Mother-of-pearl in dietary supplements for osteoporosis.

In this article, we will provide you with as comprehensive an overview as possible of what is known as "mother-of-pearl," used in the dietary supplement industry to regenerate bone and cartilage.

We are well-positioned to tell you about it because, as you may know, it is one of our flagship supplements.

What is mother-of-pearl?

Definition:
Mother-of-pearl, or nacre, is the iridescent inner lining of certain mollusk shells, synthesized by the mollusk and composed of aragonite crystals bonded by a protein called conchiolin. It has long been a sought-after product for decoration, marquetry, jewelry making, and buttons, to the point that certain shells, such as abalones, have disappeared locally. Some are farmed for mother-of-pearl, and those are the ones we are going to talk about.

How does mother-of-pearl develop inside the mollusk?

 Mother-of-pearl is formed by a regular juxtaposition of aragonite layers. This thickness is welded together by an organic cement. 

Mother-of-pearl results from a process of bio-transformation of minerals into rigid mineral structures (bio-mineralization), starting from a matrix formed of specific proteins. It results from the regular superposition of layers of conchiolin, aragonite crystals, and traces of water and various ions, whose particular arrangement causes light interference, giving it its iridescent appearance.

One can clearly see how the layers of mother-of-pearl, composed of aragonite calcium and calcite of a pearl, accumulate.

Characteristics of mother-of-pearl:

• Mother-of-pearl has specific mechanical and physicochemical characteristics that are very different from other minerals, which are often based on calcium carbonate.
• It is a relatively acid- and heat-resistant material that we do not know how to replicate. This includes bio-mineralization and all biochemical processes that can lead to the production, maintenance, and protection of a mollusk shell.
• The quality and type of mother-of-pearl formation vary according to the species and evolutionary stages.
• As an organic substance, conchiolin is present in very small quantities in mother-of-pearl (approximately 4 to 6%) and determines its structure by serving as a "cement" for the aragonite crystals, which account for 90%. Mother-of-pearl consists of small aragonite crystals 500 nm thick, stacked and separated by a very thin layer (about 50 nm) of protein that ensures the tenacity of the whole.
• The proteins that contribute to forming mother-of-pearl produce calcium carbonate in the form of aragonite; it appears that the soluble part of these proteins is responsible for crystal formation, while the insoluble part determines its density, size, and quantity.

Mother-of-pearl is more resistant to acids than the shell itself. In a living mollusk, it reconstitutes itself after being pierced or damaged.

What does science say about the therapeutic potential of mother-of-pearl for bone problems such as osteoporosis?

Several studies have been conducted on the therapeutic potential of the molecules composing mother-of-pearl, particularly for osteoporosis issues.
Mother-of-pearl is not only a unique and special source of calcium, but also a source of bio-active compounds that influence natural bone assimilation, resorption, and bone remodeling.
It has been proven, following these studies, that taking mother-of-pearl has a real effect on reducing bone loss, and that taking powdered mother-of-pearl is more effective than simple pure calcium carbonate in limiting bone loss in an ovariectomy-induced (induced menopause) osteoporosis model in rats.
This study also demonstrates the protective effect of mother-of-pearl on bone capital.

Why take Pleine Forme brand mother-of-pearl capsules?

The mother-of-pearl we use is extracted from the pearl of a nacreous mollusk: Hyriopsis cumingii. The properties of mother-of-pearl are linked to its structure and composition, which are very similar to those of human bone.

Hyriopsis cumingii

Mother-of-pearl contains all the substances present in our bones:

- Calcium in the form of aragonite (bone also contains calcium in the form of hydroxyapatite)

- all types of collagen (the organic framework of bone itself is 90% collagen), as well as 16 amino acids and 13 minerals.

These natural substances rebalance and strengthen the organic framework (bone structure) and mineral composition of the body (the sheets).
The presence of the natural substances contained in mother-of-pearl allows for optimal assimilation of calcium and promotes bone reconstruction.
This combination of specific substances is identical in bone and mother-of-pearl.

