Ancient remedies of the past are reemerging now with scientific research to support them. The chicken soup for colds and flu was right on and now we know why. Not just in times of sickness, though! The minerals, electrolytes, amino acids and gelatin are good for metabolism, skin, joints and muscles, digestion and the immune system! And it’s FOOD! I get excited about the simplest things.

Especially ANYONE who’s reading this that suffers digestive difficulties: bone broth will help to heal the mucosal barrier that lines your gut. Who knew? Our grandmothers and their mothers and their mothers’ mothers, that’s who.

Metabolism and Fertility
Hyaluronic acid in bone broth contributes to cell proliferation, differentiation and mitigation, allowing our cells to perform various functions throughout the body as needed. Follicles are cells! Glutathione, which is enhanced by the amino acid Glycine, supports building and repairing muscle tissue, supporting bone mineral density, boosts nutrient absorption and synthesis, and maintains muscle and connective tissue health. Glycine protects skeletal muscle loss and stops the expression of genes associated with age-related muscle protein breakdown. Arginine has the role of breaking down nitric oxide that helps improve circulation and sends blood and nutrients to cells throughout the body.

Digestion
The gelatin protects and soothes the lining of the digestive tract and can aid in healing IBS, Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis and acid reflux symptoms. The amino acids in gelatin build the tissue that lines the colon and entire GI tract. It’s helpful for leaky gut syndrome and the autoimmune disorders that accompany it and promotes probiotic balance and growth. When the mucosal barrier throughout the gut is healed, the immune system works more effectively.

Joints, Bones and Skin
Gelatin provides bone-building minerals that are easily absorbable, preventing bone loss and reducing join pain. The Collagen helps form elastin and other compounds within skin that are responsible for maintaining the skin’s youthful tone, texture and appearance (wrinkles!).

Inflammation
Amino acids help to reduce inflammation, the root of most chronic conditions, in the respiratory and digestive systems. Collagen helps form connective tissue and seals the protective lining of the gastrointestinal tract, which improves nutrient absorption.

Detox
Glycine and proline are particularly important amino acids present in bone broth. Glycine is a simple amino acid necessary in the manufacture of other amino acids. It is also involved in glucogenesis (the manufacture of glucose), supports digestion by enhancing gastric acid secretion, and is essential for wound healing. It is a precursor amino acid for glutathione, needed in large amounts for the liver to detox. Glutathione helps with elimination of fat-soluble compounds, especially heavy metals like mercury and lead. Bone broth also increases intake of essential minerals, which act like chelators to remove toxins by stopping heavy metals from attaching to mineral receptor sites.

If you experience digestive difficulties, it’s always wise to investigate. We can do that here at Heal from Within through Functional Diagnostic Nutrition: http://heal-from-within.com/functional-diagnostic-nutrition/. If you’re healthy, may as well shore up your reserves, right? So, drink your bone broth!

By the way, it is a bit time consuming to make your own, though very worthwhile. You can find recipes on the internet (I like Rebecca Katz: www.rebeccakatz.com/). A good resource for powdered bone broth is: www.ancientnutrition.com/, and they’re having a sale this weekend. I have no financial relationship with either of these businesses, just so you know. Happy Labor Day Weekend!