An interventional study of NEM® brand eggshell membrane powder and curQ+® brand highly absorbable curcumin in Exercise-induced Muscle Soreness, Exercise-induced Joint Pain and Exercise-induced Joint Stiffness, sponsored by ESM Technologies, LLC. Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to male participants aged 18 Years to 40 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-14.
Sponsored by ESM Technologies, LLC · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention
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.
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.
277 studies on the registry are indexed under Arthralgia; 54 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 60 is below the median of 73 across 218 interventional studies indexed under Arthralgia.
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Exclusion Criteria:
500 mg/day of NEM® brand eggshell membrane powder in a single #0 capsule.
Dietary Supplement: NEM® brand eggshell membrane powder · Dietary Supplement: Curc Placebo
2,860 mg/day of curQ+® brand highly absorbable curcumin in a single 10 Oval softgel.
Dietary Supplement: curQ+® brand highly absorbable curcumin · Dietary Supplement: EM 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: EM Placebo · Dietary Supplement: Curc Placebo
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.
2,860 mg/day of curQ+® brand highly absorbable curcumin in a single 10 Oval softgel.
500 mg/day of psyllium husk fiber powder in a single #0 capsule.
2,860 mg/day of coconut oil/polysorbate blend in a single 10 Oval softgel.
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.
VAS Muscle Soreness Rating
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.
Time frame: 2 weeks
Urinary CTX-II
Changes in urinary CTX-II biomarker from baseline following intense exercise.
Time frame: 2 weeks
Muscle Damage
Changes in markers of muscle enzyme efflux/damage (CK, LDH) from baseline following intense exercise.
Time frame: 2 weeks
Exercise Performance
Changes in exercise performance (strength, muscular endurance, peak aerobic capacity) from baseline following intense exercise.
Time frame: 2 weeks
Inflammation Biomarkers
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.
Time frame: 2 weeks
Plan to share: No
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ESM Technologies, LLC