{"id":22355,"date":"2026-06-03T21:53:54","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T19:53:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ngdcare.nl\/uncategorized\/mobility-support\/"},"modified":"2026-06-03T21:53:54","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T19:53:54","slug":"mobility-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ngdcare.nl\/en\/blog-en\/mobility-support\/","title":{"rendered":"Mobility support"},"content":{"rendered":"
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NGD Care Scientific Background Dietary Supplements<\/div>\n

Mobility Support:
\n eggshell membrane, cartilage repair and more. <\/span> <\/h1>\n

How does eggshell membrane work as a complete cartilage matrix, what does type II collagen do in osteoarthritis, and what does the most recent veterinary literature say? The scientific background of Mobility Support in dogs, cats and humans. <\/p>\n

By Stefan Veenstra DVM<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Osteoarthritis: a structural and inflammatory problem<\/h2>\n

Osteoarthritis is the most common degenerative joint disease in dogs, cats and humans. It is estimated that 20% of dogs over 1 year of age have clinically relevant osteoarthritis, and in cats over 10 years of age, the prevalence rises to more than 50%. [1]<\/a><\/sup> The pathophysiology is more complex than traditionally thought: osteoarthritis is not a purely mechanical wear and tear disease but an inflammatory synovial process in which cartilage breakdown, synoviitis, adjustment of the bone under the cartilage and pain modulation occur simultaneously. <\/p>\n

Central mediators are matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) that are activated by pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha) and break down the extracellular cartilage matrix. MMP-1, MMP-3 and MMP-13 degrade collagen type II, aggrecan and other structural glycosaminoglycans. Supplementation with the direct building blocks of the cartilage matrix therefore has two goals: structural recovery through the supply of building materials and inhibition of the degradation cycle through substrate competition. [2]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

Joint supplementation works not only by providing building blocks, but also by restoring the ratio between build-up and breakdown in the cartilage matrix. Chondroitin sulfate directly inhibits MMPs; Eggshell membrane provides growth factors that activate chondrocyte metabolism. <\/div>\n
Mobility Support in the NGD Care protocols<\/strong>
\nNGD Care Joint Protocol: Mobility Support as a structural building material component<\/a>
\nNGD Care Aging Protocol: Joint Support for Aging<\/a>
\nNGD Care Surgery Recovery Package: supplement for orthopaedic procedures<\/a><\/div>\n

Eggshell membrane: wider than just joints<\/h2>\n

Eggshell membrane is primarily a joint supplement, but its composition extends beyond that. It contains collagen type I, V and X, hyaluronic acid, glycosaminoglycans and growth factors (TGF-beta, IGF-1, FGF) in their natural interrelationship. Collagen type I is also the primary structural fiber in tendons, ligaments, and deep fascia. Hyaluronic acid plays a central role in the gliding function between fascial layers. TGF-beta and FGF activate fibroblasts for new collagen synthesis in damaged connective tissue. [1]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

This makes ESM not only relevant for osteoarthritis but also for recovery from tendon injuries, ligament damage and musculoskeletal overload. Thomas Myers (Anatomy Trains) and Rikke Schultz DVM (Equine and Canine Myofascial Kinetic Lines, Fascialines.com) describe how myofascial power transmission lines in dogs and horses function via the same ECM architecture as in humans. [3]<\/a><\/sup> A side note: fascia also contains significant collagen type III and VI that ESM does not provide. ESM is therefore a useful supporter of connective tissue regeneration, but not a complete fascial ECM replacement. As a supplement to the Joint Protocol and Surgery Recovery Package, it can be used in a wide range of applications. <\/p>\n

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Additional indications for ESM besides joints (substantiated)<\/p>\n

\n
\u2022<\/span> Tendon and ligament injuries (collagen types I and V)<\/div>\n
\u2022<\/span> Wound healing and skin regeneration (Ahmed et al. 2019)[5]<\/a><\/sup><\/div>\n
\u2022<\/span> Bone Regeneration After Fracture or Orthopedic Surgery (Fladerer 2024)[11]<\/a><\/sup><\/div>\n
\u2022<\/span> Anti-fibrotic via decorin in tissue damage (Ohto-Fujita 2024)[9]<\/a><\/sup><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Eggshell membrane: a complete cartilage matrix in one ingredient<\/h2>\n

