If you’ve ever tossed eggshells in the compost or trash, you might be throwing away one of the most bioavailable and sustainable sources of calcium available today. Yes — powdered eggshells can be turned into an effective, natural calcium supplement that your body can actually use.
When my husband and I moved to Florida’s Emerald Coast, I knew the humidity, the salty air and the sun was what my body (and his) needed for healing from the harsh, toxic, dry Colorado air. But what we didn’t realize is the change in climate also came with caviats. Spring bring showers, but it also brings high humidity in Northwest Florida. It’s pleasant, but with the heat comes mold season.
I had no idea that the cold sore I had fought since last summer was a sign that my immune system was so low, it couldn’t even fight off the herpes B virus, what makes a fever blister on your lip during times of stress. Once we got to Florida, and the stress settled down, but the fever blister breakout would not go away. It began to spread into what I thought was acne around my mouth and nose.
During a bought with the flu that lasted almost 3 weeks, I broke out into not one, not two, but almost 4 cold sores and even more seeds along the mid lip. I have never in my life fought a cold sore breakout that long or hard. Not only was my body fighting several viruses, but also had major leg cramps despite the fact I was taking Magnesium glycinate. Why was my magnesium so low? Why wasn’t the quercetin not working? Why were the viruses not receding?
Mineral Partners
Did you know that you need calcium for magnesium absorption. More than that, you need it for zinc, D3 and other nutrient absorption. In addition, you also need calcium for nerve signaling and cell membrane permeability. Nutrients can’t get into the cell without calcium. But here is the crazy thing: your body can’t create T-helper cells and stem cells without calcium.
So if you are taking all those other minerals, and still can’t see improvement, it may be a partner mineral that is missing.
This is why it’s so important to take living vitamins. What are living vitamins? They are real or whole food nutrients directly made from real live food. Every nutrient needs other nutrients to be absorbed. This is why buying and taking vitamins in single forms are often not absorbable.
Can I make my own supplements?
The short answer is YES!
Let’s dig into science, safety, and how to make your own.
What Makes Eggshell Calcium So Special?
Eggshells are composed of roughly 95% calcium carbonate, the very same form of calcium found in many store-bought supplements. But here’s the kicker: natural sources like eggshells often contain trace minerals (like strontium, magnesium, and selenium) that work synergistically to support bone and cellular health. Without their partner nutrients, they can’t be properly used by the body. This is why lab created petroleum based supplements are not only toxic but can be downright harmful!
If you consume non-bioavailable calcium, and you’re missing the building block nutrients, you could end up with it building up in your tissues creating lumps or in your arteries.
In fact, a study published in the International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Research found that eggshell calcium was more bioavailable than purified calcium carbonate — especially when consumed with food.
How to Prepare Eggshell Calcium Safely
The key to making this an effective and safe supplement is proper preparation. Here’s a simple method:
Step-by-Step:
- Collect and rinse eggshells thoroughly to remove egg whites or yolk residue.
- Boil the shells for 5–10 minutes to kill bacteria like Salmonella.
- Dry the shells completely. You can air dry, or…
- Roast them in the oven at 200–250°F (93–120°C) for 10–15 minutes. This step adds extra sterilization and brittleness for easier grinding.
- Grind into a fine powder using a coffee grinder, blender, or mortar and pestle.
- Store in a dry, airtight glass container.
How Much to Take
Just 1/2 teaspoon of finely powdered eggshell provides about 400–500 mg of elemental calcium.
Adult calcium needs:
- Women 19–50: ~1,000 mg/day
- Women 51+: ~1,200 mg/day
- Men over 70: ~1,200 mg/day
So use mindfully — and never exceed 1 tsp/day unless advised by a health professional.
Support Nutrient Absorption
Calcium works best when paired with its key cofactors:
- Magnesium: Helps calcium absorb properly and prevents calcification
- Vitamin D3: Transports calcium into the bloodstream
- Vitamin K2: Directs calcium into bones and teeth, away from arteries
Pro Tip: Avoid combining calcium with iron supplements or high-oxalate foods (like spinach) in the same meal — they compete for absorption.
Final Thoughts
Eggshell calcium is nature’s free supplement — sustainable, budget-friendly, and incredibly effective when prepared correctly. It’s a powerful way to support bone health, nervous system balance, and electrolyte function — without reaching for synthetic pills.
If God created the body with wisdom, it makes sense He provided natural tools to sustain it. Sometimes, those tools are already in your kitchen.
