The immune system, muscle function, and gastrointestinal health can all be significantly improved with the help of a variety of nutritional supplements. These benefits are typically realized when a variety of supplements are taken together. On the other hand, bone broth protein powder is a convenient all-in-one supplement that provides a diverse array of advantages in a single powder. At Bone Broth, we offer a diverse selection of uses and advantages for bone broth.
In particular, the protein found in bone broth comes in the form of a powder that can help enhance skin health, strengthen the immune system, promote good digestion, and even assist in the maintenance of healthy joints. This dietary supplement has been available for some time, but only recently has it gained popularity among those who are concerned about their health. Protein derived from bone broth is an excellent source of many important elements, including potassium, calcium, hyaluronic acid, magnesium, chondroitin, and glucosamine. People who have trouble digesting various other forms of protein supplements frequently turn to this one as their go-to option. Because it does not include any gluten, soy, or dairy, bone protein is considered to be compliant with the paleo diet.
What is Bone Broth Protein?
Dehydrated bone broth liquid, often known as bone broth soup, is what makes up bone broth protein. After that, the liquid is dehydrated, and the result is a powder that is both very nutritive and simple to use. A highly concentrated and powdered version of bone broth is referred to as bone broth protein.
The cartilage, marrow, tissue, and bones from a variety of animals are what go into making bone broth. There are a variety of different bone broths that can be used to make broth protein, including beef bone broth, pork bone broth, chicken bone broth, and even fish bone broth. The bulk of chicken or beef tissue and bones from grass-fed cows are used in the production of commercial bone broth protein powders. Bone broth protein powders are also commonly created from chicken tissue and bones. Egg, soy, and whey proteins are not present in any form of the protein that comes from bone broth.
High amounts of critical vitamins can be found in the connective tissue, bone marrow, and bones of animals. Protein extracted from bone broth is not only high in beneficial nutrients but also contains a high concentration of collagen, which can only be found in the tissues themselves. There are significant quantities of collagen-specific amino acids in animal bones and tissues, such as glycine and proline. These levels of concentration are comparable to those found in human skeletal muscles.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the popularity of bone broth, and as a result, thousands of people have become aware of the numerous health benefits associated with drinking it. But what if drinking bone broth is actually harmful to your health? To our great fortune, the positive aspects significantly outweigh any potential negative aspects.
However, contrary to the widespread perception, there is one drawback to this.
I recently gave a talk about Asian bone broths at the annual conference of the Nutritional Therapy Association, which took place in Portland, Oregon. At the beginning of the talk, I discussed a health problem that is not widely known. Due to the fact that this is something that I’ve only recently come to grasp on my own, I felt it was important for my colleagues Nutritional Therapy Practitioners (NTPs) to be aware of it.
The minerals, as one might expect, are derived from the bones. The animal parts that are most abundant in connective tissue are where the collagen is found, and they include the feet, necks, backs, heads, wings, tails, and even the organs themselves. For precisely this purpose, many tribes have historically included all parts of the animal in their bone broth preparations.
There is a range of inflammatory conditions that can be helped by taking expensive collagen-derived supplements. However, many people do not realize that a straightforward homemade bone broth contains all of the same nutrients at a fraction of the cost. In addition, these nutrients are present in a bone broth in its unaltered and natural state.
When you cook the bones and other animal parts for a longer period of time, the broth will grow richer in minerals and collagen.
After around four weeks of drinking bone broth on a daily basis, the majority of people see a difference in how they feel. On the other hand, for approximately one percent of the population, consuming bone broth can make them feel even worse. Continue reading if you want to learn more.
People who consume bone broth and then experience a worsening of their symptoms may exhibit the following symptoms:
- dry mouth, sneezing, or a runny nose
- headaches
- swelling in your hands or feet
- skin flushing or itching
- increased heart rate
- hot flashes or increased sweating
- digestive upset
- muscle, joint, or back pain
These symptoms are typically brought on by either a reaction to the glutamine content of bone broth (known as glutamic acid sensitivity) or the histamine concentration of bone broth (known as a histamine intolerance). They are a warning sign that your body has an excessive amount of either one of these drugs or both of them. We believe that there is one cause, in particular, that may boost the level of glutamic acid that is produced by your body, and that culprit is MSG. We shall discuss MSG later on in this article.