The benefits of mother-of-pearl powder capsules against bone problems.

For 30 years, as we have been recommending Pearl Powder—this specific calcium in capsule form, or mother-of-pearl—we have noted excellent feedback from people satisfied with their experiences with our product, particularly regarding the following actions:

-Fracture, osteoporosis, periodontitis (tooth loosening), and osteoarthritis
-Osteoarticular and muscular synthesis and regeneration through a considerable supply of assimilable calcium.
-Anti-fatigue, sports recovery, and quality remineralization thanks to its profile rich in amino acids and minerals.
-Helps with the growth of children and adolescents.
-Maintains energy in elderly, tired, or overworked individuals.

The benefits of Calcium:

-Calcium promotes the maintenance of bones under normal conditions
-Helps with the functioning of neurotransmission.
-Promotes the functioning of digestive enzymes.

How to use Pleine Forme Mother-of-pearl?

Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis:

1 capsule per day with a meal. To be effective, the course of treatment must be continuous.

Depending on your osteodensitometry results or your perception of pain, the treatment can last from 4 to 24 months. Based on our experience, we know that if you are in the "red zone," a minimum period of 12 to 24 months of treatment will be necessary to increase your bone density.
A second course of treatment the following year may be necessary to maintain the capital you have previously obtained; you will then halve the duration of the first year's treatment.
If you do 6 months the first year, then 3 months will suffice the second year to maintain bone capital.
(this dosage is an average based on customer feedback; advice should be adapted to each individual)

As prevention from age 45:

You can also anticipate demineralization and calcium loss by doing so-called preventive treatments, especially for women.

Mother-of-pearl to fight against osteoporosis, but not only that.

Anti-fatigue, sports recovery:

1 capsule per day with a meal or at the end of a workout.
The treatment can last as needed.

-Helps with the growth of children and adolescents:

1 capsule per day with a meal.
This treatment should only be used when a deficiency or need is confirmed; it can be regulated by an appropriate diet, so the treatment will be of short duration, around 3 months maximum per year.

Find our product here

How are our mother-of-pearl capsules made?

Because we wish to be as precise and transparent as possible, we will reveal some manufacturing secrets and exclusive photos, from cultivation to the packaging of our dietary supplement Mother-of-pearl capsules to fight against osteoporosis.

1-Pearl cultivation

Pearl cultivation is carried out in breeding ponds; our operator is a German company that selects the pearls most appropriate for our requirements (specifications).
We have chosen freshwater pearls from breeding ponds to preserve the marine environment as much as possible and to avoid allergies to products originating from the sea.
Furthermore, freshwater pond cultivation is virtuous because the pond accommodates, in turns, shrimp farming and then mother-of-pearl production. Shrimp excrement serves as food for the growth of the nacreous mollusk. This avoids nitrogen pollution due to human-added food or industrial inputs. The nacreous mollusk thus acts as a filter and cleaner of the cultural environment.
Our mother-of-pearl is of Ecocert quality, but for reasons of final price to consumers, we have chosen not to pay for the label and thus reduce the final purchase price.

*Hyriopsis cumingii is the name of the mollusk that produces the mother-of-pearl, with calcium so particular that it acts to maintain normal bone structure.

From pearl to mother-of-pearl in capsules.

This visual will allow you to follow the evolution of the manufacturing chain.

Step 1: Manual selection of pearls

Sorting is done by hand between the different qualities of pearls.
From step 2 to step 8, these are manufacturing secrets and technical characteristics that we keep to ourselves ;)
From step 8, the mother-of-pearl powder is transported to Angers where our packaging laboratory is located.
They perform the (vegetable) encapsulation for us and ensure the application of our specifications, namely: total weight, quantity of active ingredients per capsule, labeling, declaration to the DGCCRF, and transport to your Pleine Forme store.
They also ensure the sanitary quality of the packaging with strict European standards such as ISO 9001 and ISO 22000.

Find our product Nacre-60-capsules-Pleine Forme.