Bone Broth Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Beef Bone Broth Benefits + Recipe

The AHA! Team — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 08:24:36 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CN via Dr. Axe – What is bone broth good for? Bone broth benefits can include helping leaky gut, joint problems and even common skin concerns like wrinkles and cellulite. Making this homemade beef bone broth recipe is one of the best ways you can reap all of those benefits. Plus, making beef bone broth is a lot easier than you might think and is far healthier than store-bought versions. What Is Bone Broth Good for? Bone broths have been staples of traditional diets around the world for centuries. Not only are they both flavor- and nutrient-dense, they’re also easy to digest and able to boost internal healing thanks to key components like gelatin, which research shows can help support intestinal health and integrity. In addition to gelatin and collagen, the long simmering of the beef bones and ligaments also releases beneficial amino acids like proline, glycine and glutamine. These amino acids are key to metabolic processes, including the support of bone mineral density, muscle tissue creation and repair. In case you were wondering, the benefits of beef bone broth and chicken bone broth are very similar, so you really can’t go wrong choosing either one! What is the difference between bone broth and stock? They’re usually very similar or even exactly the same in terms of ingredients, and it’s more of the naming convention. That being said, bone broths are typically cooked significantly longer than a beef or chicken broth. Bone broth contains more protein, collagen, electrolytes, vitamins and minerals than a beef or chicken broth. Beef Bone Broth Recipes People are sometimes at a loss for the best way to consume bone broth on a daily basis. Do you just drink bone broth? You certainly can, but there are so many ways you can use bone broth. Whether you choose chicken or beef bone broth, the options are pretty endless. But wait, which is better: chicken bone broth or beef bone broth? That mainly comes down to personal taste preference. Choosing between the two can also be based on what goes better with a recipe. Some recipes like Vietnamese pho or beef bone vegetable soup are clearly best with a beef bone broth. For other dishes like Baked Chile Relleno Casserole or Slow Cooker Chicken Gumbo, chicken bone broth is the perfect addition. Here are some other mouthwatering ways to use beef bone broth: Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe Onion Soup Recipe Bone Broth-Braised Short Ribs Recipe with Garlic and Thyme Nutrition Facts If you use all organic ingredients, you’ll be making a delicious organic beef bone broth recipe. It’s especially important to opt for organic bones to avoid factory-farmed meats. If you’re really short on time, you can always purchase high-quality bone broth from your local health food store, or try a protein powder made from bone broth. The exact nutrition facts for beef bone broth will vary from batch to batch because it depends upon the exact ingredients you choose to use, how long you cook the broth for, how much fat you skim off the top, etc. In general, homemade beef broth is low in calories and fat, contains a notable amount of protein and zero grams of sugar and carbs. The amount of sodium depends upon how much sea salt you use. Is this a beef bone marrow broth recipe? Yes, and we recommend opting for beef bones with marrow, which are naturally rich in collagen. To maximize beef bone broth nutrition and quality, the best bones for bone broth come from organically-raised and — in the case of beef — grass-fed animals. How to Make Beef Bone Broth Making beef bone broth is just as easy as making our chicken bone broth recipe. All you have to do is combine all of the ingredients in a slow cooker and let it simmer for at least 36 hours (that might require you to run three cycles on your slow cooker unless you have one that allows you to set it for 36 hours). This is truly a pretty effortless beef bone broth slow cooker recipe. Otherwise, you can also cook on the stovetop in a large stock pot. (See below.) Why so much more time than a chicken bone broth? It’s because the beneficial components of beef bones take longer to release. First, preheat the oven to 450 degrees to roast the bones and vegetables later. While the oven heats up, it’s a good idea to blanch the beef bones. Ideally, as said above, these bones are from organic, grass-fed, free-range beef cattle. Blanching the bones will help create a clearer broth without any impurities. Simply place the bones in a large stockpot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat and then simmer for 20 minutes. Drain and rinse the bones with cold water. Place bones and vegetables in a roasting pan, without piling them on top of each other (you may need two pans). Roast for 30 minutes before turning over bones and veggies, then roast for 20 minutes more. Place the beef bones and other ingredients in a 10-quart capacity slow cooker. Add cold water so all the contents are submerged by about an inch. For the stovetop version, bring to a boil over high heat while covered, then reduce heat and simmer gently, with lid slightly ajar. For the slow cooker version, simply turn it on and set to 12 hours (be ready for two more cycles, so set your timer on your watch or in house). If you’re doing on your stovetop, do not keep in on the flame overnight. Instead, remove from stovetop in the evening, allow it to cool and refrigerate overnight. Repeat the process the next day. For either version, skim the fat that rises to the surface occasionally. Simmer for 12 to 24 hours. