Eggshells: Super Calcium Source

September 25, 2012

Years ago I read a book about Erik Liddell, the Olympic runner who refused to run on Sundays. After competing in the Olympics he returned to China to work as a missionary. During the WWII, the missionary complex was taken over by the Japanese and turned into an internment camp. Food and medicine was scarce, so the missionaries ground up eggshells to feed the children suffering from calcium deficiency.

I remember thinking at the time, if I ever end up in a prison camp, I’ll be sure to use the eggshells as a calcium supplement. [Assuming, of course, modern war camps hand out eggshells.]

The thought of using eggshells in normal American life never occurred to me….

photo credit

Even though we eat lots of homemade yogurt, my daughter suffers from growing pains and night terrors (two signs of calcium deficiency.)

We ran out of the cheapo Walmart calcium supplements and I was determined to find something healthier.

Then I saw a recipe in Making Babies for eggshell calcium water.

How brilliant!

Eggshells are made up of mostly calcium carbonate, a form of calcium that your body can easily use. Plus, they contain trace amounts of other minerals (like strontium and fluorine, which may also help bone health.)

Eggshell water is so simple to make, very easy for the body to assimilate, and practically free.

“Recipe” : Eggshell Calcium Water

Ingredients

Eggshells (the better the egg, the better the eggshell. Free-range, organic eggshells are best.)
Water
Fresh lemon or lime (optional)

Directions

Rinse eggshells, but try not to removed the thin membrane inside, since that has good vitamins in it
Add to water and boil for a few minutes (just to make sure there’s no bacteria on the eggshell)
Cool and then strain the water into a glass jar.
Take a few sips daily.
Use within three days.

Tips and tricks:

Vitamin D is essential for good absorption of calcium, yet one study performed on 400 healthy children and infants found that 40% were Vitamin D deficient! Spend at least a few minutes outside daily.

Personally, I think plain eggshell water is rather nasty. But, if you squeeze half a lemon or lime into it, it tastes much better. Plus, the Vitamin C in the citrus helps your body absorb the calcium better.

Any type of calcium taken an empty stomach makes me feel like throwing up. Drink with/after a meal!

I’m not a doctor, nurse or scientist. The only hospital I have ever worked in is a doll hospital. There, a band-aid can fix a heart attack. Do your own research and talk to your health care professional!