Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: CliffordK on 07/11/2011 22:25:42
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My grandfather developed kyphosis in his old age.
So, I've started taking calcium supplements on a daily basis... hopefully to avoid that fate.
Anyway, from time to time, I like to eat eggs... So... can one also eat the egg shells? Perhaps throw them into the coffee grinder [::)]
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If you can eat glass, metal, pins, toys and other random objects then I would say egg shells in comparison are quite tame. Having a quick gander at the net shows that other people have asked the same question in other forums and from what I can gather you grind it up and make about a teaspoon of powder from an egg. It has calcium in it, that's all I have to say on that, bon appetite! [:P]
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I recall that those egg-eating snakes regurgitate the eggshells after their contents have been consumed. I suppose that means that either they cannot digest it or at least would be unable to digest it without it being ground into a more diffuse form like powder. Since those snakes are specialized in egg-eating, makes me wonder what that says about a more generalist species like us?
If you were to crush it into a fine powder, I don't imagine it would be harmful if consumed. If it were indigestible, it should pass harmlessly through the gut.
As far as getting calcium from food goes, I recall that more than once I have eaten the chicken bone inside of fried chicken legs. It wasn't easy and tasted somewhat like liver. However, I didn't get sick from it although I doubt it was good for my teeth.
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Hmmm....
So, if a snake can eat a cow whole...
Does it also spit out the bones?
I might have to give it a try. I suppose the question would be whether or not it is absorbed, but if acid softens egg shells, and one grinds it to a fine powder, I'd imagine it would get absorbed fairly well.
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My grandfather used to suppliment his chicken's calcium intake by roasting the egg shells in the oven for a while then crushing them and mixing in with their feed. That's what I call recycling.
Another source of natural calcium can be found in weeds from your garden such as dandelion, stinging & dead nettle, smooth & prckly sow thistle, chickweed, chicory, clover and common mallow.
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You can consume them:
http://www.instructables.com/id/CalciumCitrate/
You should probably cook the egg shells before doing it though, eggs reach the world through a cloaca.
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Another source of natural calcium can be found in weeds from your garden such as dandelion, stinging & dead nettle, smooth & prckly sow thistle, chickweed, chicory, clover and common mallow.
I have been experimenting with making dandelion (or Catsear) coffee [;)] But, I tend to give the stinging nettle a wide birth.
I think I'll try some egg shells soon. Probably grinding them up first, then since not all of them are very fresh, probably cook them a little... I wonder if they could be added to something interesting. [;)]
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Without checking I thought chalk was a pretty good source of calcium?
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Without checking I thought chalk was a pretty good source of calcium?
Good idea...
I could probably go to the local college and clean the powder from the trays under the chalkboards. [^] Do they still use chalkboards?
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I have been using dandelion in salads on occasion, picked from the garden. Adds a nice flavour to the salad, and is good to spice meat with too.
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wow good to know that those egg shells are edible. I may try one tomorrow morning at breakfast to save money lol.