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Discard all solids. Strain the remainder through a colander. After straining, let stock cool to room temperature (add some ice cubes to quicken this process if you want), cover and chill. Place in the refrigerator and allow to completely cool. A few hours later, you can use a spoon or fork to remove the top layer of fat. Use within a week. Otherwise, you can freeze your homemade beef bone broth for up to three months. Precautions If you have a histamine sensitivity, you should avoid bone broth. While it can reduce gut inflammation, bone broth also is rich in the amino acid glycine. And unfortunately, glycine can be converted to oxalates and glutamate in the body. Beef Bone Broth Recipe Author: Dr. Josh Axe Total Time: 13 hours 15 minutes Yield: 20 cups (approximately) Diet: Gluten Free Making this homemade recipe is one of the best ways you can reap all of the awesome beef bone broth benefits. Plus, making beef bone broth is a lot easier than you might think and is far healthier than store-bought versions. Ingredients ▢5 pounds beef bones with marrow and bones with meat on them (oxtail, short ribs, knucklebones) — ideally from grass-fed, free-range cattle ▢4 carrots, chopped ▢4 celery stalks, chopped ▢2 medium onions, peel on, sliced in half lengthwise and quartered ▢4 garlic cloves, peel on and smashed ▢½ teaspoon sea salt ▢1 teaspoon whole peppercorns ▢2 bay leaves ▢3 sprigs fresh thyme ▢6 sprigs parsley ▢¼ cup apple cider vinegar Instructions Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Blanch the bones by placing them in a large stockpot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat and then simmer for 20 minutes. Drain and rinse the bones with cold water. Place bones and vegetables in a roasting pan, without piling them on top of each other (you may need two pans). Roast for 30 minutes before turning over bones and veggies, then roast for 20 minutes more. Place the blanched beef bones and other ingredients in a 10-quart capacity slow cooker. Add in cold water so all the contents are submerged by about an inch. Turn on the slow cooker and prepare to cook for at least 12 hours at the low setting. For 24 hours, you may need to re-run the cycle twice or three times, depending on the slow cooker. If cooking on a stovetop, bring the large pot to a boil over high heat with lid on; reduce and simmer gently with lid slightly ajar but on. In slow cooker or pot, skim the fat that rises to the surface occasionally. Simmer for 12 to 24 hours. If using stovetop, cool at evening and refrigerate overnight. Put back on the stovetop the next morning. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. (Use any of the meat for soups or sandwiches, or just eat by itself.) Discard solids and strain remainder in a bowl through a colander. Let stock cool to room temperature, cover and chill. Refrigerate for a few hours before removing the top layer of fat with a spoon or fork. Consume within a week. Or freeze in containers for up to 3 months. Prep Time: 15 min Cook Time: 13 hours Category: Soups Method: Stovetop, Slow Cooker Cuisine: American Nutrition Serving Size: 1.5 cups (355 g) Calories: 71 Sugar: 0.9 g Sodium: 124 mg (5% DV) Fat: 3 g Saturated Fat: 0 g Unsaturated Fat: 3 g Trans Fat: 0 g Carbohydrates: 1 g Fiber: 0 g Protein: 10 g Cholesterol: 21.3 mg To read the original article click here.

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Simple Homemade Greek Avgolemono Soup Recipe

AHA Publisher — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 07:00:44 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CN – You might already know that I’m a huge fan of Greek food. It’s one of the cuisines that naturally falls into the Mediterranean diet, which is chock-full of fruits, veggies and healthy grains, along with simple dishes that are full of flavor. This avgolemono soup recipe is one of my favorite classic Greek soups. What Is Avgolemono? (Key Ingredients) Avgolemono means “egg lemon,” and it’s this combination that gives the Greek soup its rich, velvety texture. Rice or orzo pasta is usually cooked right in the soup, which can range from a broth-like consistency to one that’s closer to a hearty stew. While poached chicken is often added to the soup, I’ve kept this one meat-free and vegetarian-friendly. Of course, you can make chicken avgolemono soup by simply adding chicken, but as I mentioned, I opted to make this avgolemono soup vegetarian. The beauty of an authentic Greek avgolemono soup recipe is that it requires so few ingredients but packs a ton of taste. What kind of rice is used in avgolemono? You’ll see many avgolemono soup with orzo versions, but in my simple avgolemono soup, instead of white rice, which is devoid of nutrients, I opted for sprouted brown rice. While brown rice is healthier than its white counterpart, sprouted is the way to go. Sprouted grains are easier for the body to digest, breaks down gluten and allows for greater nutrient absorption. This soup also gets a protein boost from the addition of protein powder made from bone broth. You get all the benefits of bone broth, including collagen and gelatin, all of which support a healthy gut, in an easy-to-use form. No need to spend 24 hours waiting for broth to cook on the stove! Finally, the stars of this soup are the egg and lemon. Eggs, of source, add additional protein and collagen, combining for a heart-healthy, joint-supporting powerhouse with the bone broth, while the lemon adds both flavor and burst of a vitamin C to boost immunity. The trick here is to continuously whisk the eggs in the soup. Instead of cooking and turning into a scramble-y mess, you get that lovely, silky texture that sets this lemon soup apart. How to Make Avgolemono Soup Bring the rice and protein powder mixture to a boil. Stir until the ingredients marry. Then reduce heat, and simmer for 35–40 minutes, covered. Whisk together the eggs and lemon juice gently, until they’re well-combined. Pour the egg and lemon mix into the pot, stirring continuously to prevent curdling. Top with the brown rice crisps and green onions, and season with salt and pepper to taste for this delicious avgolemono soup. Simple Homemade Greek Avgolemono Soup Recipe DESCRIPTION Mediterranean diet soups are full of fruits, veggies and flavor. This Avgolemono Soup Recipe is one of my favorite classic Greek soups. INGREDIENTS 4–5 cups water 1 scoop powder made from bone broth (unflavored) ½ cup sprouted brown rice 4 eggs + 2 egg yolks juice of 1 lemon 1 tablespoon unsalted butter ½ tablespoon paprika salt and pepper to taste Toppings: organic brown rice crisps chopped green onions INSTRUCTIONS Bring rice and broth mixture to a boil, stir until ingredients marry and reduce heat and simmer for 35–40 minutes, covered. Whisk eggs and lemon juice gently until well-combined. Pour into the pot, stirring continuously to prevent curdling. Top with brown rice crisps and green onions, and season with salt and pepper to taste. To read the original article click here.

