Bone Broth - an ancient health elixir

Today I want to talk about one of the oldest meals we know about. Hippocrates was one of its most ancient famous fans. We actually know that bone broth was already consumed during the Stone Age, where people cooked broth in animal shells and skins.

There is always a good reason why an ancient remedy has lasted for thousands of years. And the good thing with bone broth is that it is backed by both human experience and modern science.

1. Collagen and Gelatine

One of the most potent nutrients in bone broth is collagen.

Collagen is the main component of cartilage, which supports our joints and strengthens tendons and ligaments. It represents 25% of the proteins in our body. One of its most important functions is to act like glue that holds your body together - found mainly in connective tissues, bone marrow, cartilage, ligaments and tendons.

Collagen is also essential for healthy, flexible and strong bones - it constitutes the lattice that creates the basis of the bone structure. This is the supple basis where minerals (especially calcium) deposit. So you can have as much calcium as you want, but if you have no collagen to help fix it flexibly to the bones, you will end up with dense but very brittle bones.

Science today supports the use of collagen to help prevent and even reverse inflammation-caused diseases like:

• -Osteoarthritis
• -Osteoporosis
• -Digestive stress
• -Autoimmune disorders
• -Cancer

2. Essential Nutrients Most People Lack

• -Essential minerals: Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Potassium and Sodium - but in a BIOAVAILABLE form, easily absorbed and digested by your body
• -Silicon and other trace minerals
• -Glycine: Facilitates oxygen transportation and triggers gastric acid and bile salt production (enhancing digestion). Also a precursor of Glutathione, which helps the liver filter and detox your body
• -Proline: Necessary for the production of collagen
• -Glucosamine and chondroitin: Many people take these as supplements for joint pain. When taken through bone broth, they are even more potent in their natural form
• -Glutamine: Helps heal and grow new microvilli in your small intestines, which absorb nutrients from your food

3. Key Health Benefits

Gut healing Ever heard of the Leaky Gut? This is when the lining of your digestive system becomes permeable due to stress and inflammation. Larger food particles and toxins can leak into your bloodstream, causing your immune system to constantly react. This chronic inflammation can trigger autoimmune disorders - from allergies to Crohn's disease, lupus, asthma, chronic fatigue, skin diseases and even psychological disorders.

Bone broth helps seal the gut (the gelatine is a natural sealant), repair the lining of your digestive tract and restore new microvilli. Your gut is your second brain - many diseases, even psychological ones, can be triggered by a weak gut.

Joint pain and inflammation relief The rich nutrients in bone broth are ideal to decrease inflammation, especially in the joints.

Bone integrity As a rich source of bioavailable collagen, bone broth helps restore your bones and make them healthier, more flexible and stronger.

Liver detoxification The glycine in bone broth boosts the production of glutathione, helping the liver detoxify and cleanse itself better.

Immune system booster Bone broth helps inhibit infections like colds or viruses. It is no coincidence that chicken soup has been revered for its medicinal qualities since at least the 12th century - it even earned the nickname "Jewish Penicillin."

Healthy hair, nails and skin The collagen helps rebuild collagen fibrils, making your hair, nails and skin visibly healthier. Wrinkles can decrease and even cellulite can be potentially reduced with regular consumption.

How to Make It

Use the HIGHEST QUALITY ingredients you can find. Toxic animals = toxic bones = toxic you. Choose free-range poultry, grass-fed meat, organic.

I keep bones and leftovers from any meat I eat (chicken legs, whole chicken carcasses, lamb chops) and store them in the freezer. Another solution is to ask your local butcher - they are usually happy to give you the leftovers.

Basic Homemade Chicken Broth Recipe:

Ingredients:

• -3-4 lbs chicken carcasses, necks or backs
• -4 quarts filtered water
• -2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (essential - helps leach minerals from bones)
• -3 celery stalks, coarsely chopped
• -2 carrots, coarsely chopped
• -1 onion, quartered
• -Handful of fresh parsley
• -Sea salt to taste

Method:

1. -Put the chicken in a pot with the water and vinegar. Let sit for 30 minutes to allow the vinegar to leach minerals from the bones.
2. -Add the vegetables and bring to a boil. Skim the scum.
3. -Reduce to barely a simmer, cover, and cook for 6 to 24 hours.
4. -During the last 10 minutes, add a handful of fresh parsley for added flavor and minerals.
5. -Strain and store in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze.

It literally takes me 5 minutes to prepare, and then you just wait. There is no reason not to start making your own bone broth today.

In Health and Happiness,

Stephanie