In Chinese Medicine, bone broth nourishes our Liver, Kidney, Lung, and Spleen meridian functions. As a highly medicinal food, it promotes strength, tonifies the blood and qi, nourishes and supports our vital essence, nourishes wei qi, tonifies yang, and restores yin. It has also been considered a healing food in other traditional cultures for centuries. In western biomedicine, it has been discovered that bone broth is rich in calcium, magnesium, iron, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur and other minerals. Bone broth is composed of six main substances: marrow, cartilage, glycine, proline, collagen, and gelatin.
Marrow contains omega 3 fatty acids, minerals, vitamin A, and myeloid stem cells (precursor to red blood cells), lymphoid stem cells (precursor to white blood cells and platelets). As a blood-building mechanism, this helpful substance helps carry oxygen to other cells in the body via red blood cells.
Cartilage is rich in glycosaminoglycans, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin, and keratin sulfate. It can reduce joint deterioration and benefit the connective tissues. It contains anti-angiogenesis factors that starve blood supply to cancer cells. Cartilage also stimulates macrophage B and T immune cells.
Glycine is an amino acid that promotes glucose production and regulation. As an amino acid, it acts as an antioxidant, promotes muscle recovery and wound healing, and assists with liver detoxification. A shortage of glycine increases inflammation and increases collagen damage and glucose levels.
Proline is an amino acid required for collagen formation. It supports the formation and support for healthy cartilage, tendons, bones, ligaments, and skin.
Collagen is a structural protein that holds cells together and makes up connective tissues. This tissue is integral for flexibility and elasticity in our bodies.
When inflammation occurs in the body, collagen is broken down or eaten away.
Gelatin is the cooked form of collagen and feeds the collagen in the body when consumed. It can heal mucus membranes and inflammation in intestinal walls.
Adding collagen or bone broth to your diet is a simple way to nourish blood and qi. Bone broth can be bought or made from the bones saved from meals. To make bone broth, slow cook for 4 hours 2-3 pounds of bones, 4 quarts of water, 2 tbs of vinegar, onions, carrots, and parsley. Skim the scum off the surface of water. Enjoy!
References:
Benefits Of Bone Broth. (2018, August 25). Doctor Auer.
Daniel, K. (2017, March 15). Why Broth is Beautiful: Essential Roles for Proline, Glycine and
Gelatin. The Weston A. Price Foundation. https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/why-broth-is-beautiful-essential-roles-for-proline-glycine-and-gelatin/
Dar, Q. A., Schott, E. M., Catheline, S. E., Maynard, R. D., Liu, Z., Kamal, F., Farnsworth, C. W., Ketz, J. P., Mooney, R. A., Hilton, M. J., Jonason, J. H., Prawitt, J., & Zuscik, M. J. (2017). Daily oral consumption of hydrolyzed type 1 collagen is chondroprotective and anti-inflammatory in murine posttraumatic osteoarthritis. PloS one, 12(4), e0174705. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0174705
Feeney, R. (n.d.). The Power of the Almighty Bone Broth.
Wow, I just learned so much about bone broth and I think I need it! Do you recommend any specific bone broth to purchase? What’s the best way to consume purchased bone broth and how often?
Good morning! I love your website and your clear descriptions of terms and concepts. I will likely be contacting you soon for a consultation or the consultation and treatment package.
LOVE the article (and the references) on Bone Broth. The photo looks like something I would love to eat, lol. Thanks for the info. ~~~Susan Centineo