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7 Benefits of a Bone Broth Fast: Stronger Gut, Skin + More

AHA Publisher — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 07:00:44 +0000

Jillian Levy, CHHC via Dr. Axe – By now you might be familiar with bone broth and all this time-honored, traditional food has to offer — collagen, amino acids and numerous trace minerals, just for starters. Maybe you’re now looking to take things to the next level and try a bone broth fast, but you aren’t quite sure how to safely go about this. As you’ll learn, bone broth is one of the most nutrient-dense, healing foods for the digestive system and therefore a great way to kick off a healthier way of eating and to help resolve symptoms related to poor digestion and other concerns. What Is a Bone Broth Fast? A bone broth fast involves drinking bone broth several times per day but not eating much other solid food. Although it’s been consumed around the world in one form or another for thousands of years, bone broth is made from animal parts that in modern times are normally discarded. These include bones and marrow, skin and feet, tendons and ligaments — all of which aren’t edible on their own but make nutrient-packed additions to slow-simmering stock. Bone broth is boiled slowly over several days — normally with veggies, an acid and fresh herbs in addition to animal parts — allowing all of the ingredients to release their stored nutrients. There are several kinds that are most popular, including chicken bone broth and beef bone broth. Fasts are not for everyone, and sometimes certain kinds can pose risks since they involve consuming little nutrients due to greatly reducing calorie intake. However, if you make a good candidate, consuming bone broth is ideal for a fast because it’s chock-full of both macronutrients and micronutrients. Within fish, chicken and beef bone broth, you’ll find amino acids (which form proteins) like glycine, arginine and proline; vitamins and minerals; collagen; electrolytes; and even antioxidants like glucosamine. One of the things that makes a bone broth fast stand apart from other types of fasts is that it’s an ideal way to obtain more collagen, a type of protein needed to create healthy tissue found throughout the body. Collagen is found inside the lining of the digestive tract, within bones in bone marrow, in skin, and in the tissues that form joints, tendons, ligaments and cartilage. Within collagen are other special nutrients, including amino acids like proline and glycine, plus gelatin — each of which has its own unique functions. Benefits Why is bone broth good for fasting? The benefits of consuming bone broth while fasting include: stronger immunity against common illnesses or allergies reduced symptoms related to digestive disorders like leaky gut syndrome, IBS or IBD generally enhanced digestion with fewer cases of bloating, diarrhea, gas, acid reflux and constipation healthier joints, ligaments and tendons more youthful-looking skin thanks to collagen stronger bones higher intake of importance minerals like calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium and more Before we dive in to the advantages of consuming bone broth, let’s first talk about the many benefits of fasting. Fasting, when done right and by the right people, has been shown to promote better health by: improving weight loss and helping with weight maintenance reducing fasting insulin levels and normalizing blood sugar activity lowering cholesterol promoting the secretion of human growth hormone, which is important for burning fat having positive effects on body mass and health markers in professional athletes reducing risk for diseases like diabetes, cancer and heart complications normalizing appetite by controlling hunger hormones like ghrelin lowering triglyceride levels even slowing down the aging process and increasing someone’s life span Here’s more about how a bone broth fast can benefit you: 1. Improves Digestive Functions Bone broth is a natural source of collagen, a type of protein that’s needed to form tissue that makes up the lining of the GI tract. Collagen protects and soothes the lining of the digestive tract and can aid in healing leaky gut syndrome, IBS symptoms and acid reflux. It’s been shown that patients with IBD produce less collagen in their digestive systems. Increased intakes are capable of helping strengthen and normalize mucus membranes in the GI lining, closing tiny junctures and stopping indigested food particles and chemicals from leaking out of the gut into the bloodstream. When collagen breaks down, gelatin is formed, which is known to help people dealing with food allergies and sensitivities to foods, such as cows’ milk and gluten. Gelatin in bone broths contains “conditional” amino acids called arginine, glycine, glutamine and proline, which have certain anti-aging effects and promote probiotic balance and growth. 2. Makes Your Skin Glow Collagen helps form tissues found in skin that give it strength, smoothness, elasticity and youthful appearance. In fact, studies have found that higher intakes of collagen are associated with improvements in skin barrier functions, increased hydration and reductions in signs of aging, including wrinkles, fine lines and sagging. Although you likely won’t notice any improvements within just a few short days, higher collagen intake is also known to decrease the appearance of cellulite. Cellulite develops due to lack of connective tissue, which is made from collagen. 3. Supplies Important Minerals Some fasts fail to provide important trace minerals that we need for ongoing energy, immunity, digestion and more. Because bone broth is made from animal bones and parts that are concentrated sources of numerous minerals, it provides minerals and electrolytes, including calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium, potassium, sulfate and fluoride. This can help prevent an electrolyte imbalance, dehydration that can occur during a fast, fatigue, brain fog, moodiness, and muscle spasms or weakness. 4. Helps Prevent Muscle Wasting It’s possible during a fast to wind up losing some weight, which can really be due to muscle (and therefore strength) loss. Luckily during a bone broth fast, you still obtain amino acids, such as glycine and proline, that help prevent the breakdown of valuable protein tissue found in muscles. In fact, a bone broth fast might even help you with muscle recovery, reduce joint pain (since collagen is known to fight symptoms of arthritis) and even relax tense muscles naturally. Glycine is an important amino acid for actually building muscle strength, ushering nutrients into cells to be used for energy, controlling blood sugar levels and even synthesizing human growth hormone. Because glycine plays a role in the process of gluconeogenesis, which takes place in the liver, it can provide cells with an energy source even when little calories or carbohydrates are consumed. This, in turn, can help prevent sarcopenia, muscle wasting as we age. 5. Helps Detoxify the Liver and Digestive System Consuming bone broth is an effective way to boost your supply of the antioxidant glutathione, one of the body’s most powerful detoxifying agents. Glycine is a precursor needed for the production of glutathione, which helps the liver flush out excess chemicals, stored hormones and other waste. Other minerals, acids and electrolytes can also boost detoxification processes, including acetic acid (found in apple cider vinegar, which is often added to bone broth recipes), magnesium and sulfate. 