Exercise-induced Muscle SorenessNCT07766720
Effects of Eggshell Membrane and Curcumin Extract Supplementation, Separately or Combined, on Recovery From Intense Exercise
A study testing NEM® brand eggshell membrane powder, curQ+® brand highly absorbable curcumin and NEM® plus curQ+® combination in people with Exercise-induced Muscle Soreness and Exercise-induced Joint Pain, run by ESM Technologies, LLC at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Exercise-induced Muscle Soreness, Exercise-induced Joint Pain, Exercise-induced Joint Stiffness
- What is being tested?
- NEM® brand eggshell membrane powder, curQ+® brand highly absorbable curcumin and NEM® plus curQ+® combination
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 1 Feb 2026to 31 Dec 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 40 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- 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.
Who cannot join
- 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.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Exercise & Sport Nutrition Lab - Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas, 77843
Richard B. Kreider, Ph.D., (979) 458-1498, rbkreider@tamu.edu
Christopher Rasmussen, M.S., (979) 458-1498, crasmussen@tamu.edu
About this study
Official title: 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.
Read the 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.
- Conditions
- Exercise-induced Muscle Soreness, Exercise-induced Joint Pain, Exercise-induced Joint Stiffness, Exercise-induced Cartilage Turnover
- Being tested
- NEM® brand eggshell membrane powder, curQ+® brand highly absorbable curcumin, EM Placebo, Curc Placebo, NEM® plus curQ+® combination
- Keywords
- intense exercise, NEM, curQ+, eggshell membrane, curcumin
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
NEM® brand eggshell membrane powderDietary supplement
500 mg/day of NEM® brand eggshell membrane powder in a single #0 capsule.
curQ+® brand highly absorbable curcuminDietary supplement
2,860 mg/day of curQ+® brand highly absorbable curcumin in a single 10 Oval softgel.
EM PlaceboDietary supplement
500 mg/day of psyllium husk fiber powder in a single #0 capsule.
Curc PlaceboDietary supplement
2,860 mg/day of coconut oil/polysorbate blend in a single 10 Oval softgel.
NEM® plus curQ+® combinationDietary supplement
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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Active, EM | Experimental | 500 mg/day of NEM® brand eggshell membrane powder in a single #0 capsule. Receives: Dietary Supplement: NEM® brand eggshell membrane powder; Dietary Supplement: Curc Placebo |
| Active, curc | Experimental | 2,860 mg/day of curQ+® brand highly absorbable curcumin in a single 10 Oval softgel. Receives: Dietary Supplement: curQ+® brand highly absorbable curcumin; Dietary Supplement: EM Placebo |
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | 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. Receives: Dietary Supplement: EM Placebo; Dietary Supplement: Curc Placebo |
| Active, EM+Curc | Experimental | 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. Receives: Dietary Supplement: NEM® plus curQ+® combination |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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.
Measured: 2 weeks
Secondary outcomes (4)
Urinary CTX-II
Changes in urinary CTX-II biomarker from baseline following intense exercise.
Measured: 2 weeks
Muscle Damage
Changes in markers of muscle enzyme efflux/damage (CK, LDH) from baseline following intense exercise.
Measured: 2 weeks
Exercise Performance
Changes in exercise performance (strength, muscular endurance, peak aerobic capacity) from baseline following intense exercise.
Measured: 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.
Measured: 2 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted14 Aug 2026
- Study start1 Feb 2026
- Primary completion15 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Exercise-induced Muscle SorenessStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Single-Dummy, Placebo-controlled, Parallel-Group
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- ESM Technologies, LLC
- Sponsor type
- Industry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Collaborators
- Exercise & Sport Nutrition Lab, Texas A&M University
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Richard B. Kreider, Ph.D., Principal investigator, Exercise & Sport Nutrition Lab, Texas A&M UniversityKevin J. Ruff, Ph.D., Study director, ESM Technologies, LLC
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07766720
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- STUDY2025-0899
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 30 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 14 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 14 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- 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.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07766720
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- STUDY2025-0899
- Conditions
- Exercise-induced Muscle Soreness, Exercise-induced Joint Pain, Exercise-induced Joint Stiffness, Exercise-induced Cartilage Turnover
- Keywords
- intense exercise, NEM, curQ+, eggshell membrane, curcumin
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- ESM Technologies, LLCIndustry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Collaborators
- Exercise & Sport Nutrition Lab, Texas A&M University
- Study start
- 1 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 14 Aug 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
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 design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind (participant, care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 4
- Model description
- Single-Dummy, Placebo-controlled, Parallel-Group
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Active, EM | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: NEM® brand eggshell membrane powder, Dietary Supplement: Curc Placebo500 mg/day of NEM® brand eggshell membrane powder in a single #0 capsule. |
| Active, curc | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: curQ+® brand highly absorbable curcumin, Dietary Supplement: EM Placebo2,860 mg/day of curQ+® brand highly absorbable curcumin in a single 10 Oval softgel. |
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Dietary Supplement: EM Placebo, Dietary Supplement: Curc Placebo500 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. |
| Active, EM+Curc | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: NEM® plus curQ+® combination500 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. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 40 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- 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.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- 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.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| NEM® brand eggshell membrane powder500 mg/day of NEM® brand eggshell membrane powder in a single #0 capsule. | Dietary supplement | Active, EM |
| curQ+® brand highly absorbable curcumin2,860 mg/day of curQ+® brand highly absorbable curcumin in a single 10 Oval softgel. | Dietary supplement | Active, curc |
| EM Placebo500 mg/day of psyllium husk fiber powder in a single #0 capsule. | Dietary supplement | Active, curc, Placebo |
| Curc Placebo2,860 mg/day of coconut oil/polysorbate blend in a single 10 Oval softgel. | Dietary supplement | Active, EM, Placebo |
| NEM® plus curQ+® combination500 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 | Active, EM+Curc |
Primary outcome
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.
4 secondary outcomes
Urinary CTX-II
Time frame: 2 weeks
Muscle Damage
Time frame: 2 weeks
Exercise Performance
Time frame: 2 weeks
Inflammation Biomarkers
Time frame: 2 weeks
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 14 Aug 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Richard B. Kreider, Ph.D. principal investigator
Exercise & Sport Nutrition Lab, Texas A&M University
Kevin J. Ruff, Ph.D. study director
ESM Technologies, LLC
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing NEM® brand eggshell membrane powder, curQ+® brand highly absorbable curcumin and NEM® plus curQ+® combination in people with Exercise-induced Muscle Soreness and Exercise-induced Joint Pain, run by ESM Technologies, LLC at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Richard B. Kreider, Ph.D. ((979) 458-1498, rbkreider@tamu.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
VAS Muscle Soreness Rating (time frame: 2 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 14 Aug 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 31 Oct 2026.