In a previous post, Gut Check: What You Need to Know About Liver and Gall Bladder Health, we discussed leaky gut syndrome, where permeability in our intestinal lining can lead to the leaking of harmful toxins into our blood stream. I want to help you understand the importance of leaky gut, and then give you the recipe I use myself for homemade bone broth. Many of you have asked me for this recipe and I’m excited to share it: It can work wonders for you as it has for my family.

Bone Broth and Leaky Gut

Brought on in a variety of ways, leaky gut should be a primary source of inquiry for anyone with serious, unresolved health issues. It occurs when the gut/intestinal lining, which was a once a healthy, impenetrable barrier, becomes inflamed and compromised to the point where small holes develop in the tissue through which undigested food proteins such as gluten and casein leak through and enter the blood stream. Regrettably, undigested food simply rots away in the gut and causes bacteria to grow if not eliminated properly through the bowels, producing parasites, viruses/molds/candida, mycotoxins and an unhealthy soup-like mixture of micro-organisms that accumulate in the gut. These unfriendly bacteria and microbes wreak havoc on the gut lining’s permeability, which allows these toxic invaders to enter the blood stream and circulate throughout the human body.

This is how auto-immune diseases start and this why, when dealing with any disease that affects our bodies, we need to heal and seal the gut before trying to detoxify our bodies or anything else. That’s why a healthy digestive system can lead to healthy immune function.

You see, leaky gut is an auto-immune disorder, where the immune system fails to keep the candida in-check. Many fail to realize that candida is a yeast or fungus that grows out of control. It’s an infection in the gut that can bore microscopic holes into the lining of our intestinal walls.

Candida accumulates in our bodies from eating large amounts of carbs and sugars. In my last post, I discussed the way heavy metals creep into our daily water supply and infiltrate our digestive system by crossing the protective barrier in our gut lining. What’s more, candida abounds wherever there is metal in the body. Why? Because candida absorbs 10x its weight in heavy metals, which fools the body into thinking it’s actually helping mop up the metal with the fungus in an attempt to keep metals from harming vital organs, like the heart and brain. The fungus winds up overtaking the good bacteria, which compromises our immune systems and leads to sickness and disease.

Leaky Gut and Brain Function and Emotional Health

Leaky gut can also compromise brain function and emotional health. Amino acids are the end products of protein digestion. They’re responsible for repairing tissue, including the lining of our guts. Amino acids are designed to heal leaky gut by plugging the leak and then mending and knitting the delicate tissues back together. It’s amazing, really. They regenerate cells until there are not more holes!

Another important role for amino acids involves traveling straight to our brains by way of neural pathways. This process is compromised by intestinal leakage, which inhibits the body’s ability to modulate/methylate amino acids into the neurotransmitters we need to maintain brain health. A healthy brain converts amino acids into two different types of neurotransmitters; namely, inhibitors, which will help us relax and digest, and excitatory ones, which help keep us motivated and energized. Without proper digestion, our bodies can’t convert neurotransmitters and we can become depressed and anxious as well as sick.

As many of my patients can attest, healing the gut takes time and patience—up to six months or longer—and the out-of-pocket expenditures can be costly.

Adding bone broth to our daily diet is a simple, inexpensive way to speed up the process of healing the gut. Bone broth is high in anti-inflammatory amino acids, which are more alkalizing and produce wonderful digestive results and health benefits. This balances the inflammatory amino acids found in the muscle of the meat (which tends to be more acidic). Amino acids can seal the leaks in our gut lining, preventing pathogens and undigested protein into our blood circulation.

What’s Inside Bone Broth

Arginine:

  • Improves the immune function & the circulatory function.
  • Repairs wounds both internally & externally it regenerates cells.
  • It assists the liver in filtering toxins during the detoxification process.
  • Helps men with increased fluids for sperm production & fertility.

Glycine: A neurotransmitter that helps in the relaxation process.

  • Helps prevent the breakdown of muscle proteins “Sarcopenia” seen in injuries, the elderly or excessive exercise.
  • Assists the liver in producing “Bile salts” for the breakdown of fats promoting gallbladder health.
  • Helps the liver produce more glutathione especially helpful in the chemical detoxification process of clearing heavy metals.

Proline:

  • Repairs leaky gut and helps with decreased inflammation
  • Assists the healing of joints as it supports the regeneration of cartilage.
  • Supports elasticity of the skin keeping it supple, smooth & wrinkle free.
  • Decreases cellulite

Glutamine:

  • Protects the lining of the intestines.
  • Improves muscle-building.
  • Increases metabolism.
  • Provides fuel for the cells of the small intestine (where nutrient absorption takes place).