6. Boosts Immunity Bone broth fasts can increase beneficial bacteria living in the gut, and gut health is highly correlated with stronger immunity (not to mention many other aspects of health, like hormonal balance and weight regulation). Good bacteria in the gut (often called probiotics) can actually turn on certain genes that help regulate inflammation and turn down numerous types of unwanted symptoms. 7. Can Improve Sleep, Memory and Cognition The amino acids found in bone broth act like inhibitory neurotransmitters for the production of chemicals and hormones that help us sleep, think clearly, stay motivated, remember information and make decisions. Higher intake of glycine, for example, has been found to help people who can’t sleep get better rest, lower symptoms of anxiety, improve mental performance and even enhance memory. Bone broth is also a great way to obtain electrolytes, including potassium, magnesium and sodium, that sustain energy and assist in muscle, nerve, digestive and cognitive functions. Magnesium, for example, is known to help decrease headaches, restlessness, muscle spasms during sleep, muscle pains and digestive discomfort. How to Do It New to drinking bone broth and/or fasting? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the process: How long should you do a bone broth fast? Most people do this type of fasting for a period of three to four days, while consuming several quarts of bone broth daily and eliminating many problematic foods. Plan to fast for a period of three to four days. This amount of time is best for helping kill off harmful bacteria in the gut, repair the GI tract and repopulate the gut with probiotics. Longer than this might be tolerable for some, but it also raises the risk for more problems, fatigue and deficiencies in certain groups of people. If you plan on doing intermittent fasting, a longer duration up to 90 days might be beneficial. How much bone broth should you drink during a fast? Each day you ideally should consume between three to four quarts of bone broth. Making the broth yourself is the best way to ensure it’s high-quality and doesn’t cost you too much. About 12 ounces is the proper amount for one serving. You should consume this 12-ounce serving about five times a day — 7 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., for example. What foods should you definitely avoid while fasting? While fasting, you’ll ideally not eat anything at all, unless you’re doing intermittent fasting and it’s within your “eating window.” It’s ideal to eliminate all problematic and inflammatory foods during a bone broth fast, including grains, packaged/processed snacks, added sugar, FODMAP foods/complex carbohydrates, sweetened drinks, dairy and refined vegetable oils. Within your eating window, you can include as many healthy fats, clean proteins, fruits and veggies as you choose. Can you drink water on a bone broth fast? Drinking water is definitely encouraged. This helps keep you hydrated and can make fasting easier in general. How should you make and store bone broth? Plan to make your broth one to two times in a large batch and refrigerate/freeze small portions to keep them fresh throughout the fast. Drink broth throughout the day as you’d like, adding ingredients like salt, pepper, vinegar and seasoning for extra taste. You can reheat cooled or frozen stock on the stovetop, whisking it and skimming off the fatty/oily surface if you’d like to (although this is nutrient-dense and should be kept for cooking later on). Are there different methods of doing bone broth fasting? Bone broth fasts can be customizable to fit your needs and goals. They don’t require buying lots of expensive supplements, going for very long periods without eating “normally,” or much risk and investment. Here are several ways you can try a bone broth fast safely: You may want to practice intermittent fasting by going without any food for 12–15 hours of the day (usually through the night and morning), although this isn’t necessary for everyone. You might choose to utilize a combination of different stocks (chicken bone broth, beef bone broth and fish stock, for example) or stick with exclusively beef stock if you have a very sensitive system since this seems to be most well-tolerated. Try a bone broth fast as part of the GAPS diet protocol, eliminating problematic foods to test your response, or include bone broth in a FODMAP diet or specific carbohydrate diet (SCD) if you know certain carbohydrates cause your symptoms to worsen. It’s also a good idea to consume probiotics/fermented foods during the fast and afterward to boost intake of healthy bacteria. Even if you aren’t looking to do a formal fast but still want to take advantage of bone broth’s benefits, you can start by consuming eight ounces of broth once or twice daily as a soup, a plain beverage or within other recipes. Who Should Do It? How do you know if a bone broth fast is right for you? The people who can benefit most from fasting with bone broth include: those with digestive disorders (like leaky gut syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease or IBS) anyone struggling...

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Pumpkin Cashew Soup Recipe

AHA Publisher — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 08:00:30 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DMN, CNS – In the colder months, we crave hearty, balanced soups loaded with nutrition, macronutrients (nice blend of carbs, fat and protein) and yes, flavor! This pumpkin cashew soup checks all those boxes, plus it includes bone broth, providing you some gut, joint and skin support as well. Also, it’s noted with beneficial vitamin A and vitamin C. Nutrition Facts Serving Size: 1 Calories: 299 Total Carbohydrates: 21g Fiber: 4.8g Sugar: 7g Total Fat: 21.4g Unsaturated Fat: 8.7g Saturated Fat: 11.5g Protein: 11.1g Cholesterol: 0mg Potassium: 581mg (12% DV*) Sodium: 291mg (19% DV*) Vitamin A: 16130 IU (691% DV*) Vitamin C: 39.7mg (53% DV*) Calcium: 54mg (5% DV*) Iron: 3.4mg (19% DV*) *Percentages are based on a diet of 2000 calories a day. Pumpkin Cashew Soup Recipe DESCRIPTION This pumpkin soups is loaded with nutrition, macronutrients (nice blend of carbs, fat and protein) and yes, flavor. INGREDIENTS 1 tablespoon coconut oil 1 small onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 can organic pumpkin 1½ cups bone bone broth 1 jar roasted red peppers ⅓ cup sprouted cashew butter ½ teaspoon turmeric ½ teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon maple syrup ½ teaspoon sea salt ½ teaspoon black pepper 1 tablespoon lemon juice ½ cup coconut milk ½ cup fresh parsley (optional) INSTRUCTIONS Heat coconut oil over medium heat in a sauce pan. Sauté onion then add garlic for two minutes. Add everything but maple syrup, salt, pepper, lemon juice and coconut milk. Bring to a boil, then allow to simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients. Pour into blender and puree until smooth. Serve in a bowl with parsley garnish. NUTRITION Serving Size: one 8 oz. bowl Calories: 299 Sugar: 7g Sodium: 291mg Fat: 21.4g Saturated Fat: 11.5g Unsaturated Fat: 8.7g Carbohydrates: 21g Fiber: 4.8g Protein: 11.1g Cholesterol: 0mg To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Axe click here.