The eggshell membrane is a thin fibrillar mesh membrane that lines the inside of the eggshell and protects the developing germ. It consists of more than 90% protein and naturally contains a remarkably wide collection of joint building blocks: collagen types I, V and X, multi-molecular weight hyaluronic acid, glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, dermatane and keratin sulfates, elastin and biologically active growth factors including IGF-1 and TGF-beta. [3]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

The distinguishing feature of eggshell membrane from individual supplements is that all these components are present in their natural interrelationship, as they also occur in the extracellular cartilage matrix. IGF-1 and TGF-beta are growth factors that directly stimulate chondrocyte proliferation and collagen synthesis, components that are lacking in isolated glucosamine or chondroitin supplements. [3]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

Most Recent Veterinary RCT: Eggshell Membrane in Dogs With Osteoarthritis (2025)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ragetly et al. published in June 2025 in Frontiers in Veterinary Science a multicenter double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial in nine specialized veterinary clinics in seven European countries in dogs with confirmed osteoarthritis. The study showed significant improvement in mobility parameters after supplementation with an eggshell membrane-containing formula compared to placebo, measured via objective force plate measurement and validated owner questionnaires. [4]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

Additionally, Vozar et al. (2025) in Frontiers in Veterinary Science showed that eggshell membrane in canine chondrocytes under oxidative stress improves cell metabolism and cell adhesion, providing direct mechanistic support for chondroprotective action in the arthritic joint.[5]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

A systematic review and meta-analysis in Nutrients (Garc\u00eda-Mu\u00f1oz et al., 2024) analyzed seven RCTs for eggshell membrane in knee osteoarthritis in humans and found significant pain reduction and function improvement (WOMAC total score effect size -0.34; p significant improvement). The translatability of this mechanism to the veterinary context is direct: the human and canine osteoarthritis mechanism proceeds via identical cellular pathways. [6]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

Why liposomal preparation is essential<\/h2>\n

This is the component that distinguishes most joint supplements on the market from Mobility Support. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are the best-researched joint supplements, but their bioavailability after oral ingestion is limited. Glucosamine has an oral availability of 26% in dogs after hydrolysis in the intestine, with significant variation. Chondroitin sulfate is a large polysaccharide molecule of 5-70 kDa that is moderately absorbed, and in which a large part is broken down in the gastrointestinal tract before reaching the target tissues. This explains why many standard glucosamine\/chondroitin supplements show disappointing results in clinical studies: the product does not reach the cartilage matrix sufficiently. <\/p>\n

Liposomal encapsulation fundamentally addresses this problem. Phospholipid vesicles envelop the active substances and protect them from degradation in the gastrointestinal tract. Uptake is via endocytosis, independent of the passive diffusion route that hardly works for large polysaccharides. This significantly increases the systemic availability of glucosamine, chondroitin, and collagen. Liposomal preparations actually reach the synovial membrane, cartilage and periarticular tissues in therapeutically relevant concentrations. Without liposomal preparation, a high dosage on the label but a limited effect is the reality in practice with most joint supplements. <\/p>\n

Liposomal vs standard: the difference in practice<\/strong><\/p>\n

A dog that receives glucosamine daily through a standard supplement absorbs a maximum of 26% of the ingested dose. With liposomal encapsulation, the same amount of active substance is therapeutically effectively delivered to the joint tissue at a lower dose. This is why Mobility Support can have a lower daily dosage than conventional glucosamine\/chondroitin products and still work more effectively. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The additional components of Mobility Support in detail<\/h2>\n

Collagen type II: the structural backbone of cartilage<\/h3>\n

Collagen type II forms the fibrillar architecture of hyaline cartilage and is the most abundant protein in articular cartilage. In osteoarthritis, MMP-13 (collagenase-3) degrades collagen type II as a primary substrate, leading to progressive loss of cartilage structure and function. Hydrolyzed collagen type II is absorbed as dipeptides and tripeptides after intestinal absorption and used by chondrocytes as a precursor for new collagen synthesis, but also directly modulates the immune response via oral tolerance induction. [7]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

