Traditional Bone Broth May Hold the Key to Joint Problems
Bone broth has a rich 2,500-year history, starting with early Chinese medicine. Perhaps more so than today, civilizations used the entire animal, frequently boiling leftover bones and consuming the broth.
Bone broth is far from a food from the past. This ancient food has many benefits, and practitioners of integrative medicine know this all too well.
Why Bone Broth is So Healthy
Bone broth contains the bones of butchered animals, sometimes including the meat. You boil the bones in water, perhaps adding tomatoes or vinegar to extract more of the bones’ nutrients. Unlike stock, bone broth simmers for a more extended period, up to 24 hours, allowing enough time for the nutrients to seep into the water during cooking.
Research reveals that bone broth contains chondroitin, glucosamine, collagen, glycine, proline, and glutamine, building blocks of ligament and joint health. In addition, bone broth contains minerals like calcium and magnesium, essential for strengthening bones.
The presence of these nutrients may explain why populations throughout history who consumed nutrient-dense bone broth tended to experience lower rates of debilitating joint diseases. Today, some patients experiencing back pain use a combination of bone broth and natural pain treatments instead of resorting to spinal fusion.
Managing Your Pain Naturally
If the thought of consuming an animal bone seems unappealing, think again. Bone broth is quite delicious and can serve as the base for just about any soup. Perhaps the best thing about bone broth is that it’s incredibly simple to make. Just simmer bones in a pot for 12 to 48 hours. Add your favorite spices and vegetables in the last few hours of cooking for additional flavor.
If you’re experiencing joint pain, it’s important to identify the cause as soon as possible. If you’re worried about needing an invasive procedure to treat your pain, talk to a holistic provider at Blatman Health and Wellness Center. They can work to understand the nature of your pain and recommend more natural remedies with virtually no side effects. A holistic doctor in our Cincinnati office can recommend platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to promote ligament regeneration, which may reduce pain and stop the degeneration before it’s too late.
