The Benefits Of Bone Broth
Last updated on March 23, 2023
Your grandmother was right! That homemade chicken soup was great for the soul….and your health. Bone broths and stocks have been part of the diet of almost every culture on earth as long as we have a written record. This traditional food was almost lost during the last 50 years but has now regained its place as a true superfood. Don’t be deterred from thinking that bone broth is a new hipster trend, it’s an ancient part of our humanity. It’s also a way to honour the animal that has given its life for your nourishment by using every part of its body.
Bone broth, along with other nutrient-dense foods like vegetables and healthy fats, can be a great addition to a ketogenic diet. The ketogenic diet is designed to put the body into a state of ketosis, in which it burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. This can lead to weight loss, improved blood sugar control, and other health benefits. By incorporating bone broth into your ketogenic diet, you can get a variety of important nutrients while also supporting your body’s transition into ketosis.
- It Protects Your Joints
As you slowly boil the bones over days the bone matrix, cartilage, and connective tissue break down and diffuse into the liquid. This concoction is the building block of your bones and connective tissue. The gelatin components act like a cushion between the bones and help reduce friction.
There have many been research studies conducted on athletes that have demonstrated that supplementing with collagen (a component of bone broth) shows “significant improvement in joint comfort”.
- Good For Your Gut
There has been much talk about gut health in recent times and many researchers, scientists and practitioners feel that poor gut health or “leaky gut” is one of the biggest components of many chronic illnesses. When your gut lining is inflamed, irritated or damaged the small openings that are designed to let amino acids, fatty acids and another small metabolite pass can become much larger allowing fully intact proteins and other large molecules through. This can trigger an immune response and inflammation.
Again, the components of the bone broth are the building blocks for the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. The broth is also already broken down and easily digested and assimilated and has an anti-inflammatory effect.
- Maintain Healthy Radiant Skin
“A Facelift in a bowl” I often say to patients about bone broth. Bone broth contains the key nutrient for all connective tissue including skin. Collagen is the one we think about the most because it forms elastin, which gives your skin that healthy, youthful texture, stretch and tone and helps reduce signs of ageing.
Cellulite is also a condition of loss of collagen. Many people report that supplementing with collagen has decreased the visible signs of cellulite.
- Increase Detoxification
Bone broth is high in essential and non-essential amino acids and nutrients that are required for the body’s detoxification processes. Specifically potassium, glycine, proline, sulfur, and glutathione. These compounds assist in cellular and liver detoxification processes.
Bone broth also supplies essential minerals that may be deficient or missing from a modern diet. These minerals can act as natural chelators and bind to and remove toxins and heavy metals from the body.
These are just a few of the many great benefits of bone broth that contribute to a healthier body. When considering dietary approaches my go-to recommendation is this:
- Is it congruent with our historical past?
- Does it supply what our genes require to express optimal health?
- Does it taste good?
Bone broth checks all the boxes.
I recommend getting a slow cooker and making your own. It’s super easy and much more cost-effective. Plus you get to decide what goes in it.
In addition to bone broth, another health practice that some people find beneficial is chiropractic. Chiropractic is a complementary medical practice that involves the manipulation of the spine and other body parts to alleviate pain and improve overall health. Many people seek chiropractic care for conditions such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, and joint problems.
It is important to note that chiropractic should only be performed by a licensed professional chiropractor and should not be used as a substitute for medical care for serious conditions.