Glucosamine: precursor of glycosaminoglycans<\/h3>\n

Glucosamine is a hexosamine used by chondrocytes as a direct building block for the production of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), including hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulphate and keratin sulphate. These GAGs form the hydrophilic matrix of the cartilage that determines water retention and compression resistance. Without adequate glucosamine availability, GAG production in arthrotic cartilage decreases further. A 2022 meta-analysis (Nutraceuticals for osteoarthritis, IJMS) differentiated the evidence: glucosamine has modest but demonstrable effects on subjective pain but more limited effect on structural cartilage changes, making it best usable as part of a more complete joint supplement. [8]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

Chondroitin Sulfate: Hydration, Resilience, and MMP Inhibition<\/h3>\n

Chondroitin sulfate is the most abundant glycosaminoglycan in hyaline cartilage and synovial fluid. It binds water through its negatively charged sulfate groups, which maintains the osmotic pressure in the cartilage that is necessary for compression resistance. Chondroitin sulfate also directly inhibits the activity of MMP-3 and MMP-13, the proteases that break down cartilage collagen and aggrecan in osteoarthritis. In dogs and cats with osteoarthritis, chondroitin sulfate concentrations in the cartilage have been shown to be reduced. [2]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

Evidence note: Effect on pain versus structure<\/h2>\n

The systematic review by Lesponne et al. (2022) in IJMS, which analyzed 72 veterinary trials on nutraceuticals in osteoarthritis in dogs and cats, found clear clinical analgesic effectiveness for omega-3 supplements and CBD, and more limited evidence for glucosamine and chondroitin separately for pain management. [9]<\/a><\/sup> This is a relevant fact that leads us to position Mobility Support as a structural cartilage supporter that is primarily intended for building and maintaining joint architecture, and that works most effectively as part of a broader protocol (Joint Protocol) where omega-3 via Calanus oil and pain and inflammation modulation via PEA Complex and CBD have been supplementally introduced.<\/p>\n

\n

Scope of application Mobility Support: dog, cat and human<\/h3>\n

Osteoarthritis and chronic joint pain as structural cartilage supporter in the Joint Protocol. Preventive joint support for large breeds, sporting dogs and dogs with hereditary joint diseases. Senior animals with age-related joint wear. Post-operative recovery after orthopedic procedures and fracture repair. Tendon and ligament injuries in which ECM repair is central. Fascial disorders and myofascial pain syndrome. Wound healing and skin regeneration as a supplement. Part of the Old Age Protocol and the Operation Recovery Package. Always most effective as part of an integral protocol with additional anti-inflammatory and pain-modulating supplementation. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

Mobility Support provides the four most relevant structural building blocks for the musculoskeletal system in one liposomal formula: eggshell membrane as a complete connective tissue matrix, collagen type II as the primary structural fiber of articular cartilage, glucosamine as GAG precursor and chondroitin sulfate as hydration and MMP inhibitor.<\/p>\n

Eggshell membrane is not just a cartilage supplement. It is an ECM matrix in miniature that covers the entire connective tissue family: fascia, tendons, ligaments, muscles, skin and bone share the same structural building blocks with cartilage. The growth factors IGF-1, TGF-beta and FGF in ESM activate fibroblasts and chondrocytes in each connective tissue type. This makes Mobility Support the broadest structural repair complex in the NGD Care range. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