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Pho Recipe — a Gut-Friendly Vietnamese Soup

AHA Publisher — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 08:00:16 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DMN, CNS – There’s nothing like cooler weather that makes me want to cook up a big batch of soup and spend a cozy evening in with family and friends. Especially one that involves bone broth, grass-fed beef and immune-boosting herbs and vegetables. That’s right, I’m talking about this pho recipe, which will warm you up, aid your gut health, support your immune system during these cold winter months and is downright tasty. What Is Pho? Pho or phở originated in Vietnam in the early 20th century and has probably been around even longer, although there is poor documentation of the recipe until the last 90 years. It is thought that the French occupying the region in northern Vietnam and neighboring Chinese traditions both influenced the popular broth that we know today. After the Geneva Accords, which required Vietnam to split into two in 1954, many northern Vietnamese migrated south and brought their Vietnamese soup along with them. (1) Southern Vietnam was much more liberal with their pho soup and introduced garnishes like cilantro, lime, bean sprouts and Thai basil. How do you pronounce pho? The same you would ‘duh’! Is Pho Healthy? I would argue, absolutely. Not only are the benefits of bone broth numerous, including digestive repair, skin and joint health, but adding in healing spices and herbs boosts the benefits even more. Grass-fed beef boasts benefits of CLA, omega 3 fatty acids and is free of all hormones and antibiotics. Instead of traditional white rice noodles used in pho, I incorporated zucchini noodles, which have high anti-inflammatory properties and are high in vitamin C. (You can also opt for gluten-free brown rice noodles.) Toppings for the pho include cilantro, which helps rid the body of heavy metals, and Thai basil, which boosts immunity and contains natural antioxidant properties. Mint leaves aid in digestion and give a refreshingly cool flavor to the broth. Green onions give a mild, pungent kick and also add in antiviral and antibacterial properties to your pho soup recipe. Bean sprouts add a crunch, and since they are sprouted, are easy to digest, and you can absorb the nutrients within them much easier. Lastly, I added organic sriracha sauce to give it an extra kick and coconut aminos with beneficial enzymes, minerals and other healthy elements. So now you’re wondering how to make this pho recipe. Traditional bone broth can take anywhere from 24 to 48 hours to prepare, so if you’re using homemade, give yourself a day or two to get your pho broth ready. Otherwise, find a high-quality bone broth made from organic meat and vegetables to add to your pho ingredients. This pho recipe is easier to make than you think, so don’t be afraid to dive in! How to Make Pho First, take the bone broth and add it to a large stock pot. Add in onions, carrots, garlic cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, cardamon pods, coriander seeds and coconut aminos and bring it to a boil. Once the broth is boiling, reduce the heat so that the broth will simmer for 30 minutes. While the broth is simmering, go ahead and spiralize your zucchini into noodles or “zoodles.” Chop up your herbs and vegetables and set aside. Slice your sirloin steak into very thin slices, about one-fourth of an inch. Place the steak slices back in the refrigerator to keep them cold until the broth is ready. After the broth has simmered, strain out the solids and discard them. Return the broth to the stove top and keep piping hot until ready to serve. Now you’re going to assemble your pho soup bowls. First, add in a handful of zucchini noodles to the bottom of the bowl. Pour in a cup or two of bone broth over the noodles and quickly add 5–6 raw beef slices and watch them begin to cook through in the piping hot broth. Top off your pho with cilantro, green onion, bean sprouts, mint, Thai basil, organic sriracha and more coconut aminos, if desired. This pho recipe is so soothing, warming and nourishing. You’ll want to make this again and again in the upcoming winter months! Pho Recipe — a Gut-Friendly Vietnamese Soup DESCRIPTION There’s nothing like cooler weather that makes me want to cook up a big batch of soup and spend a cozy evening in with family and friends. Especially one that involves bone broth, grass-fed beef and immune-boosting herbs and vegetables. INGREDIENTS For the broth: 6 cups beef bone broth 2 onions, peeled and halved 4–5 whole carrots, chopped 4 garlic cloves, peel on and smashed 2–3 whole cinnamon sticks 8 star anise 5 cardamon pods 1 tablespoon coriander seeds 2 tablespoons coconut aminos Toppings: ½ pound sirloin steak, sliced into ¼ inch pieces 1 pound zucchini, spiralized 1 cup bean sprouts ½ cup chopped green onions ½ cup chopped cilantro ½ cup Thai basil leaves ¼ cup mint leaves Organic sriracha, to taste Coconut aminos, to taste INSTRUCTIONS In a large stock pot, add in beef bone broth, onion, carrots, garlic cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, cardamon pods, coriander seeds and coconut aminos. Bring the broth to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and let broth simmer for 30 minutes. Place zucchini into a spiralizer and spiralize into noodles. Set aside. Slice beef into very thin slices, about ¼ inch thick. Keep beef slices in the refrigerator to keep cold until ready to add to the broth. Strain the broth and discard the solids. Return the broth to the stove to keep warm. In four soup bowls, prepare each serving by adding in zucchini noodles to the bottom. Top with pho broth and add in 5–6 raw beef slices. Top each bowl with desired amount of herbs, vegetables, sriracha and coconut aminos. Serve immediately. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Axe click here.

