If you follow health trends you may have heard that collagen works wonders for skin. Collagen powders can now be found in the beauty sections of retailers such as Target. Bone broth is a fantastic homemade source of collagen that comes with added nutrients that work together to smooth skin and strengthen those gums and teeth. Overall, bone broth is a rich, bioavailable source of collagen which does a fantastic job of keeping your appearance youthful.
Why Consume Bone Broth for Collagen?
Collagen is produced by our bodies, but production starts to decline as we age. For women depletion accelerates after menopause. Other factors that deplete collagen are smoking, sugar consumption, and ultraviolet ray exposure, which may affect us all. Generally, it’s a good idea to address your skin issues from the inside out. And it all starts with good nutrition paired with bioavailable collagen, such as the kind found in bone broth.
The same can also be said of your teeth and gums. Gum disease not only causes inflammation, but collagen degradation. Eating collagen rich foods like bone broth is an excellent remedy, as suggested by Mark Burhenne, DDS. He considers bone broth one of the top 12 best foods to eat if you have gum disease.
Bone Broth was Instrumental in Reducing my Gum Recession
As we age, our teeth and gums can begin to experience a host of issues. These issues can often involve dental care costs we’d rather avoid. In my case, it was periodontal pockets. These pockets are a gum disease that can cause tooth loss. When I began drinking bone broth regularly, I wasn’t expecting my gum health to improve. Thing is, I’d had pockets for years and had grown accustomed to deep cleanings. After about several months they went away. My hygienist was amazed.
The renowned dentist and researcher, Dr. Weston A. Price once noted that the health of our teeth and gums are like a mirror to the health of our overall health. He recognized that nutrition is crucial for dental health. Price’s observations have been further explored in the work of Ramiel Nigel, a tooth decay researcher and author. In his book Cure Gum Disease Naturally, he notes the importance of healing gum disease nutritionally, which includes restoring the missing fat-soluble vitamins and minerals to our diet. He points out that a cartilage-rich bone broth will help with the crucial bone strengthening and nutrient absorption required to cure gum disease.
Bone Broth Delivers the Right Bioavailable Amino Acids
When it comes to reducing gum disease and sagging skin, nutrients absorption is key. Good digestion involves proper nutrient absorption. Bone broth can support your gut, facilitating nutrient absorption. Collagen gets broken down into amino acids, which are the building blocks for your body tissues. Which amino acids in bone broth are of the greatest benefit for your skin, gums, and teeth?
Arginine in Bone Broth for Oral Health
Bone broth contains gelatin which is rich in the amino acid known as arginine. Arginine is said to significantly improve oral health as it breaks down dental plaque.
Four Amino Acids in Bone Broth for Skin Beauty
- Arginine is also known to restore skin damage, offers protection from free radicals, increases skin hydration, and boosts collagen production in the skin.
- Methionine contains sulfur which improves skin tone and elasticity, as well as protecting the skin from harmful substances.
- Lysine is shown to build collagen in the skin, which then enhances your skin’s elasticity and strength.
- Proline is common in skin care products. When combined with lysine and Vitamin C, it forms healthy collagen and cartilage. It can then reduce sagging and wrinkling skin by spurring new-cell formation.
Consume Bone Broth and a Healthy Nutrient-Rich Diet
I cannot claim that Bone Broth does everything your skin, gums, and teeth need, but it’s an essential one to incorporate into a healthy diet. Bone broth supplies these critical amino acids through the gelatin collagen. To enhance your collagen production also make sure your diet contains zinc (some can be found in bone broth), vitamin C, and copper. So make sure you get your fruits and vegetables in your diet.
Please also remember, the quality of the bones you use in your broth is very important if you’re making your own. Bones from grass-fed animals, preferably with joints that include cartilage. These will produce the healthiest gelatinous collagen your body thrives on.
Adding Turmeric, Shitake Mushrooms and Black Garlic to Bone Broth
What you add to your bone broth can give it further benefits for your skin, teeth and gums. While it is fairly standard for most recipes to include onion, celery and carrot, there are advantages to adding other flavorful ingredients. In my recipe, known as Beth’s Bountiful Bone Broth, you’ll enjoy the flavors and beauty-enhancing qualities of turmeric, shiitake mushrooms and black garlic.
Turmeric benefits for skin, teeth and gums
Studies have shown that turmeric, whether consumed orally or applied to the skin, provide therapeutic benefit to those experiencing skin diseases. The early evidence suggests that turmeric has overall benefits on skin health. The combination of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory qualities of turmeric may bring out your skin’s natural glow.
A study in 2012 revealed that the curcumin in turmeric can prevent gum disease such as gingivitis. Turmeric helps reduce plaque, bacteria, and inflammation in the mouth. Of course, it’s unlikely that you’ll gargle or swish your bone broth around in your mouth, but with the delicious flavor you’ll likely savor every spoonful.
Shiitake mushroom benefits for skin, teeth and gums
Shiitake mushrooms contain selenium, which when combined with the vitamin A and vitamin E found in bone broth give it the potential to reduce acne. The zinc found in Shiitake mushrooms plays a role in maintaining skin integrity and healing. Zinc reduces free radicals, helping heal and rejuvenate skin.
In 2011 there was a study at the UCL Eastman Dental Institute in London that tested shiitake’s antimicrobial effects on gingivitis. Shiitake mushrooms were compared to something comparable to a gingivitis mouthwash. The results suggested that shiitake mushroom extract lowered the amount of pathogenic bacteria in far more than the mouthwash.
Black garlic benefits for skin, teeth and gums
Black garlic is an aged variation of garlic with increased antioxidants. One of its major components is allicin which has antibacterial properties that balance the oral flora, reduce the bad bacteria in the mouth that cause tooth decay and dental diseases, as this study from 2011 reveals.
Black garlic, like regular white garlic, has antibacterial properties from the allicin. Allicin is shown to kill the bacteria that causes acne. It also helps with skin inflammation and blood circulation. It also contains vitamins that can combat acne such as vitamin C, vitamin B-6, selenium, copper, and zinc.
Beth’s Bountiful Bone Broth and Spice Kit
If you’re interested in experiencing the benefits that bone broth can have on your skin, teeth and gums, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve sourced the best local ingredients to create the most flavorful bone broth on the market. You can purchase it pre-made or the spice kit which contains perfect amounts of turmeric, black garlic, and shiitake mushroom. You can taste and feel the difference.