The Amazing Bone Broth

If I was forced to name a favorite food. I honestly think I would have to say bone broth. Not at all the “cool kid” answer but I never aspired to be that anyway. Bone broth is one of the most versatile, nutrient dense, and cost effective healing foods available to us. When I say bone broth, I mean your basic homemade chicken or beef stock. These homemade stocks deliver powerful minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium as well as necessary amino acids such as glycine and proline and glutamine. I could literally spend hours talking about all the benefits nutritionally of bone broth, but links below will give you more in-depth information if you really want to geek out on why I think this should be a staple food in everyone’s diet. For now, I’m sure you will settle for some basics on the benefits of bone broth:

1. The bones when simmered for hours release gelatin which is a major player in gut healing. Gelatin helps to seal the gut lining which increases nutrient absorption, and decrease food sensitivity reactions. Overall, the health of the gut is fundamental in the gut/brain connection therefore having significant impact on mood, behavior, and all things associated with autism, ADHD, and general spectrum disorders.
2. Glycine is a conditionally essential amino acid which means the body makes some but we need more from our foods. There isn’t any part of the body that doesn’t use glycine in some capacity. It’s like glue that supports and holds cells together. It also helps control blood sugar and insulin levels which is way cool and it builds the cells that are the “front line defense” of our immune system.
3. Bone marrow from simmered bones gives the body extra building blocks for making red blood cells (RBC) and hemoglobin (Hgb) production which can be a massive support in anemia or risk for anemia.
4. Because of the powerful ways bone broth aids in digestion, it can actually improve digestion of gluten and casein while producing a calming effect. This isn’t a substitute for GF/CF diets when needed, but can sure help to decrease the ongoing threat of cross-contamination.
5. Bone broth is a legitimate calcium supplement! If you are on a dairy-free diet and wonder if your child is getting enough calcium, bone broth can be a major help. Additionally, it already comes with the magnesium needed to assimilate calcium well. And, believe it or not, when used with grass-fed butter or ghee, Vitamin D and K2 (also necessary for good bone development) are present.

I could literally go one for days about more benefits of bone broth, but above are a few that will hopefully convince you it’s worth trying!

Below are links to recipes. My suggestion is don’t overthink the details. You really can’t mess this up! Bone broth is an amazing food that comes right out of your kitchen!

More resources regarding bone broth:

Dr. Josh Axe – The Healing Power of Bone Broth for Digestion, Arthritis, and Cellulite

Weston A Price – Why Broth is Beautiful

Dr. Allison Siebecker – Traditional Bone Broth in Modern Health & Disease

Complete list of conditions bone broth benefits

Links to recipes/guides to making bone broth:

Complete guide to making, using and storing broth

Quick broth-making basics

Bone Broth 101