The fact that you are having negative reactions to drinking bone broth does not mean that it is not a good option for you; rather, it suggests that you should evaluate the things you eat more carefully and progressively cut back on your intake of foods that are high in glutamic acid and histamines.
In the following, we will break down these two difficulties, namely glutamic acid, and histamines, and offer measures to solve each of them individually.
Precautions & Warnings
Excess Glutamate
The conversion of glutamine into GABA is one of the many functions that glutamine performs in the body. These two neurotransmitters are necessary for maintaining stable mental health as well as a chemical equilibrium in the brain. GABA has a calming effect, while glutamate has a stimulating effect. If this delicate balance is upset for any reason, it may result in a number of undesirable consequences. The majority of the time, an imbalance is caused by an excessive amount of glutamine in the brain.
Although the protein found in bone broth does contain naturally occurring glutamate, the glutamate that is consumed can also come from other supplements or foods in the diet. Synthetic glutamates, the most common of which is monosodium glutamate (MSG), can be found in a wide variety of packaged foods and beverages. Overstimulated nerve cells are the result of consuming large quantities of either naturally occurring or artificially produced glutamate. Numerous additional processed food products, such as hydrolyzed protein, yeast extract, and various other synthetic flavonoids, also contain synthetic glutamate in addition to synthetic glutamate. Bone Broth offers a wide variety of health benefits that are among the greatest bone broth advantages in Melbourne.
Added Lead
There is a potential for lead contamination in several varieties of bone broth. The amount of lead is significantly lower than what the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States considers to be an acceptable limit. Nevertheless, it is essential to determine your daily intake in order to stay within the acceptable ranges. The final lead contents are determined by a number of different factors, including the type of broth, the brand, and the location where the animals were grown.
Glutamic Acid Sensitivity
One of the essential amino acids, glutamic acid can be found in both animal and plant-based sources of protein. Glutamic acid is also produced by the body. Glutamate is the most prevalent type found inside a living organism. This amino acid is of the utmost significance and serves as a chemical messenger, also known as a neurotransmitter. It is this chemical messenger’s job to excite our cells by conveying growth, memory, and learning instructions to the brain. It is helpful to think about glutamate as a stimulant since this helps us understand why an excess of it generates symptoms such as an elevated heart rate, flushing, and a feeling of being wired while simultaneously being exhausted.
The majority of the glutamate that we consume is attached to a protein, such as chicken, that is both simple to digest and slowly absorbed by the body. However, certain meals have free glutamate, which means that it is not attached to any particular protein and can be quickly absorbed into the bloodstream.
The following are examples of foods that contain natural free glutamate:
- Bone broth
- Wheat gluten
- Ripe tomatoes
- Cured meats: bacon, ham
- Matured cheeses: Parmesan, Roquefort
- Fish sauce, soy sauce, soy protein
- Man-made MSG
- Mushrooms
- Broccoli
- Peas
- Meat cooked over moist heat for long periods of time
- Walnuts
- Grape juice (wine)
- Malted barley (used to make beer)
- Dairy casein (milk protein)
Take note that all forms of MSG are produced by humans, and this is the source of many of the issues. The other foods on the list can be found in their natural state in the environment. The majority of people who consume these foods in modest amounts will not experience any adverse health effects. However, in the modern world, man-made MSG has the potential to tip the scales in either direction. Studies have shown that monosodium glutamate (MSG) can cause symptoms ranging from headaches and fatigue to more sophisticated issues such as disturbance of hormone balance. The evidence on the possible long-term consequences of MSG is divided.
If a person consumes a diet that is high in MSG and, as a result, has a higher concentration of free glutamate in their body, it may be challenging for them to tolerate the naturally occurring forms of free glutamate that are present in other foods due to the fact that their system is already at capacity.
