Effects of Eggshell Membrane and Curcumin Extract Supplementation, Separately or Combined, on Recovery From Intense Exercise

August 10, 2026 updated by: ESM Technologies, LLC

Effects of NEM® Brand Eggshell Membrane and curQ+® Brand Highly Absorbable Curcumin Supplementation, Alone or in Combination, on Recovery From Intense Exercise in Recreationally Active Men.

Eggshell membrane and Curcumin supplementation prior to intense exercise may reduce inflammation, muscle and joint pain, and promote recovery. This proof-of-concept study will examine how ingestion of specially formulated versions of these nutrients affects recovery from intense exercise.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Eggshell membrane (EM) is derived from the inner fibrous layer of eggs that contain a number of proteins and Types I, V, and X collagen and sulfur containing amino acids (i.e., e.g., methionine, cysteine), glycosaminoglycans (e.g., hyaluronic acid, dermatan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate) that are found in synovium, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons of human joint tissue. Initial studies have shown that EM supplementation reduces inflammation and perception of pain while improving markers of joint health in individuals with osteoarthritis. Curcumin (Curcuma longa) is a member of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) that contains polyphenols that have anti-inflammatory properties. Studies show that curcumin (Curc) can reduce inflammation related to osteoarthritis, exercise, concussion and traumatic brain injury. Theoretically, EM and Curc supplementation prior to intense exercise may reduce inflammation, perceptions of muscle and joint pain, and promote recovery. This proof-of-concept study will examine how ingestion of specially formulated versions of these nutrients (NEM® brand eggshell membrane and curQ+® brand highly absorbable curcumin) separately and in combination affects recovery from intense exercise in recreationally active men.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
60

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Texas
      • College Station, Texas, United States, 77843
        • Recruiting
        • Exercise & Sport Nutrition Lab - Texas A&M University
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Richard B. Kreider, Ph.D.

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age 18 to 40 at the time of consent.
  • Healthy and recreationally active.
  • Ability to comply with study procedures.
  • Agree to refrain from alcohol intake and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDS), aspirin, and other over-the-counter pain medications for 48 hours prior to and after completion of each testing session.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • No recent history of exercise training
  • An orthopedic limitation that would prevent the ability to perform the exercise intervention.
  • Participants who currently smoke cigarettes.
  • Known allergies to eggs, sulfur, or curcumin.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Prevention
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Quadruple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Active, EM
500 mg/day of NEM® brand eggshell membrane powder in a single #0 capsule.
Dietary supplement: NEM® brand eggshell membrane powder
500 mg/day of NEM® brand eggshell membrane powder in a single #0 capsule.
Dietary supplement: Curc Placebo
2,860 mg/day of coconut oil/polysorbate blend in a single 10 Oval softgel.
Experimental: Active, curc
2,860 mg/day of curQ+® brand highly absorbable curcumin in a single 10 Oval softgel.
Dietary supplement: curQ+® brand highly absorbable curcumin
2,860 mg/day of curQ+® brand highly absorbable curcumin in a single 10 Oval softgel.
Dietary supplement: EM Placebo
500 mg/day of psyllium husk fiber powder in a single #0 capsule.
Placebo Comparator: Placebo
500 mg/day of psyllium husk fiber powder in a single #0 capsule PLUS 2,860 mg/day of coconut oil/polysorbate blend in a single 10 Oval softgel.
Dietary supplement: Curc Placebo
2,860 mg/day of coconut oil/polysorbate blend in a single 10 Oval softgel.
Dietary supplement: EM Placebo
500 mg/day of psyllium husk fiber powder in a single #0 capsule.
Experimental: Active, EM+Curc
500 mg/day of NEM® brand eggshell membrane powder in a single #0 capsule PLUS 2,860 mg/day of curQ+® brand highly absorbable curcumin in a single 10 Oval softgel.
Dietary supplement: NEM® plus curQ+® combination
500 mg/day of NEM® brand eggshell membrane powder in a single #0 capsule PLUS 2,860 mg/day of curQ+® brand highly absorbable curcumin in a single 10 Oval softgel.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
VAS Muscle Soreness Rating
Time Frame: 2 weeks
Changes in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ratings of muscle soreness (rated from zero to 100 mm) from baseline following intense exercise. The higher the rating, the more muscle soreness so negative changes in VAS would equate to improvement.
2 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Urinary CTX-II
Time Frame: 2 weeks
Changes in urinary CTX-II biomarker from baseline following intense exercise.
2 weeks
Muscle Damage
Time Frame: 2 weeks
Changes in markers of muscle enzyme efflux/damage (CK, LDH) from baseline following intense exercise.
2 weeks
Exercise Performance
Time Frame: 2 weeks
Changes in exercise performance (strength, muscular endurance, peak aerobic capacity) from baseline following intense exercise.
2 weeks
Inflammation Biomarkers
Time Frame: 2 weeks
Changes in markers of inflammation (TNFα, interleukin (IL) cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10) from baseline following intense exercise.
2 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
ESM Technologies, LLC

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Exercise & Sport Nutrition Lab, Texas A&M University

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Study Director: Kevin J. Ruff, Ph.D., ESM Technologies, LLC
  • Principal Investigator: Richard B. Kreider, Ph.D., Exercise & Sport Nutrition Lab, Texas A&M University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
February 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
October 15, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 31, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
July 30, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 10, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
August 14, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
August 14, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 10, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • STUDY2025-0899

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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