BONE BROTH by DR. MARC BUBBS

The use of bone broth soups have been a staple in traditional diets of our ancestors all across the world. A traditional broth that has proven over time to be a comforting and nutritious health benefit during those cold and flu seasons. Research, however, has been showing that there are many added benefits and healing properties inside that bowl of soup. It is a nutrient dense stock created when simmering animals bones ( and connective tissues ) for many hours. Traditionally, vinegars are added to extract the nutrients from the bones and break down the connective tissue, so it is easy to digest and absorb. Bones from all types of animals can be used; chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, pig, wild game and fish.

Today, our food culture is surrounded by processed and packaged foods loaded with sugar and harmful additives. These calorically-rich and nutrient-poor foods contribute significantly to fatigue, belly fat, poor health, and virtually all types of chronic diseases. This leading to persistent pain, weight gain, inflammation, digestive problems, insomnia, the list goes on and on.

 Bone broth is a nutrient packed powerhouse that contains very few calories with a load of phenomenal vital minerals like calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc. It is also packed with 17 amino acids and collagen proteins such as Glycine, Proline and Glutamine known for their healing benefits throughout the body! Another incredible array of nutrients found in bone broth is, of course, the joint friendly Glycosaminoglycans ( GAG’s) like Glucosamine, Hyaluronic Acid, Keratin Sulfate and Glucosamine. All these nutrients are known to support many areas in your health. These nutrients are the key to anti-aging, strong ligaments and cartilage, nails and skin firmness. Glycine, one of the most abundant amino acids found in bone broth plays a significant role in collagen synthesis. It is classified as a conditionally essential amino-acid required in larger quantities during time of stress. Stress can come in any form – long hours at the office, not eating well, training intensely or not getting enough sleep. When our body is under stress, our glycine level requirement will be elevated and a lack of sufficient intake, particularly from dietary sources, may lead to your joints, immunity, sleep patterns, digestive tract to suffer the consequences. Glycine is known to support the inhibitory neurotransmitters that help to relax and calm your nervous system, is required to make haemoglobin and myoglobin which is responsible for ferrying oxygen in our body and aiding in our energy levels as well as playing an important role in “ sealing’ our mucosal walls in our digestive tract. Unfortunately, the standard North American diet has created an epidemic of gastro—intestinal symptoms, such as gas, bloating, constipation, loose stools, irritable bowel syndrome ( IBS ), inflammatory bowel disease ( IBD ), food sensitivities etc. Bone broth is rich in anti-inflammatory nutrients, collagen and amino acids that help to seal your gut and maintain its protective barrier ( mucosal lining ). It has been shown that consuming a daily cup of bone broth is a great way to reverse chronic digestive complaints as well as improving the immunity in our bodies. Bone broth as mentioned contains 17 easily absorbed amino acids, which are the building blocks to protein, the essential macro nutrient needed in the body for cell regeneration. These amino acids , specifically glycine and glutamine are important in muscle recovery and growth as well as play a role in preventing muscle wasting as we age. Protein also plays a role in weight loss as it gives us the feeling of satiety ( feeling full ) and helps stabilize our blood sugars. As we age, Collagen, the protein found in the largest abundance in the human body and foundation of all your connective tissues starts to decrease. Collagen is found in our bones, tendons ligaments and skin. It helps improve circulation, enhances the elasticity of the skin, beneficial in anti-aging and wound healing. Collagen acts as a sponge between our bones, making up the fluids in our cartilages in our joints and supports a healthy inflammation response in our body. Arthritis, one of the leading inflammatory conditions in the body, is a result of the cartilage breakdown from a lack of collagen. It is the collagen we find the GAG’s – glycosaminoglycans such as Chondroitin, Hyaluronic Acid and glucosamine. Each of these nutrients plays an integrative role in our joint health but providing lubrication and moisture in our joints, rebuilding and slowing down the breakdown of cartilage as well as providing the tensile strength in our ligaments. Bone broth is an excellent and readily absorbable source of these nutrients. Often these are found in expensive supplement form and hard to absorb. Athletes also can also benefit from these amazing nutrients, as the primary reason for injuries or shortened athletic careers are joint problems. With the various types of collagen found in bone broth, we can help support the inflammatory response in our body, which is beneficial to those who suffer from inflammatory conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, auto-immune disorders, asthma and allergies. Additionally to these ailments, bone broth is an excellent healing elixir those who suffer from Irritable bowel disease, IBS, leaky gut, food sensitives and allergies. It provides a stronger immune response and more healthy and beneficial bacterias in the intestinal tract as well as reducing skin symptoms such as psoriasis, acne and eczema. Amazingly the research continues to grow and show the healing benefits of healing the body within through food. Bone broth is an excellent example of that.