By Lauren Wallace “What is bone broth?” “What does it do?” “What is in it?” I get these questions a lot. And, to be honest, there are so many benefits that it is nearly impossible to explain all of it within the inquirers 30 second attention span. So, I decided to explain it in the fastest and most straight-to-the-point way possible. Here we go. “What is bone broth?” Bone broth is simply organic free range/ grass fed animal bones, slow simmered over a few days with organic vegetables and herbs. The low-and-slow simmering method causes the bones and ligaments to release proteins, antioxidants, minerals, and healing compounds like collagen, gelatin, proline, glycine and glutamine that have the power to literally transform your health. The vegetables and herbs work together with the bones to create a synergistic effect. What does that mean? Essentially this allows both the bones and the vegetables/ herbs to aid the other in breaking down, which means working together is proven to be more beneficial than either alone. This beautiful breakdown of what many would consider to be scraps, turns into the biggest nutritional hype since the revolution of the nutrition chart- Bone Broth.
Now, if you take nothing else away from this article, take this little nugget of wisdom–
Not all “bone broth”, is actual bone broth.
Sorry to burst your bubble. REAL bone broth is not found in the yellow box on the shelves of Kroger, between the Swanson chicken stock and low sodium beef broth. If I can stress anything enough, it is the importance to understand that most store-bought “stock”, “broth”, and “bone broths” today are not actually “real.” Instead, companies use lab-produced meat flavors in stocks, broths, bouillon cubes, soups, and sauce mixes. Some of the “bone broth” companies claim that they “use real bones”, however the truth is, they drop a bone or two in their artificially flavored broth for a few minutes, so that they can justify the title. In fact, most manufacturers are actually using monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is recognized as a “meat flavor” but is actually a neurotoxin. Yum, right? Long story short, either make it yourself, or buy from a reliable company (hi) that actually does it right. If it doesn’t say “made with free range/ grass fed bones” and “simmered for at least 24 hours” on it, move along. Issa fake. “What does it do?” Bone broth benefits literally every part of your body, from your gut, thyroid, and liver to your brain, muscles, and ligaments. Doctors, scientists, & nutritionists alike are completely astounded. Bone broth is the life changing, collagen and gelatin restoring, whole-body detoxifying, autoimmune disorder eliminating, leaky gut banishing, thyroid healing, age reversing, metabolism and immune boosting, allergies/ intolerances/ asthma/ arthritis eradicating, caffeine-replacing, wrinkle reducing, time machine replicating, all-natural multivitamin, all mixed up in a deliciously easy-to-digest sippable liquid form.
Athletes use it to recover and build muscle, trainers use it to curb appetite and lose weight, and normal humans with leaky gut use it to live normally. I have seen autoimmune patients recover, long-term hashimoto’s patients go into remission, and patients receiving chemo SWEAR by this stuff. It is GOLD.
“What is in it?” I am so glad you asked. Pay attention, you may recognize many of these. Bone broth contains all of the following:
Minerals:
· calcium · magnesium · phosphorus · silicon · sulphur
Collagen
· main structural protein that helps form connective tissue · “seals” the protective lining of the gastrointestinal tract · Covers and holds our bones together · Improves skin elasticity, including wrinkles, cellulite, and puffiness · Prevents Leaky Gut (Irritation within the gut impairs normal digestive functions and causes permeability, allowing particles to pass into the bloodstream, known as leaky gut.) · As a rich source of gelatin, bone broth protects and seals the mucosal lining of the GI tract. (That means it improves nutrient absorption and also helps keep particles from leaching out where they shouldn’t be.)
Gelatin
· fights food sensitivities (such as gluten or dairy) · improves gut health and digestion · protects joints and lowers joint pain · helps improve sleep quality · lifts mood · improves cognitive abilities · improves skin health · helps maintain heart health · maintains strong bones · helps you feel full · restores the gut lining · encourages growth of probiotics
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)
· supports collagen and elastin · supports digestive health · restores the intestinal lining.
Glucosamine (sold as pricey supplements to reduce inflammation and arthritis joint pain.)
· keeps the integrity of cartilage · improves joint health · helps support loss of cartilage · helps support flexibility and endurance · protects bones, ligaments, and muscles
Hyaluronic Acid (sold in pricey skin care products)
· contributes to cell proliferation, differentiation, and mitigation. · allows our cells to perform throughout the body as needed. · promotes healthy aging, cell rejuvenation and skin firmness. · Reduces wrinkles and maintains skins moisture balance
Chondroitin Sulfate
· supports joint health and comfort · supports healthy inflammation response · supports cardiovascular health · supports bone and skin health · supports healthy cholesterol levels.
Electrolytes (sold in expensive sports drinks that are filled with artificial sweeteners, carcinogens, and sugars)
· Electrolytes include calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus · supports healthy circulation, bone density, and nerve signaling functions · Supports heart health and digestive health. · balances sodium and potassium to support cellular health and efficiency and prevent electrolyte imbalance. 19 Amino acids (sold in many vitamins/ supplements, protein powders, and found in BCAA recovery powders)
· builds and repairs muscle tissue · are the core building blocks of proteins · supports bone mineral density · boosts nutrient absorption and synthesis · and maintains muscle and connective tissue health · reduces inflammation in the respiratory system · improves digestion Glycine
· Prevents breakdown of protein tissue like muscle · Used to make bile salts and glutathione · Helps detoxify the body of chemicals and acts like a antioxidant · Is a neurotransmitter that improves sleep, memory and performance · Helps form muscle · Convers glucose into useable energy · Slows cartilage, tissue, and muscle loss · Protects against muscle protein breakdown
Glutamine · Protects gut lining · Is metabolic fuel for cells in small intestine · Improves metabolism and muscle building · helps us maintain energy · sends nutrients & nitrogen, to our cells. Arginine · Necessary for immune system function and wound healing · Needed for the production and release of growth hormone · Helps regenerate damaged liver cells · Needed for the production of sperm · breaks down nitric oxide · helps improve circulation · sends blood and nutrients to cells throughout the body · improves muscle and tissue integrity · promotes normal wound healing Proline
· Helps regenerate cartilage and heal joints · Reduces cellulite and makes skin more supple · Helps repair leaky gut, · Helps overcome food intolerances, and allergies · Corrects autoimmune response · Glutathione
· Regulates gene expressions
· Regulates DNA and protein synthesis
· Regulates cell proliferation and apoptosis
· Regulates signal transduction & cytokine production
· Regulates immune responses
Like I said, GOLD.
Ready to make a change?