You may be mistaken if you believe that you do not consume any MSG. On food labels, this ingredient is often described under a different name, such as “natural flavoring,” “yeast extract,” “autolyzed yeast extract,” “disodium guanylate,” “disodium inosinate,” “caseinate,” “textured protein,” or “hydrolyzed pea protein.”
In order to determine whether or not you have a sensitivity to glutamic acid, consider the following:
- During the course of the next week, pay close attention to the foods that you consume and make a note of whether or not any of them include MSG or any of the other compounds listed above. Take careful note of any signs that worsen after consuming meals that contain monosodium glutamate (MSG).
- You should also limit your consumption of foods that are high in free glutamic acid. Make a note of any problems that may improve after consuming these meals, as well as any that worsen.
- MSG Sensitivity information can be found in further detail on the website Healthpedia.org.
- Have a discussion with your healthcare practitioner about the symptoms you’re experiencing, and ask them to check your levels of vitamin B6. Sensitivity to MSG has been linked to low levels of B6.
Suggestions to cut down on the quantity of glutamate that is free in your diet:
- Check the labels of all packaged foods, especially those that are labeled as healthy foods, to see if they include monosodium glutamate or any of the other components listed above.
- Inquire with the waitstaff at the restaurant about the presence of MSG in the dishes that are offered.
- Reduce your consumption of the foods on the list that naturally contain free glutamate, particularly cured meats, fish sauce, soy sauce, and soy protein (veggie burgers), as well as beer and wine.
- Have a discussion with your healthcare practitioner about the symptoms you’re experiencing, and ask them to check your levels of vitamin B6. MSG sensitivity has been linked to low levels of vitamin B6.
Histamine Intolerance
Histamine: what exactly is it? Histamine is a neurotransmitter, which means that it is a chemical that your body makes, and it plays an important role in maintaining the health of your immune, digestive, and brain systems. It assists to alert your body to compounds that your immune system views as a threat, which causes an inflammatory reaction that initiates operations to get those substances out of your body. These processes include sneezing, a runny nose, stomach problems, and itchy.
Histamine is a necessary neurotransmitter that is naturally produced by the body. It is beneficial to the nervous system, immune system, and digestive system, helping to keep them in proper operating order. Additionally, it serves as one of the primary lines of defense against potentially hazardous compounds. When the body comes into contact with a chemical that it perceives to be a threat, it initiates an inflammatory response during an allergic reaction, such as itching or congestion. This causes the symptoms of an allergic reaction. It is also possible for it to produce stomachaches and hives. The majority of the time, histamine is beneficial; however, if there is an excessive amount in the body, it can occasionally trigger a reaction.
Histamine is generally considered to be beneficial; yet, as the old saying goes, “you can never have too much of a good thing.” Enzymes such as DAO (Diamine Oxidase) in the intestine are generally able to quickly and efficiently break down any excess histamine that is present in the body. On the other hand, if histamines continue to build up in your system, you can have symptoms similar to those described earlier.
Inflammation in the gut prevents a substance called DAO from breaking down histamines, which can lead to your immune system going into overdrive. On the other hand, if the inflammation is brought under control, the histamine symptoms will typically vanish.
Since bone broth is one of the nutrients that help maintain gut health and one of the meals that contain histamine, this may seem like an impossible situation to resolve.
If you remove from your diet the other foods that contain histamine, you will lower the overall histamine load in your body. As a result, you may be able to tolerate small quantities of bone broth, which is beneficial to the health of your digestive tract and may enable you to consume more of it.
The following guidelines can assist you in determining whether or not you have an intolerance to histamine:
- Create a list of everything you put in your mouth over the course of the next five days.
- What percentage of these foods are histamine-containing?
- How many have been in the refrigerator for longer than a day and a half?
- Discuss your symptoms with your primary care physician.
