Make your own free calcium supplements

By Sari Huhtala

Crushed empty eggshells are great calcium boosters for garden health, and for chicken and duck health too, but did you know they make excellent, highly absorbable calcium supplements for people?

Eggshells are about 95 per cent calcium carbonate, the most commonly used calcium source in manufactured supplements. Some studies suggest the human body can more readily absorb the calcium carbonate in the eggshells due to specific proteins found in the shells.

Half an eggshell, the equivalent of about ½ to ¾ tsp of crushed, powdered eggshells, provides the recommended daily amount of calcium needed for adults, according to a 2013 study, Chicken eggshell as suitable calcium source at home, which appeared in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition.

Because the ground eggshells have a gritty texture, they can be added to cookies, bread, pizza, spaghetti and other foods so there are no noticeable changes in texture or flavour. Adding it to smoothies is an option, but there’s usually leftover eggshell powder in the bottom of the glass. Always take with food to increase absorption.

How to make your own supplements

1. Store and save empty, rinsed eggshells until you collect about a dozen to two dozen full shells.
2. Boil the eggshells for 15 minutes to remove any potential bacteria, like salmonella
3. Preheat an oven to 200 degrees F and bake the shells for about 20-25 minutes until completely dry.
4. Crunch the shells up by hand into a blender, then grind into a powder. Store in a glass jar with a lid, out of direct sunlight, for up to a month.
5. Take about ½ to ¾ tsp daily for supplementation.
6. Take with food for best absorption.
7. As with all calcium supplements, excessive amounts can lead to kidney issues, and other health problems, so follow the recommended daily guidelines.

(This information is not intended to replace medical advice and treatment from a health care practitioner).

Sari Huhtala is the creator, publisher and editor of Alive and Fit Magazine, which was created in 2007.  She has over 25 years of experience in journalism and over 15 years of experience as a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor, and is a holistic chef, offering holistic cooking and edible wilds workshop, and My Farmacy workshops. She is an organic farmer, wild-crafter and grandmother, who has spent over 20 plus years navigating a holistic, healthy path for her family. Reach her at friends@thelaughingforest.ca