What is Eggshell Calcium Powder?

Ever wondered what to do with those leftover eggshells from your brekkie? Well, here's a bit of a surprise – those eggshells can be turned into something quite beneficial. Say hello to eggshell calcium powder, a nifty way to up your calcium intake naturally.

So, what's in this powder? It's mostly made up of calcium carbonate, the same stuff you find in limestone and chalk. Here's the interesting bit: to make this powder, eggshells are first boiled to get rid of any nasties, then baked to dry out, and finally ground into a fine powder. Simple, yet brilliant!

Now, let's have a chinwag about how it stacks up against other calcium sources. Compared to over-the-counter supplements, eggshell calcium is more natural and just as effective. Plus, it's a win for the environment, turning waste into something wonderful!

HOW TO MAKE EGGSHELL CALCIUM POWDER

You may remember a time when eggs were deemed unhealthy due to their cholesterol content.

Nowadays, and many years of research later, this criticism has now been proven wrong! Eggs have since been shown to have almost NO effect on blood cholesterol levels.

The Heart Foundation agrees that eggs are healthy and DO NOT increase the risk of heart disease.

In fact, eggs are known now as nature’s multivitamin and for good reason.

Eggs are abundant in vitamins, minerals and other healthy nutrients. Including, quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, D, E and B12, antioxidants and choline. All essential for health.

But the health benefits of eggs don’t stop with the whites and yolks. You’d be surprised to learn how nutritious and beneficial the shell can be.

Now, the thought of consuming eggshells probably doesn’t appeal to you. However, they are an effective (and inexpensive) source of calcium to make your bones stronger and further improve health. And, when made into a powder, it is very easy to consume, and flavourless!

In this article, I’ll explain how consuming eggshell powder can benefit you and show how you can make eggshell calcium powder in a few simple steps.

So the next time you decide to crack a few eggs to make a delicious omelette or bake a cake, make sure you don’t scrap those eggshells! Save them for later use!

The Benefits Of Consuming Eggshells!

Eggshells are comprised of calcium carbonate, which is the most common type of calcium found in nature.

The abundance of calcium makes eggshells an excellent, although fairly under-appreciated, source of this essential mineral.

Calcium plays a significant role in preventing conditions commonly seen in older adults, particularly osteoporosis and osteopenia. 

A study conducted at The National Institute of Rheumatic Diseases shows the benefits of eggshells on improving bone metabolism. The research suggests that eggshell powder, being rich in calcium and other organic compounds such as strontium and fluorine, can have a positive effect on improving bone density.

This study further notes that eggshell powder can stimulate cartilage growth and in postmenopausal women and women with senile osteoporosis, eggshell powder increases bone density and mobility and reduces pain and bone resorption.

This study concluded that eggshell powder is suitable in preventing and treating osteoporosis.

Another study notes that eggshell powder is a great source of bioavailable calcium, increases bone mineral density and can delay bone demineralisation when consumed regularly. The participants in the study also reported experiencing less pain when consuming eggshell powder for longer periods.

Moreover, eggshell membrane, the substance found between the eggshells and egg whites, is mostly comprised of collagen, which is known to promote joint health among other benefits (to find out more about the benefits of collagen - click here).

Eggshell membrane supplements are used to treat pain and discomfort in joints, something that often affects older adults. 

How Much Calcium Do I Need

According to Osteoporosis Australia, the recommended daily intake of calcium, through diet, should be around 1,300 mg per day. (To find out more about calcium click here).

However, plenty of people, especially seniors suffering from calcium deficiency, resort to calcium supplements enriched with vitamin D3. Vitamin D is often used alongside calcium supplements, as it helps the body absorb the mineral.

Research suggests a daily supplement dose of 1,000 mg of calcium and 600 mg of vitamin D can counteract the effects of osteoporosis. However, it is said that older adults might benefit from a slightly higher dose to reduce the risks of fractures and falls.

Of course, supplements are only advised to those who aren’t able to get sufficient amounts of calcium and vitamins from natural food sources.

Before resorting to supplementation of any kind, try to bump up your calcium intake by consuming calcium-rich foods such as dairy and eggs (or try this bone broth recipe).

A single teaspoon of the eggshell calcium powder contains roughly 800 - 1,000 mg of calcium. It’s best to divide this dose up into smaller doses throughout the day

There are many ways to consume the eggshell powder. You can mix it up with a small amount of water, or juice. Sprinkle it on your cereal on in spaghetti bolognese. Whatever works best for you

The process of making your calcium powder is pretty straightforward and simple; let's begin.

Different Uses of Eggshell Calcium Powder

This little gem has a few tricks up its sleeve. As a dietary supplement, it's a cracker. Just a pinch of this powder in your smoothie or sprinkled over your morning cereal, and you're sorted for your daily calcium needs.

But wait, there's more! Eggshell calcium isn't just for people; your plants love it too. Sprinkle it in your garden, and watch your greens grow with gusto. It's a top-notch natural fertiliser.

Precautions and Side Effects

Now, it's not all beer and Skittles. There are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, moderation is key. Too much of this, and you might end up with more calcium than you bargained for. Also, if you're already on calcium supplements or other medications, have a yarn with your doctor first. It's essential to make sure everything works together harmoniously.

So, there you have it – eggshell calcium powder in a nutshell. Whether it's in your breakfast bowl or helping your petunias perk up, it's a versatile little number. Just remember, like with anything, to use it wisely.

HOW TO MAKE EGGSHELL CALCIUM

INGREDIENTS AND EQUIPMENT

To make your powder you will need a few easy to source things that you probably already have lying around the house.

You will need:

• A carton of eggs (stick to organic, pasture raised eggs if you can)

• A medium to large sized pot

• An electric coffee grinder - One can be purchased for $20-30 online. (I bought mine from K-Mart for $30 AUD).

• A fine strainer

• An airtight container to store your eggshell powder

DIRECTIONS

The entire procedure of making eggshell powder is relatively quick and painless, so it shouldn’t take much of your time.

The best part is that once you’re done, you can easily store the powder for future use and you now have an inexpensive, effective source of calcium to help get your daily calcium requirements and keep your bones strong.

Step 1

Next time you are eating your eggs, preparing a meal or baking a cake, rinse your eggs in water to remove any excess and save your eggshells. I kept mine in the carton. Make sure not to dispose of the egg membranes as they are also healthy.

Step 2

Repeat step 1 until you have a carton full of eggshells!

Step 3

Fill a pot with water, bring to the boil and carefully place the eggshells inside.

Step 4

Boil the eggshells for about 5-10 minutes to help kill off any nasties.

Step 5

Drain the eggshells and place them on a baking tray and allow to dry all day or overnight.

Step 6

Preheat an oven to 90 degrees Celcius (195 Fahrenheit) and place the eggshells in the oven for 12 minutes to allow them to dry out entirely

Step 7

Remove the tray from the oven and place the shells in your coffee grinder. Grind until the eggshells become a finely ground powder. Continue until you’ve used up all the eggshells.

Step 8

Sift the powder through a strainer to ensure any larger shells are removed.

Step 9

Pour the eggshell powder into an airtight container and seal tightly. Store the jar in a cold and dry place for up to 2 months.

Step 10

Enjoy your homemade eggshell calcium powder! 

And that’s all it takes to get an effective, inexpensive calcium supplement which will help you get stronger bones!

Enjoy! and Keep Moving

• Mike

Do you need more calcium in your diet? Are you currently supplementing? How do you get more calcium?