When bone broth is bad: Excess Glutamate
One of glutamine’s various functions in the body is the conversion to glutamate and GABA, two neurotransmitters that are absolutely necessary for maintaining proper mental health. On the chemistry of the brain, these have actions that are complementary yet contradictory.
Glutamate, for instance, has a stimulating effect, whereas GABA has a soothing effect. In a healthy person, the two are maintained in a delicate yet balanced ratio.
When there is an abnormally high concentration of glutamate in the brain, problems can arise, which can result in the following symptoms.
This can be made worse by eating a diet that is high in both artificial and glutamates that occur naturally in the body.
Monosodium glutamate, also known as MSG, is a manufactured version of the amino acid glutamate and is classified as an excitotoxin. Excitotoxins are known to excessively activate nerve cells, which can lead to a variety of health difficulties, including neurological conditions.
However, in addition to monosodium glutamate (MSG), yeast extract, hydrolyzed protein, natural flavors, and various other types of flavorings are all examples of manufactured glutamates that can be found in hundreds of processed foods. All of these compounds give processed foods a flavor similar to that of meat. They can be found in virtually all canned broths and soups sold in stores, including the majority of organic varieties.
Unfortunately, glutamates can also be found in their natural state in foods that are considered to be healthful. Although it is not as concentrated as it is in processed meals and does not pose an issue in a healthy person, people who are sensitive need to stay away from even healthy sources of the substance.
And sadly, this includes a bone broth that has been simmered for a very long time.
After I had finished giving my presentation, a person approached me and said, “You should know that I’ve never been able to figure out why I would have migraines after drinking bone broth. I believe that I am getting it now.”
As a Nutritional Therapist, I’ve observed this phenomenon in a great number of my patients.
Don’t Think Free Glutamine or Histamine Is Your Problem?
There is also the possibility that you are not having an allergic reaction to the bone broth. When they begin including bone broth in their diets, many people find that they need to make significant dietary adjustments. If you have suddenly cut off sugar from your diet or lowered the number of carbohydrates you consume, you may be suffering from a condition that is referred to as the “carb flu” or the “keto flu.” These symptoms, which are similar to those of the flu, typically continue for about a week, and consuming bone broth will help you get through this difficult time.
Examine whether or not the advice presented here can improve how you feel and give it a shot if it does. On the other hand, if you are still suffering symptoms, we strongly suggest that you speak with a nutritionist or another healthcare professional.
Is there a difference between stock and broth?
There are some distinctions that can be made between broth and stock. The term “broth” most commonly refers to a liquid that has been used to prepare the meat by simmering it. Up to two hours are spent allowing the meat (occasionally including the bones) and seasonings to stew in a pot together.
In order to make stock, bones are slowly cooked in water with a mirepoix consisting of onions, carrots, and celery for a period of time. In most cases, seasoning is not added to stock, and the cooking time ranges from 2 to 6 hours.
There are many claims being made about the health benefits of drinking bone broth, including relief from joint pain and inflammation in the gut as well as improved skin quality. These claims: do they have any basis in reality?
Many of these assertions are founded on the concept that ingesting a broth that is rich in collagen results in the direct delivery of collagen into the body; however, this concept is not supported by scientific evidence.
If you consume food that contains collagen, the collagen will be digested into amino acids (sometimes known as “broken apart”), and your body will then decide how best to put those amino acids to use. Because amino acids are the basic building block for protein, which can be transformed into enzymes, bodily tissue, anything for your immunity, or anything else that your body requires, it has the potential to become one of the other things that your body requires.
However, you cannot assume that taking something rich in collagen would result in its conversion back to collagen. This is why claims that bone broth, for example, can improve the health of the skin are not supported by evidence.
Is there any need for concern regarding the consumption of an excessive amount of bone broth?
It is never a good idea to consume an excessive amount of anything. The amount of sodium, the amount of fat that is still present in the broth, and whether or not it contains veggies are the three primary factors that determine the nutritional value of bone broth. A nutritious lunch would consist of bone broth that is rich in vegetables, contains little fat, and has a low sodium content.