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12 Flu Natural Remedies, Including Best Foods

AHA Publisher — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 08:00:10 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DMN, CNS – Each season, the flu affects about 8 percent of the United States population, on average. And the numbers may be even higher for asymptomatic people. Children are most likely to become sick from the flu, or influenza, but people with a depressed immune system or nutrient deficiencies may also be more prone to catching the virus. Stress, lack of sleep and exposure to toxins can worsen flu symptoms. Fortunately, there are flu natural remedies that can help boost your immune system to fight off the flu or relieve symptoms. What Is the Flu? The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. These viruses spread through the air from person to person. Signs and symptoms of flu may include: Fever Cough Runny nose Muscle or body aches Sore throat Headaches Fatigue Vomiting Diarrhea The CDC reports that although anyone can get the flu young children are affected by the virus most often. Pregnant women and adults 65 years old and older are at greater risk of developing serious flu-related complications because of their suppressed immune systems. Flu vs. the Common Cold The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses with similar symptoms, but they are caused by different viruses. Sometimes, it can be difficult to tell the difference between the flu and a cold, but usually influenza symptoms are much more intense. With a cold, it’s common to experience mild cold symptoms, like a runny nose and congestion. The flu is more likely to cause body aches, fever and headache, and it may cause serious health problems, like bacterial infections, pneumonia and even hospitalization. 12 Natural Remedies So, how do you get rid of the flu naturally? Home remedies for the flu include vitamins C and D, herbal supplements, essential oils, probiotics and eating healthy. Try these flu natural remedies to help relieve your symptoms: 1. Vitamin C (1,000 mg 3–4x daily) Vitamin C helps with immune function and boosts white blood cells. Research shows that vitamin C has shortened the duration of colds and can decrease the number of colds in physically active people. Take 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C daily to ward off a cold or the flu and up to 4,000 milligrams daily when you are experiencing symptoms. For the most dietary vitamin C, eat whole fruits and vegetables. 2. Vitamin D3 (2,000 IU daily) Vitamin D is produced in the body by sunlight and regulates the expression of over 2,000 genes, including those of the immune system. Unfortunately, up to 90 percent of people are deficient in vitamin D. Recent research suggeststhat low vitamin D levels are linked to higher rates of cold, flu and respiratory infections. Many physicians believe that current recommended daily amounts of vitamin D are far too low, and that 2,000 units rather than 200–400 units per day is a better choice. You can also order home testing kits to test your vitamin D levels. 3. Echinacea (1,000 mg 2–3x daily) This herb can help your body fight off infections, but it is best to take it at the first sign of illness. An extract of echinacea was tested in a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial in 2013. Researchers found that the echinacea effectively treated respiratory tract infections in the short- and long-term, and didn’t cause the same resistance as a popular flu medication, oseltamivir, often causes when treating this illness. A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study conducted in 2000 indicates that drinking five to six cups of echinacea tea per day as soon as upper respiratory symptoms developed, and reducing the number to one cup of tea over a 5-day period, was effective for relieving cold and flu symptoms. Echinacea acts as an anti-inflammatory, which can help reduce bronchial symptoms of cold and flu. It directly attacks yeast and other kinds of fungus. Different preparations have different concentrations of echinacea. Some common preparations and dosages include: Tablets containing 6.78 milligrams of echinacea extract, two tablets three times a day 900 milligrams of echinacea root tincture daily Five to six cups of echinacea tea on the first day of symptoms, and then 1 cup a day thereafter 4. Elderberry (10 mL daily) It is believed that this herb can deactivate the flu virus and naturally boost immunity. The flowers and berries of elderberry are said to boost the immunity, treat flu and relieve sinus pain. Elderberry does seem to attack flu viruses and reduce bronchial inflammation. A preliminary study found that when 15 milliliters of elderberry syrup was taken four times daily for a five-day period, it relieved symptoms of influenza an average of four days earlier than those taking a placebo. 5. Oregano Oil (500 mg 2x daily) Oregano oil has a powerful antiviral effect. I like to use oregano oil to fight viral infections and although there aren’t studies evaluating the efficacy of oregano on influenza specifically, there is research that indicates the powerful antiviral properties of the essential oil. 6. Zinc (50–100 mg daily) Zinc has shown to support immune function because of its antiviral effects. It works best when taken at the first sign of illness. Zinc may lessen the symptoms of the cold virus, but excessive amounts aren’t good for you. Zinc pills and sprays do not seem to be effective. Take 50–100 milligrams of zinc daily to ward off or treat cold and flu symptoms. 7. Brewer’s Yeast This popular supplement contains B vitamins, chromium and protein. Research in Science Direct describes that it’s used for cold, flu and other respiratory tract infections. In fish, brewer’s yeast stimulates immunity by positively influence the microbiome, which may also improve digestive function. Research conducted at the University of Michigan Medical Center found that a yeast supplement was able to reduce cold and flu symptom severity, and lead to significantly shorter duration of symptoms in patients. 8. Essential Oils for Flu Rubbing peppermint and frankincense essential oil into the neck and bottoms of the feet can naturally support the body’s natural defenses, as indicated in studies. I also like to use clove oil to protect my body against infection and speed recovery from the flu. Research confirms that clove oil has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. 9. Chiropractic Care for Flu Prevention During the 1918 flu epidemic, flu patients that received chiropractic care survived much more readily than those that didn’t. This is because chiropractic care focuses on the health of your nervous system, which can help to boost your immunity. A 2011 study showed some promise for chiropractic adjustments and their potential to help boost immunity. 10. Probiotics Restoring the beneficial bacteria in your gut can help boost your immune system considerably. A lab study conducted in 2017 showed that a particular strain of probiotics, Bacillus bacteria, demonstrated anti-influenza activity, with complete inhibition of the influenza virus. A 2017 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials evaluated the effects of probiotics and prebiotics on the immune response to the influenza vaccination. The results indicate that participants who took probiotics and prebiotics showed significant improvements in the H1N1 and H3N2 strain protection rates. This suggests that taking probiotics may elevate your immunity. 