Health fads can come and go, but bone broth is definitely not a passing trend. It is something I believe in and consider essential for overall well-being. It’s particularly beneficial for those dealing with autoimmune issues and can be especially helpful during cold and flu season.

Bone broth is not only nourishing but also can aid in thyroid regulation and improve digestion. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 2012 and recently received the best test results ever. Despite my concerns about my thyroid levels, they had actually improved, and I felt great without the need to increase my medication.

Since 2020, I’ve been regularly incorporating bone broth made from the bones of our own beef and chicken into my diet. What started as a digestion aid turned out to have surprising benefits for my thyroid as well.

I’ve noticed a significant difference in my energy levels and overall well-being when I incorporate bone broth into my diet. Store-bought broths haven’t had the same impact, and homemade bone broth is recommended for its health benefits.

But should you just run to the grocery store and pick up some broth? Quick answer, Nope. I’ve used store-bought broth for years for cooking and experienced nothing.

In one study, making your own homemade bone broth is best:

“most store-bought ‘stock and broth’ today aren’t ‘REAL.’ Instead, companies use lab-produced meat flavors in bouillon cubes, soup and sauce mixes. Also, manufacturers began using monosodium glutamate MSG, which is recognized as a meat flavor but in reality is a neurotoxin.”

https://blog.healthfoodemporium.com/tag/bone-broth

Here are seven ways bone broth can potentially benefit you, its health advantages, and how it may help with digestive, gut, and thyroid issues. Plus, I’ll share the bone broth recipe that has worked well for me.

(1) It’s highly nutritious

Specifically, bone marrow has nutrients such as iron, vitamins A and K, fatty acids, selenium, zinc, and manganese. Marrow from beef also contains CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), which is a naturally occurring fatty acid. It’s one of the good fats that can be found in small amounts in beef and dairy products.

(2) Helps reduce inflammation and heal the gut

Bones, marrow and connective tissue are all mostly made up of collagen, which turns into gelatin when cooked. This gelatin has a specific set of amino acids, and is specifically high in glycine. This glycine in bone broth may have some anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

(3) Helps protect the joints

The connective tissue provides glucosamine and chondroitin, which are popular dietary supplements for arthritis and joint pain.

(4) Helps fight osteoarthritis

The bone itself yields minerals like calcium and phosphorus, which are good for women and osteoarthritis. Sodium, magnesium, potassium, sulfur and silicon are also in there.

(5) Helps aid in sleep

When I was pregnant with my 3rd child, Isaac, I had terrible insomnia. I was desperate for sleep and I tried an over the counter sleep aid. Should have listened to my husband’s warnings. I felt drugged and was worse off in the morning, unfortunately. I don’t deal with insomnia at all now.

(6) Helps support weight loss

If you’re doing paleo or keto, bone broth is great for these types of diets! 

(7) Helps with healthy looking skin

Every woman wants healthy looking skin, me included. The collagen in bone broth may make your skin more elastic and may minimize lines and wrinkles. People have noticed their skin has more of a natural glow.

BONE BROTH RECIPE:

The recipe below has more to it than I usually make even. I use marrow or soup bones, neck bones, oxtail, or short ribs from our pastured beef and also bones from our chickens. You can use beef, chicken, pork, fish, and then add water, vinegar, some spices, and maybe a garlic clove or two.

The bones are what make it what it is. The veggies are great accessories, but they just add flavor and something extra to munch on. :-) So go ahead and make it without the veggies if you want a simpler version while still getting the nutritional value.

Ingredients:

Bone Broth

• Bones (Strandquist Family Farm’s beef soup bones, marrow bones, neck bones, short ribs, or oxtail) or chicken carcass.

• Add a couple of chicken feet to your bone broth for some extra nutrients, optional

• 2-3 Carrots (chopped) (or a bag of baby carrots), optional

• 2-3 Celery stalks (chopped), optional

• 1 Onion quartered, optional

• 2 Garlic cloves, optional

• Seasoning to Taste

• 1/2 to 1 Gallon Water or fill up a slow cooker or stock pot

• 1/4 c. Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar

Instructions:

Add everything to the crock pot (or stock pot or favorite cooking method). I then cooked on high heat for the first 1-4 hrs. to get the process moving. The longer you cook it, the better. I always cook it for at least 24 hours on 18-20 hrs. on low or if you want to get things going quicker, set it on high for a couple of hours. You can do 36-72 hours total if you’d like.

When it’s done, strain the solids and store broth in mason jars. You can refrigerate for up to 3-5 days or freeze it in freezer bags (or use your preferred method of freezing).

What are some ways you can use bone broth?

(1) You could drink it instead of your morning coffee (I love to drink it along with my morning coffee too);

(2) Instead of using water in your rice, replace it with broth;

(3) Use as a base for slower cooker meals or casseroles; or

(4) Re-heat leftovers in it.

And remember with all the bones, you get fall-off-the-bone meaty deliciousness to enjoy as well.

The results I’ve experienced can be possible for you too. It does take time for that to happen along with dedication, but it’s been so worth it. 

If you’d like to try making your own bone broth, grab some soup bones, oxtail, neck bones, or short ribs by clicking HERE.

Warmly,

Tessa