Bone broth is a nutrient-dense liquid that contains brewed connective tissues and bones. Bone broth can be made using fish, chicken, and cow bones. This healthy liquid is rich in nutrients, vitamins, proline, and gelatin which make it an important dietary supplement for very many people.
Let’s explore some of the health benefits of bone broth:
Kidney health: How to Improve my Kidney Function
Bone broth is rich in minerals and vitamins that help protect against the damaging effects of toxins like lead. Moreover, glycine has been shown to stimulate the production of glutathione. It also protects the body against hypoxia, reduces oxidative stress, and speeds recovery after liver transplant.
Proline plays an important role in the breakdown of old cells (apoptosis) and in clearing up waster products in the body. On the other hand, glutamine is a nontoxic nitrogen transporter that carries amine groups through the blood to the kidneys. The process of converting glutamine to glutamate in the kidney produces ammonium which regulates acid-base balance.
Cardiovascular and metabolic health
Bone broth is rich in glycine which helps regulate blood sugar by controlling glucose production in the liver (gluconeogenesis). This amino acid has been shown to counteract the negative effects of consuming dietary fructose and also reduce the intensity of heart attacks. Furthermore, Glycine helps balance out methionine intake.
Eggs and muscle meats are high in an amino acid known as methionine which raises the levels of homocysteine in the blood. High levels of homocysteine increase the risk for serious diseases such as stroke, fractures, heart disease, and mental illness, and it also increases the body’s need for nutrients that neutralize homocysteine like choline, B12, B6, and folate. Therefore, people who eat lots of meat need adequate levels of glycine to regulate the methionine from animal protein, and they can get that by eating bone broth.
Enhance Muscle Repair and Performance
Glycine is very important for the synthesis of myoglobin and hemoglobin, which are responsible for transporting oxygen through muscle tissue and blood respectively. Furthermore, glycine increases the levels of cretin, which stimulates the production of human growth hormone, enhances muscle repair, and helps increase high-intensity (anaerobic) capacity.
Recent studies show that proline helps regulate the mTOR cellular signaling pathway, which helps integrate signals from stress factors, cellular energy status, growth factors, and nutrients to affect cell growth and function. Proline and other amino acids activate mTOR, which enhances muscle protein synthesis.
ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) is a form of energy that is used to perform work in the body. Phosphorus is necessary for the formation of ATP, which can only be active when it’s bound to magnesium ions. Research shows phosphorus deficiencies impair muscle performance. Bone broth contains magnesium and phosphorus in modest amounts.
Joints and Bones: How can I keep my joints healthy?
Bone broth provides all the necessary materials for building strong and healthy bones, including amino acids, phosphorus, and calcium. A deficiency of these materials results in various conditions. For instance, osteoporosis is commonly associated with low levels of calcium and collagen in the bones.
To keep your joints and bones healthy you also need the nutrients necessary for supporting the building process, such as vitamins K2, C, and D. These and a host of other essential nutrients such as chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine which are essential for keeping joints and bones healthy can be obtained from bone broth supplements.
Digestion: How Can I Improve Digestion?
Drinking bone broth is a good way to improve digestion. Nutrients such as glycine enhance the secretion of stomach acid, which helps improve digestion. Hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid) is very common even in developed countries and can cause a wide range of complications, including GERD and heartburn.
Furthermore, glycine is an important constituent of bile acid, which aids in the digestion of fats. Bile acid also helps maintain healthy blood cholesterol levels. Gelatin supports healthy bowel movements and improves gut motility by drawing fluid into the small intestine. Low levels of collagen in the blood have been linked to inflammatory bowel disease.
Brain Health: Ways to improve my Brain Health
Many components of bone broth are highly beneficial to the nervous system. Bone broth is rich in healthy fats which provide a source of raw materials and fuel for the brain. Glycine has been shown to protect the brain against neuronal death especially after ischemic shock.
Calcium is also important for nerve conduction. When nerve cells are stimulated, calcium triggers the release of neurotransmitters, allowing signals to be passed on to other nerve cells. Calcium deficiency can affect this transmission and result in symptoms of hyperactivity, insomnia, and depression.
Many people also report a host of other benefits such as weight loss and better eye sight when they start drinking this nutrient-rich supplement. An increase in the intake of collagen is also reported to reduce many signs of aging such as puffiness around the eyes and wrinkles.