11. Get Fresh Air Indoor winter environments can be a source of concentrated toxins and germs. The dry air we inhale as we heat our homes during the winter makes airways more reactive and sensitive to viruses. An added bonus to time spent outdoors in the winter is the extra bit of sunlight you receive. 12. Get Enough Rest Studies highlight that sleep and immunity and linked. Sleep affects the body’s defense system and enhancing sleep while fighting an infection can promote your natural defense mechanisms and improve infection outcome. Plus, a stimulation of the immune system triggers a natural inflammatory response, which can induce an increase in sleep duration and intensity. Basically, your body needs the extra sleep to do its work. 13. Stay Hydrated Reports actually show that respiratory infections may not directly lead to dehydration, contrary to popular belief. However, even mild dehydration can cause fatigue, headaches and weakness. Sometimes when we are sick and congested, we are less likely to ingest enough fluids. Fluid helps your body to flush bacteria and viruses from your system. Drink approximately half your body weight in ounces daily of either spring water or reverse osmosis filtered water. Warm water can also be soothing to your throat. Herbal teas, like green and black teas, are potent immune system boosters and antioxidants. Try to drink at least eight ounces every two hours. 14. Top Foods for Flu Recovery Also, these are the best foods to consume while you recover from the flu. Light, easy-to-digest foods: Include soups with bone broth, cooked vegetables or herbal teas to help with digestion. Don’t force yourself to eat. Water: Adequate hydration is the key to flushing out the virus from your system. Hot water with lemon, honey, and cinnamon: Honey and cinnamon helps prevent mucus buildup and keeps you hydrated. Ginger: Make a ginger tea and add raw honey. Garlic and onions: Both of these vegetable help boost immune function. Conventional Treatment Conventional flu treatment includes antiviral drugs and vaccines. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends injectable influenza vaccines for everyone over 6 months and older. Vaccine injections are available as an inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) and a recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV). There are a few things you should know about the flu vaccine ahead of time. For one thing, it doesn’t work right away, but takes about two weeks before it is effective. This is why the CDC recommends getting the vaccine in the fall, before the flu season is at its worst. Another thing you need to know is that you can still get the flu even though you’ve been vaccinated. The virus that’s used to make the vaccine does not always “match” the virus that is circulating the community. The effectiveness of the flu vaccine varies from year to year because flu viruses are constantly changing, which is called antigenic drift, and experts do their best to pick the viruses to include in the vaccine many months before flu season begins. It’s not possible to be 100 percent sure which flu viruses will be most prominent in any given season, so the protection of a flu vaccine is not guaranteed. Reports indicate that the 2019-2020 flu vaccine was 45 percent effective against overall seasonal influenza A and B viruses. There are also side effects from getting the flu shot, such as soreness or swelling at the site of the injection, body aches and fever. The CDC recently made some additions to the 2007 guidelines on nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to protect oneself and others against the flu. Some of the recommendations for personal NPIs include: Staying home when you’re sick. Staying home if you’ve been exposed to a sick family or household member. Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Washing your hands or using hand sanitizer. Covering your nose or mouth with a mask or cloth if you are sick and have to be around others at a community gathering of people. Implementing these behaviors can help stop the spread of flu. Risks and Side Effects If you or a loved one experience complications from the flu, such as pneumonia, or have a high fever that won’t go down, contact your healthcare provider right away. If you catch the flu and you have a chronic condition, such as asthma, or you are pregnant, see your doctor. Also keep in mind that some symptoms of flu and Covid-19 are similar, which makes it hard to tell the difference between the two viruses. For this reason, it’s a good idea to call your healthcare provider and tell him or her about your symptoms over the phone. You will then be advised about what to do next. Most people recover from the flu within a few days to less than 2 weeks. If you’re still experiencing symptoms after 2 weeks, contact your healthcare provider. There is the risk of developing complications or a co-infection from the virus...

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14 Everyday Foods That Support Detox, Cleansing & Healthy Immune Function

AHA Publisher — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 07:00:39 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Want to support your immune function, liver health, and detox throughout your body? Yes, of course. Each day we live, our bodies are bombarded with toxins, free radicals, and compounds that can damage cells and tissues. They accumulate from our own biochemical processes, substances in our foods, air, and water, and toxins like metals in the environment. Fortunately, you can help your body get rid of them. You can use fasting and everyday foods that support detox, cleansing, and healthy immune function. Our bodies are incredible and have organs and systems that do their best to rid toxins each day. But even they can get bogged down in our modern lifestyles. They could use some help. Here are 15 everyday foods that support detox, cleansing, and healthy immune function. 14 Everyday Foods That Support Detox, Cleansing, & Healthy Immune Function 1. GREENS AND CHLOROPHYLL Remember grade school biology? We learned about the parts of the plant, and how plants make their own food with sunlight, soil, and water. And, we learned how plants convert carbon dioxide and water, using sunlight, into oxygen and glucose using chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is an extremely powerful compound. And, it can work wonders in the human body as well. In fact, chlorophyll and greens in general contain substances that support blood health, oxygenation, and energy levels. It works similarly to hemoglobin in the body, except it carries magnesium instead of iron (1). More, chlorophyll specifically supports digestive health, immune health, and liver health. It has a strong alkalizing effect on the body and improves urine pH, which further supports healthy liver function and removal of toxins like metals, pesticides, and more. You can get chlorophyll from many of the everyday greens you eat, including alfalfa, kale, and more. However, it’s easier to obtain high amounts of chlorophyll from powdered greens that contain foods like spirulina and wheatgrass, especially if they have been fermented. Fermentation makes the nutrients in foods like spirulina and wheatgrass even more bioavailable in the body and can deliver high amounts of nutrients and chlorophyll to the blood (2, 3). Divine Health Fermented Green Supremefood is a great low-carb source of fermented spirulina, wheatgrass, and more (10 USDA Organic greens and 4 grasses). It’s easy to add it to your daily routine for your daily chlorophyll needs! 