View Mobility Support in the NGD Care webshop<\/p>\n

To the product page<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Literature<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Ruff KJ, DeVore DP, Leu MD, Robinson MA. Eggshell membrane: a possible new natural therapeutic for joint and connective tissue disorders. Clin Interv Aging.<\/em> 2009;4:235-240.<\/li>\n
  2. Pirri C, Stecco C, et al. Understanding fascial tissue on the molecular level: Ca2+-Hyaluronan (CHA) axis as mechanotransduction feedback loop in deep fascia fibroblasts. Int J Mol Sci.<\/em> 2025; PMC12785924. <\/li>\n
  3. Schultz RM, Due T, Elbrond VS. Equine Myofascial Kinetic Lines. Leanders Grafiska AB Kalmar; 2021. ISBN 9788797342305. [Veterinary Application of Anatomy Trains in Horse and Dog, Foreword by Thomas Myers]<\/li>\n
  4. Myers TW. Anatomy Trains: Myofascial Meridians for Manual Therapists and Movement Professionals. 4th ed. Elsevier; 2020. [Including chapter Anatomy Trains in Quadrupeds by Schultz, Due and Elbrond] <\/li>\n
  5. Elbrond USA, Schultz RM. Myofascia, the unexplored tissue: myofascial kinetic lines in the horse. Medical Research Archives. 2015;3. <\/li>\n
  6. La Nuez-Garcia M, et al. Anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects of MKARE Eggshell Membrane: an in vitro osteoarthritis model and placebo-controlled clinical study. ScienceDirect.<\/em> 2024. doi:10.1016\/S1756-4646(24)00121X.<\/li>\n
  7. Ahmed TAE, Suso HP, Maqbool A, Hincke MT. Processed eggshell membrane powder: bioinspiration for an innovative wound healing product. Mater Sci Eng C.<\/em> 2019;95:192-203. <\/li>\n
  8. Vuong TT, Ronning SB, Ahmed TAE, et al. Processed eggshell membrane powder regulates cellular functions and increases MMP-activity important in early wound healing processes. PMC.<\/em> 2018; PMC6078314. <\/li>\n
  9. Ahmed TAE, Suso HP, Hincke MT. Experimental datasets on processed eggshell membrane powder for wound healing. Data Brief.<\/em> 2019;26:104457. PMC6811977. <\/li>\n
  10. Shi Y, Zhou K, Li D, Guyonnet V, Hincke MT, Mine Y. Avian eggshell membrane as a novel biomaterial: a review. Foods.<\/em> 2021; 10(9):2178.<\/li>\n
  11. Ohto-Fujita E, Shimizu M, Atomi A, et al. Eggshell membrane and its major component lysozyme and ovotransferrin enhance the secretion of decorin as an endogenous antifibrotic mediator from lung fibroblasts and ameliorate bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Biochem Biophys Rep.<\/em> 2024; doi:10.1016\/j.bbrep.2024.101806. <\/li>\n
  12. Decorin the antifibrotic proteoglycan and its progression in therapy. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol.<\/em> 2025. doi:10.1152\/ajpcell.01075.2024.<\/li>\n
  13. Fladerer JP, Grollitsch S. Eggshell membrane as promising supplement to maintain bone health: a systematic review. Bone Rep.<\/em> 2024; PMC11170356. doi:10.1016\/j.bonr.2024.101776.<\/li>\n
  14. Johnston SA. Osteoarthritis: joint anatomy, physiology, and pathobiology. Fat Clin North Am Small Anim Pract.<\/em> 1997; 27(4):699-723. [Prevalence of osteoarthritis in dogs and cats]<\/em><\/li>\n
  15. Loeser RF, Goldring SR, Scanzello CR, Goldring MB. Osteoarthritis: a disease of the joint as an organ. Arthritis Rheum.<\/em> 2012; 64(6):1697-1707.<\/li>\n
  16. Ruff KJ, DeVore DP, Leu MD, Robinson MA. Eggshell membrane: a possible new natural therapeutic for joint and connective tissue disorders. Clin Interv Aging.<\/em> 2009;4:235-240. [Eggshell membrane composition including growth factors IGF-1 and TGF-beta]<\/em><\/li>\n
  17. Ragetly GR, Martins A, Ober CA, Boiocchi S, Nicolas CS. Efficacy of a joint supplement containing eggshell membrane among other ingredients to improve the mobility of dogs with osteoarthritis: a multicenter double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study. Front Vet Sci.<\/em> 2025. doi:10.3389\/fvets.2025.1561793. [Most Recent Veterinary RCT Eggshell Membrane in Dogs with Osteoarthritis, 9 Clinics, 7 European Countries, 2025]<\/em> <\/li>\n
  18. Vozar J, Hudakova N, Nosalova N, et al. Impact of eggshell membrane on metabolism and cell adhesion in oxidatively stressed canine chondrocytes. Front Vet Sci.<\/em> 2025. doi:10.3389\/fvets.2024.1517349. [Eggshell Membrane in Canine Chondrocytes 2025]<\/em> <\/li>\n
  19. Garc\u00eda-Mu\u00f1oz AM, Abell\u00e1n-Ruiz MS, Garc\u00eda-Guill\u00e9n AI, Victoria-Montesinos D. Efficacy of eggshell membrane in knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients.<\/em> 2024; 16(16):2640. [Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis 7 RCTs Eggshell Membrane in Knee Osteoarthritis 2024]<\/em><\/li>\n
  20. Bagchi D, Misner B, Bagchi M, Kothari SC, Downs BW, Preuss HG. Effects of orally administered undenatured type II collagen against arthritic inflammatory diseases: a mechanistic exploration. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res.<\/em> 2002; 22(3-4):101-110. <\/li>\n
  21. Rainsford KD, Mulbah P, Mantle D. Review of the status for the role of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in the management of osteoarthritis. J Orthop Sci.<\/em> 2009; 14(6):673-679.<\/li>\n
  22. Lesponne I, Grzenda K, Migliorati G, et al. A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis of enriched therapeutic diets and nutraceuticals in canine and feline osteoarthritis. Int J Mol Sci.<\/em> 2022; 23(19):10384.<\/li>\n
  23. Ahmed TAE, Suso HP, Hincke MT. Processed eggshell membrane powder: bioinspiration for an innovative wound healing product. Biomaterials.<\/em> 2019;228:119562. <\/li>\n
  24. Mine Y, et al. Eggshell membrane and its major component lysozyme and ovotransferrin enhance the secretion of decorin as an endogenous antifibrotic mediator from lung fibroblasts and ameliorate bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. PMC.<\/em> 2024; PMC11372621. <\/li>\n
  25. Torres-Mansilla A, et al. Eggshell membrane as promising supplement to maintain bone health: a systematic review. PMC.<\/em> 2024; PMC11170356. <\/li>\n
  26. Liu Y, Dvoriashyna M, Vignoli G, Rubin Y. Organ dependency on fascia connective tissue. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol.<\/em> 2024. doi:10.1152\/ajpcell.00350.2024.<\/li>\n
  27. La Nuez-Garcia M, et al. Anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects of MKARE Eggshell Membrane: an in vitro osteoarthritis model and placebo-controlled clinical study. ScienceDirect.<\/em> 2024. doi:10.1016\/S1756-4646(24)00121X.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n