Bone Supporting Components of Bone Broth

Collagen, Gelatin, Chondroitin & Glucosamine: The gelatin portion of the bone broth, which protects and heals the mucosal lining of the digestive track.

  • Allows for better absorption of nutrients (since it heals and seals the gut).
  • Keeps the bowels healthy and hydrated.
  • Amazing for skin beauty, reducing wrinkles and cellulite
  • Stimulates hair and nail health

Immune System

  • Strengthens the immune system, which starts with a healthy digestive system.
  • Helps the body fight infections by reducing the number of white blood cells that are prolific during a cold or flu, which is why chicken soup has been a common remedy with many cultures and mothers throughout the ages.

More On Bone, Tendon and Cartilage Health

  • Collagen portion of the broth reduces joint pain and inflammation
  • Supports the growth of new collagen and repairs damaged joints
  • Strengthens hair and nails and keeps them healthy
  • Chondroitin; Chondroitin sulfate is a substance often used in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Found naturally in the cartilage surrounding our joints, chondroitin sulfate is also available in dietary supplement form. When used to treat osteoarthritis, chondroitin sulfate is often taken in combination with other natural remedies (such as glucosamine).
  • Glucosamine: From the degradation of the cartilage and tendons in the bones used for the broth, it is the rubbery tissue that cushions bones at your joints. But as you get older, your levels of this compound begin to drop, which leads to the gradual breakdown of the joint. There is evidence that glucosamine sulfate supplements help counteract this effect. It has also been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, allergies, chronic venous insufficiency, sports injuries, temporomandibular joint problems (TMJ), and long-term low back pain.

Essential Minerals and Trace Minerals

From the process of breaking down bone materials: Calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, silicon & sulfur (essential in bone building & repair). The body needs phosphorus to build and repair bones and teeth, help nerves function, and make muscles contract. Most (about 85%) of the phosphorus contained in phosphate is found in bones. The rest of it is stored in tissues throughout the body.

The kidneys help control the amount of phosphate in the blood. Extra phosphate is filtered by the kidneys and passes out of the body in the urine. Vitamin D is needed for your body to take in phosphate and absorb calcium. The relation between calcium and phosphate may be disrupted by some diseases or infections.

Vitamin K

  • Vitamin K is used to prevent and treat weak bones (osteoporosis) and relieve itching that often accompanies a liver disease called biliary cirrhosis.
  • Vitamin K2 (menaquinone) is taken by mouth to treat osteoporosis and bone loss caused by steroids, as well as to lower total cholesterol in people on dialysis. Parsley, chard, and kale are also a necessary part of our diets, increasing the overall benefits of vitamin D, glucosamine, and calcium. Watercress and spinach contain the highest levels of vitamin K. Mustard, turnip, beet, and collard greens contain significant amounts as well.
  • Vitamin K also helps the skin with spider veins, bruises, scars, stretch marks, and burns. After surgery, vitamin K is used to speed up skin healing and reduce bruising and swelling.

Silicon

Silicon is known as a beautifying mineral and there are also many health benefits associated with it. It not only causes the strengthening of connective tissues and bones, but is also useful in taking care of nails, hair, and skin. The health benefits of silicon also play a vital role in the prevention of atherosclerosis, insomnia, skin disorders and tuberculosis.

Silicon is a vital trace mineral required by the body for strong and flexible joints, glowing skin and stronger bones.

Recipe for Homemade Bone Broth

First, it’s essential to use organic ingredients. Start with organic bones: Beef bones can be purchased in the freezer section of whole foods. Chicken bones (can use the carcass of a roasted chicken that you make for dinner).

In a large soup pot/or crock pot place 2-3 lbs. of bones; cover completely with water

Add ¼ cup of organic apple cider vinegar (this is to extract all of the minerals from the bones)

Add 3-5 cloves of garlic

1-large onion

4-5 organic carrots

5-stalks of organic celery

Pink salt (Pink Hawaiian algae) to taste

Let this simmer for approximately 24 hours if you are using chicken bones

24-36 hours if you are using beef or veal bones.

Then strain the broth, remove all bones & cooked vegetables;

Have mason jars available for storing the broth when it is finished cooking.

Pour broth into glass jars & let stand until cooled, place lids securely & put into the refrigerator.

The following day you will see a layer of fat on top of each jar, (do not remove the fat, until you are ready to use, it is a protective layer against bacteria)

The fat is an excellent source of fatty acids so when you re-heat the broth you may use some with each serving.