilamac]

Certainly, very little since!

[dcdream]

I actually did the eggshells and followed the protocol to bake them etc. So for one month, I tried drinking them with juice, (terrible tasting) and then finally added them to a tablespoon of yogurt (I don't manage calcium well so even this daily TB of calcium was a bit much for me). The egg shells were slightly tolerable with the yogurt. That said, I am too lazy to do all this stuff, like save the shells, bake them, etc. So after one month, I gave up. Like you, I read it is helpful for bones and my son in law puts them in his smoothies. He swears it helps his bones.

[Graceissufficient in reply to dcdream]

I give them to the hen...

[Gardenoholic in reply to dcdream]

Thank you for your info about the eggshells. I was collecting egg shells in the fridge to cook altogether but my daughter, not realising, (she probably thought I was losing it!) threw them out whilst I was away so I’m starting again. I will give them a try at least, especially in smoothies, along with vit K2.

[Olliemaya]

Hi I am interested to find out how you are on the eventy injection. I was also advised to start it but declined for now. How long have you been taking it and are there any side effects. Thanks

[Gardenoholic in reply to Olliemaya]

Hello, I am due my fourth lot of injections on Sunday. I don’t have any problems doing the injections themselves, I’m just anxious about the risks from them. However having spent many years avoiding medications (even paracetamol) I am now forced to face the fact that in order to have as much quality of life as possible going forward then I have to just get on with it. My decision whether to go on Evenity or not was a very difficult one.

So in answer to your question Olliemaya, apart from bruising and palpitations (recent) I have not had any other side effects so far. Good luck with your decision making, it is not an easy one.

[DeannaAlphi]

Hi. I tried egg shells and gave up. Instead I made a list of high calcium foods which I like. Those I don't like I disguise somehow. Calcium needs to be balanced with other minerals. It's not a good idea to supplement calcium alone.

[Gardenoholic in reply to DeannaAlphi]

Thank you for your advice. I have researched calcium rich foods to increase in my diet but I am also going to visit our local health food store for vitamin K plus any other relevant advice they can give me.

[JCB56]

We have been cooking food for our dog for a long time and it has to be supplemented with calcium. Dogs need a lot of calcium and many people used crushed egg shell for this purpose but I hadn't read about it for human use. If it can keep a dog healthy, I don't see any reason why it shouldn't be good for humans, although a dog's digestive system is usually more robust than a human's! I am now using calcium citrate powder, which I share with our dog. I also struggle to consume too much in the way of dairy products. I have IBS and a lot of foods disagree with me. I've recently started using lactose-free skimmed milk, which doesn't seem to be causing any issues. I've also got some lactose-free Greek yoghurt 0% fat, which sounds awful but it's really quite good with some fruit. I know lactose-free isn't suitable for everyone, as it depends which part of the milk you're intolerant to. I'm spending far too much time calculating my calcium intake each day but I think I'm getting to grips with it. I think I may be taking too much supplement now, so I must re-calculate. All the best.

[Gardenoholic]

Thankyou JCB56 for your reply. My system also struggles with dairy products so for many years now I have stuck to goats milk and goats milk yogurt which I am ok with. I think I am going to forget about the egg shells for now but am supplementing my diet with just one adcal tablet instead of the usual four.

It is quite a minefield isn’t it trying to achieve a balanced calcium intake. 🙂