Effect of Egg-Shell Ca on Preventing of Bone Loss after Ovariectomy

Abstract

Egg-shell calcium (Ca) is now being commonly used as a Ca supplement in many health foods and Ca tablets. However, there is not enough data for evaluating the effect of egg-shell Ca on bones. We have already reported that some Ca sources were effective for increasing the bone mineral density (BMD) and mechanical bone strength, or for delaying bone loss when testing on rats. Therefore, in this study, the effect of the egg-shell Ca on bone metabolism was determined in ovariectomized rats by using the same technique to evaluate the effect of several other Ca sources.
The BMD values for the extracted lumbar spine and the tibial proximal metaphysis in the egg-shell Ca group were found to be significantly higher than those of the control group. The content of each nutrient between the two groups was identical, but the source of Ca was different. The other indices for evaluating bone in the egg-shell Ca group were higher than those of the control group. These data suggest that egg-shell Ca could be effective for preventing bone loss after ovariectomy.