The Benefits of Bone Broth

Another food that I didn't think much about before cancer, but now consume regularly due to its incredible nutrition benefits is bone broth.  Just like its name states, bone broth is broth or stock made from meat bones (beef, chicken, turkey, fish, lamb, etc.).  Bone broth is very light on the pocketbook and heavy in nutrients, because it is made from animal bones/carcasses that normally get thrown away, but are actually loaded with important nutrients!


I buy beef soup bones from my local farm store, and I use the carcasses from whole chickens/turkeys that I roast.  The entire carcass from a bird can be used including the "yucky" stuff that you normally toss like the skin, fat, wings, joints, bones, and even the head and feet if available.  Throw all the "parts" into a pot full of water, add a couple tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (which really helps draw out the nutrients), and bring to a boil.  Then let it simmer on the stove or in a crock pot for anywhere from 24-48 hours.  You can add vegetables while it's simmering, too, like onions, celery, garlic, etc.  Any meat left attached to the bones will eventually fall right off.  When it's done, just strain out the bones, etc., that you don't want to eat.  While you can skim off the foam that forms when it's being boiled, don't throw away the "skin" that may form on the top while simmering, or the gelatin-like substance that forms on the top of the broth when it's cooling--those are both nutrient-dense substances, so just mix them back in.  The bone broth can be used immediately in soups or stews, drunk as a warm beverage, or frozen for later use.


As with most foods, although benefit can be obtained from using conventional ingredients, the health benefits are superior when using superior ingredients such as meat from healthy, free-range or grass-fed animals uncontaminated by hormones and antibiotics; organic vegetables; purified water.


Why should you consume bone broth?  Well, your mom or grandma were more right than you know when they told you that you need chicken soup when you're sick.  As for me, I've said it in previous posts, and I'll say it again:  one of the most important things you need to fight or prevent cancer is a strong, healthy immune system, the majority of which is found in the gut.  Bone broth not only contributes to gut and immune health, but so much more!  Some of the benefits of consuming bone broth include:

• Boosts the immune system
• Heals leaky gut syndrome and the health problems associated with it
• Heals allergies, asthma, and arthritis
• Fights inflammation
• Inhibits infections from cold/flu viruses, etc.
• Works as a detoxifier
• Improves joint health
• Promotes strong, healthy bones, healthy hair and nail growth, and even inhibits cellulite

Let's talk about some of the nutrients in bone broth which are all easily digested and absorbed:
Collagen is the protein found abundantly in the connective tissues of bone, marrow, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.  Gelatin is formed by the breakdown of collagen in simmering bone broth.  Collagen protects and soothes the intestinal tract lining, which can aid in healing conditions associated with a compromised or unhealthy gut.

• Gelatin can help people with food allergies/sensitivities, including cow milk and gluten, by encouraging the growth and balance of probiotics.
• Gelatin helps break down proteins, making the nutrients in bone broth easily absorbable.
• Collagen and gelatin provide bone-building minerals.
• Gelatin promotes healthy hair and nail growth.
• Collagen increases connective tissues, leading to tighter, smoother skin, and decreased cellulite.

Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon, sulphur, and other trace minerals are all easily absorbed in bone broth.


Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates reduce inflammation, joint pain, and arthritis.  These nutrients can be purchased in supplement form for a pretty penny, but are inexpensively and readily available from bone broth.
The conditionally essential amino acids arginine, proline, glycine, and glutamine are all effective as anti-inflammatories.  "Conditional essential" amino acids are categorized as non-essential--essential only in certain circumstances.  However, due to most people consuming a very unhealthy Western diet, these amino acids could be considered "chronically essential."

• Arginine is necessary for proper immune system function, wound healing, the production and release of growth hormone, and sperm production; it also helps regenerate damaged liver cells.
• Glycine prevents the breakdown of protein tissue like muscle, is used in the production of bile salts and glutathione, helps in detoxification, is an antioxidant, and is a neurotransmitter which improves sleep, memory, and performance.
• Proline helps heal joints and regenerate cartilage, reduces cellulite and improves skin, and helps repair a leaky gut.

Bone broth is another fantastic super-food that is well worth the minimum effort required to make it.  So save those carcasses!  :)