Bone Broth: The Benefits For Your Fertility

Fad foods and health trends come and go, but some stick around, and usually that’s because they actually work! Unlike that other trend I recently tackled – activated charcoal – bone broth is still making headlines this year as a miracle elixir that improves your skin, your gut health and more!

I’m here to give you my perspective, which is – it’s all true! I love bone broth. I drink it as often as possible and always keep my freezer stocked with fresh batches.

Bone broth and your fertility

One benefit we haven’t heard a whole lot about, though, is how bone broth works to balance your hormones, heal infertility issues, and boost your fertility. It sounds like a stretch, right? But really it’s not. There are several ways that bone broth works in your body to help your hormones be the best they can be.

1. Bone broth heals your gut health issues. Gut health is inextricably linked to your hormonal health. If you have a leaky gut then your body is not able to absorb the nutrients and minerals it needs to even produce hormones! It’s just that vital. Inflammation in your gut from food sensitivities and allergies can cause a massive increase in the stress hormone cortisol and this puts all your other hormones out of whack. If you have digestive issues of any kind – from bloating, to IBS, to constipation (did you know you ought to “go” first thing in the morning, no caffeine required?) – then you definitely have hormonal issues and you need bone broth today! It will fix you right up, I promise.
2. Bone broth is packed full of the amino acids proline and glycine. Amino acids are essential for hormone production and for the hormone detoxification process that allows your body to get rid of the excess, rather than having them stagnate and cause imbalance issues like estrogen dominance. Estrogen dominance leads to PCOS, endometriosis and all sorts of fertility blocking problems. A strong selection of amino acids on hand for your body produces the best internal ecosystem for optimum fertility.
3. Bone broth has the perfect mix of calcium and collagen. Calcium is necessary for hormone balancing and liver detoxifying – part of the reason bone broth also gives you great skin! Collagen repairs our cells and tissues, it holds us all together! As we biologically age, we lose collagen – as we can see first in sagging skin. Bone broth keeps us internally and externally youthful. Collagen is like our hormones’ little helper – when we have more of it, our hormones don’t have to work quite so hard.

How to make bone broth

I’m sure you’ve seen other articles on bone broth and maybe you’ve felt a little overwhelmed about the idea of trying to make your own. My favorite recipe, if you do feel like starting from scratch, is from Sally Fallon’s book “Nourishing Traditions.” I’ll share it here in case you’re feeling inspired in the kitchen!

My favorite is the chicken broth, but she also has recipes for beef and fish broth here (fish broth might be a good choice if you are normally vegetarian in your diet as there are no comparable vegetarian or vegan alternatives with the same benefits).

“1 whole free-range chicken or 2 to 3 pounds of bony chicken parts, such as necks, backs, breastbones and wings (important note: the chicken ought to be organic and free range)

gizzards from one chicken (optional)

2-4 chicken feet (optional)

4 quarts cold filtered water

2 tablespoons vinegar

1 large onion, coarsely chopped

2 carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped

3 celery stalks, coarsely chopped

1 bunch parsley

If you are using a whole chicken, cut off the wings and remove the neck, fat glands and the gizzards from the cavity. Cut chicken parts into several pieces. (If you are using a whole chicken, remove the neck and wings and cut them into several pieces.) Place chicken or chicken pieces in a large stainless steel pot with water, vinegar and all vegetables except parsley.

Let stand 30 minutes to 1 hour. Bring to a boil, and remove scum that rises to the top. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 6 to 8 hours. The longer you cook the stock, the richer and more flavorful it will be. About 10 minutes before finishing the stock, add parsley. This will impart additional mineral ions to the broth.

Remove whole chicken or pieces with a slotted spoon. If you are using a whole chicken, let cool and remove chicken meat from the carcass. Reserve for other uses. Strain the stock into a large bowl and reserve in your refrigerator until the fat rises to the top and congeals. Skim off this fat and reserve the stock in covered containers in your refrigerator or freezer.”

Quite the process, right? Yes, it’s really for the dedicated, this homemade broth-making, BUT there are some easier ways. Yay!

1. You can just make chicken soup from scratch and then take the bones out of the chicken – put them in a fresh pot of water along with apple cider vinegar and boil for several hours. I sometimes do this and it’s super simple.
2. Order your broth online or with your weekly/monthly CSA box! Au Bone Broth delivers bone broth to your door wherever you are. Most cities also have local bone broth dispensaries – here in Manhattan my favorites are the Oliver Weston Company and Bone Deep and Harmony.

How to use bone broth

There are many ways to use bone broth in your day to day diet, but here’s how I use my batches:

– I drink it straight in a mug, it tastes absolutely delicious this way with nothing fancy added

– I cook my stir fry or sauteed veggies with it instead of oil

– I mix it up with my grains

The great thing about bone broth, too, is that it is good for the whole family, and especially for children suffering with allergies or immunity issues. My baby girl gets bone broth along with me. I’m starting her early on eating and living in her Flo!

Always remember, that once you have the right information about how your body really works, you can start making health choices that finally start to work for you!  You can do this – the science of your body is on your side!

to your FLO,

Alisa

Good things come in threes:

I want to hear from you!

First, do you have fertility issues?

Second, are you already using bone broth?

Third, how would you describe your pregnancy experience?

Are You Trying to Conceive?

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