How to Still Get the Benefits of Bone Broth?
Do not give up hope if you believe that your reaction to bone broth may be the result of an intolerance to histamine or sensitivity to glutamic acid. Follow the instructions below to include bone broth in your diet and start reaping the health advantages it has to offer.
The first thing you need to do is alter your diet for the next two to four weeks such that it contains significantly less or none of the sources of free glutamate and or histamines. Then:
- To get started, throughout the course of the first week, consume a quarter cup of bone broth every other day.
- If you don’t have any side effects, you can boost your dosage to a quarter cup on a daily basis for a week.
- After that, work up to a quarter cup each day for the next two weeks.
- After that, gradually increase the amount to a full cup each day, starting with a half cup and going up.
It is imperative that you do not let any of your leftover bone broth linger in the refrigerator while you are working through this process. Keep in mind that the histamine content of leftovers will grow as time passes. Any bone broth or other cooked food that is not consumed immediately must be frozen.
The most convenient method for freezing bone broth is to do it in ice cube trays and then just remove the amount that is required. About a quarter of a cup can be represented by two regular ice cubes. You may find a recipe on the Kettle & Fire blog that will teach you how to make Bone Broth Ice Cubes.
The nutritional benefits of bone broth can also be found in meat broth, which can be found in homemade chicken soup. Therefore, in order to lessen your sensitivity, you might want to consider diluting your bone broth with fresh chicken stock. This will allow you to continue to provide your body with the nutrients it needs while doing so.
Finally, what are some keys to making a healthful soup?
You won’t really like to eat it if it’s packed with things you don’t like, so use components that you enjoy, and be creative while keeping an eye on the nutritional value of what you’re making. You should try selecting choices with less sodium, particularly if you are using a broth or stock that has already been prepared, and you should use a lot of spices and herbs and salting “to taste” at the very end. Additionally, you shouldn’t be scared to use canned or frozen vegetables because many frozen vegetables have more vitamins than their “out of season” equivalents. When utilizing canned vegetables, check to see that they have a minimal or non-existent amount of salt.
The good news is that the answer is straightforward. It does not imply that bone broth in general is unhealthy for you to consume. It only means you need to cut down on the amount of time the broth simmers and eat bone broths that are prepared for a shorter amount of time. Even though it does not contain as many nutrients, it is still simple to digest and provides comfort to the digestive tract.
A simmering time of one to three hours is ideal for poultry. The ideal cooking time for beef, lamb, and bison is between two and four hours. And with fish, well, you shouldn’t ever cook the fish broth for more than an hour anyhow, so there’s never an issue with the fish broth!
In the long run, if you do this in conjunction with avoiding processed foods and implementing an effective gut-healing routine, you should eventually be able to tolerate bone broths that have been heated for a longer period of time (and other natural sources of glutamate). Learn more about the benefits of our best bone broth here in Melbourne.
The use of bone broth protein powder is an all-natural approach to improving one’s overall health that does not involve the consumption of synthetic additives or the creation of elaborate dosing schedules. Proteins for making bone broth are derived from the bones and soft tissues of various animals. Even people who cannot consume foods containing soy, gluten, or dairy can still achieve their daily protein requirements.
Using the powder could be an excellent strategy for ensuring that the metabolism of energy operates at its optimum level. Protein derived from bone broth may also be helpful in assisting with the treatment of leaky gut syndrome as well as other inflammatory intestinal illnesses. Because the collagen in the powder lubricates the joints, patients suffering from bone and joint conditions such as osteoarthritis may see a reduction in their pain as a result. It is true that you can manufacture bone broth yourself, but who wants to devote six to ten hours of their day to the process, not to mention the additional expense of the components, when you can pick up specifically prepared bone broth protein powder for a more reasonable price? Protein powder and other additives are not a sufficient replacement for the advice or treatment provided by medical professionals, despite the fact that they may be effective. Before incorporating a supplement into your diet, you should always talk to your primary care physician.