    This information is educational in nature and based on available scientific literature. The studies mentioned are not always directly veterinary or specific to the formulation described here. This text does not replace a veterinary consultation and does not contain any therapeutic claims. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    NGD Care Scientific Background Dietary Supplements Mobility Support: eggshell membrane, cartilage repair and more. How does eggshell membrane work as a complete cartilage matrix, what does type II collagen do in osteoarthritis, and what does the most recent veterinary literature say? The scientific background of Mobility Support in dogs, cats and humans. By Stefan Veenstra … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":22361,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_wds_title":"Mobility Support | Joints dog & cat | NGD Care","_wds_metadesc":"Complete building material matrix for cartilage, fascia and connective tissue in dogs and cats. Eggshell membrane, collagen type II, glucosamine and chondroitin liposomal","_wds_focus-keywords":"mobility support joints supplement dog cat,joints supplement dog cat,eggshell membrane dog osteoarthritis","_wds_meta-robots-adv":"","_wds_meta-robots-noindex":false,"_wds_meta-robots-nofollow":false,"_wds_meta-robots-index":false,"_wds_meta-robots-follow":false,"_wds_autolinks-exclude":false,"_wds_canonical":"","_wds_redirect":"","_wds_opengraph":[],"_wds_twitter":[],"wds_primary_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[178,8510,12029],"tags":[12765,12762,12760,12767,12759,12761,12763,12504,12758,12764,12757,12768,8899,7747,12766],"class_list":["post-22355","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog-en","category-scientific-deepening-of-supplements","category-supplements","tag-cartilage-supplement-dog-cat","tag-chondroitin-dog-supplement","tag-collagen-type-ii-dog","tag-connective-tissue-supplement-dog","tag-eggshell-membrane-dog-osteoarthritis","tag-glucosamine-dog-cat","tag-hip-dysplasia-dog-supplement","tag-joint-protocol-dog","tag-joints-supplement-dog-cat","tag-liposomal-joint-complex-dog","tag-mobility-support-dog","tag-ngd-care-mobility-support","tag-osteoarthritis-dog-supplement","tag-stefan-veenstra-dvm","tag-tendon-ligament-repair-dog","infinite-scroll-item"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ngdcare.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22355","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ngdcare.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ngdcare.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ngdcare.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ngdcare.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22355"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.ngdcare.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22355\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ngdcare.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22361"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ngdcare.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22355"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ngdcare.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22355"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ngdcare.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22355"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}