If you toss away the bones from your Sunday roast or give them to your drooling dog, you’ll be missing out on some serious nutrients. Packed full of amino acids and collagen, a simple bone broth will support your joints, skin, gut health and much more.
Perhaps you’re on the other side of the spectrum and have already experimented with your own bone broth recipes? If so, why not take it up a notch, combining the nutritional value of a bone broth with the added benefits of fasting?
Whether you seek increased energy, improved digestion or a clearer mind, a 72-hour bone broth fast ticks all the boxes.
Why fast?
When you think about enhanced energy and mental clarity, the last thing you probably think of is fasting. After all, your body and mind need fuel, right?
Well, yes… and no.
Not to be confused with dieting, fasting has been practiced for thousands of years. Being from Canada, I took a great interest in the First Nation communities growing up. That was when I first learned about fasting, something that was often referred to as a Vision Quest — or a “way of knowing.”
For thousands of years, the elders would take the young people out to fast. In turn, they would gain a sense of direction in life. It was also viewed as a way of healing.
Today, many people in our modern society are seeking health remedies from the past. Of those, fasting has become a popular option, and for good reason.
As stated by a team of researchers from the University of Southern California, fasting for three days is enough to regenerate one’s immune system for healthy living. In fact, they described their findings as a “major breakthrough” in relation to immune function. This is believed to have implications for chemotherapy tolerance while supporting those with autoimmune disorders.
The benefits of fasting are clear, so why add bone broth into the mix?
Reasons to start a 72-hour bone broth fast
Just like fasting, the consumption of bone broth dates back thousands of years. Unlike the boxes of beef stock that you pick up at your local supermarket, the minerals, amino acids, electrolytes and collagen extracted from bones is completely natural. It is also much easier for your body to absorb.
Related: Do You Drink Bone Broth? Read These Pros and Cons
Although anyone can benefit, there are select people that should seriously consider a bone broth fast. For example, those suffering from conditions such as IBS and Crohn’s, as well as those who live with achy joints, allergies or low energy levels.
If you have not yet tried a bone broth fast, here’s why you should.
1. Supports immunity
Bone broth and fasting have received attention among cancer patients. Since cancer cells are being formed on a daily basis, even in healthy people, it is important to support your immunity. While you fast, your body will begin to break down white blood cells, triggering stem cell regeneration.
2. Boosts digestion
The lining of your gastrointestinal tract requires collagen, and bone broth is one of the top natural sources. This is particularly why a bone broth fast is ideal for those suffering from leaky gut syndrome and other digestive conditions. The gelatin that forms once collagen breaks down is also known to assist with food allergies.
3. Supports healthy joints and tendons
Full of glucosamine, bone broth is believed to help maintain joint and cartilage health. Although there is some controversy surrounding the benefits of bone broth for joint pain, one thing is certain — it will reduce inflammation. For someone living with arthritis, for instance, this remedy could help reduce inflammatory markers. With the added benefits of fasting, your immune system will kick into high gear and regenerate.
4. Normalizes blood sugar levels
In the 1980s, we experienced an obesity and diabetes crisis. Those who were placed on a calorie and carb-restricted diet showcased a decline in not only diabetes but mortality and heart disease. Please note: if you do have diabetes, it is important that you speak with your doctor before you begin a fast.
5. Improving weight loss
Both fasting and the consumption of bone broth has been shown to support weight loss. During a fast, hormone levels are affected. For example, while insulin levels decrease, levels of human growth factor increase. This not only aids weight loss but supports your muscles as well.
In one study, published in Obesity Research, it was found that overweight and obese could benefit from an energy-restricted diet. It was found that consuming two servings of low energy-dense soup resulted in a 50 percent greater weight loss in comparison to high energy-dense snack food.
Although it’s clear that bone broth fasting supports a wide range of ailments, I would like to stress the fact that bone broth, fasting, or a combination of the two is not the “cure-all” answer. There isn’t one “magic” solution. Instead, this remedy is intended to support a more natural, balanced lifestyle.
Ready to make your own bone broth? Here’s a great recipe you can try.
Organic Chicken Bone Broth Recipe
Making your own bone broths at home is easy. Below, check out our recipe for simple chicken bone broth, prepared in the slow cooker (feel free to swap out the chicken for beef).
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pounds organic bone-in chicken pieces
- 6 cups of water
- 2 organic celery stalks, chopped
- 2 organic carrots, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 tbs dried basil
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1/2 tsp black peppercorns
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 sprigs of thyme
- 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
Instructions
Place all of the ingredients in a slow cooker for at least 12 hours and preferably up to 24 hours. Strain when cooled and store in glass jars in the refrigerator. Enjoy daily!
— Krista Hillis