2. HIGH ANTIOXIDANTS FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Antioxidants are also vital compounds in foods that support your immune system and detoxification of cells. Antioxidants fight free radicals that damage all cells and systems, including the immune system, reducing inflammation, and support cellular detoxification. For example, two high-antioxidants superfoods found in Divine Health’s Organic Red Supremefood that support the immune system in this way are beets and berries (4). What’s more, most vibrantly, rich-colored fruits and vegetables contain high amounts of antioxidants. Other good food choices include lemon juice, raw cacao, and greens. 3. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY SPICES I.E. GINGER AND TURMERIC Looking for strong anti-inflammatory foods that support healthy immune function? Ginger and Turmeric are potent spices with anti-inflammatory components. In fact, the main compound in turmeric, curcumin, supports joint health, anti-inflammatory mechanisms, and more. What’s more, ginger has similar functions. It can promote whole-body health, immune health, and pain relief with its strong antioxidants. Why is reducing inflammation important to support your immune system? Inflammation directly affects the immune system by changing the course of hormones and impacting the immune response (5). 4. NATURAL PREBIOTICS, PROBIOTICS, AND FIBER One very important step to support your immune system is to support your gut. The cells in the digestive tract and the healthy bacteria that live there are vital to the immune system and nourishment of the whole body. There are many ways to get probiotics, or healthy bacteria, in low-carbs foods. In addition, prebiotics are important to the process because they “feed” the healthy bacteria in probiotic foods and the healthy bacteria that already live in the gut. When prebiotics and probiotics are consumed together, the prebiotics display protective effects and significantly improve the vitality and delivery of the probiotics to the gut (6). You can find prebiotics and probiotics in both Organic Green and Red Supremefood. In addition, fibers like inulin are protective prebiotic foods sources with many health benefits and support optimal liver function according to the National Liver Foundation (7). By adding healthy bacteria and prebiotics to your diet, you can support your immune system (8). 5. FISH OILS AND OMEGA-3 SOURCES Like anti-inflammatory spices, omega-3 fats from fish and seafood are foods that support your immune system. In fact, they are some of the most potent compounds to reduce inflammatory hormone production. It’s vital to have a good ratio of dietary omega-3 fats compared to omega-6 fats. Both are needed for human health, but modern diets are far too high in omega-6 foods (mostly due to processed foods), and too low in omega-3s from fish and seafood, seeds, nuts, and more. Great choices for omega3 fats are salmon, halibut, and tuna. 6. MCT OIL POWDER While they work differently than omega3 fats, the medium-chain triglycerides in MCT Oil Powder also promote anti-inflammation. In fact, studies have shown that MCT oil directly reduces C-reactive protein (a marker for inflammation) (8). When you reduce inflammation, you allow your immune system to function better, and contribute to cleansing the body and keeping it strong. 7. EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL Oleocanthal is a special compound found in abundance high-quality Greek olive oils. In fact, it contains antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and many nutrients that support heart health. Oleocanthal is so strong it promotes anti-inflammatory action in similar strength to some medications, like ibuprofen (9). Additionally, it provides both antibacterial and anti-viral action (10), further supporting immune function and detox. 8. AVOCADOS Avocados are another anti-inflammatory food that supports your immune system. It has fats called phytosterols. They are known to combat the inflammation associated with arthritis. Avocados also contain polyhydroxylated fatty alcohols (PFAs), which are also potent anti-inflammatories. Lastly, avocado’s oleic acid supports digestive tract health to directly boost the immune system. 9. COLLAGEN AND BONE BROTH If you’ve been told to eat chicken noodle soup when you’re sick, it’s mostly for the bone broth. The collagen in bone broth and hydrolyzed collagen powder supports the immune system and detox by: Providing amino acids and proteins Support the cells in the digestive tract Reducing inflammation 10. GARLIC AND ONIONS Garlic is a wonderful food to support your immune system and detox. Garlic’s compounds are anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and supports cellular detox. Studies show that garlic may be effective against antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria (11) and strong viruses. Additionally, onions support your immune system with antioxidants, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer compounds. 11. BLACK PEPPER, CINNAMON, AND CLOVES Setting in your spice cupboard are incredibly strong foods that support your immune system (in addition to turmeric and ginger). These include: Black peppercorns support your immune system with potent antioxidants like piperine and anti-inflammatory compounds. Cinnamon is not only known for being anti-inflammatory, but its cinnamaldehyde can also fight infections directly. It inhibits Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, and Helicobacter pylori. What’s more, it supports the fight against tooth decay while encouraging the immune response to infection. Cloves, like cinnamon, are a spice that supports immune health, fights bacteria, and fights free radicals. 12. CAULIFLOWER AND BROCCOLI Cauliflower and broccoli are amazing vegetables. In addition to antioxidants that fight oxidative stress, their nutrients specifically support cellular detoxification to keep cells healthy and thriving. This includes both Phase 1 and Phase 2 cellular detoxification. 13. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR Organic apple cider vinegar is an ingredient in many folk medicine cures. It is known to fight both bacterial and viral infections, yeasts, and more. Importantly, you should never drink it straight. Always dilute to just 1-2 tablespoons per 8 ounces liquid to protect your esophagus while supporting immune health, liver health, and alkalization of the body. 14. WATER, GREEN TEA, AND BLACK TEA Green and black tea are packed full of antioxidants that support the body’s fight against free radicals and bacteria while supporting the immune system. In fact, their specific nutrients start working against microbes in the mouth. And water? Not only is it necessary for life, but it’s also necessary for the immune system. Each day, you can support your liver, kidneys, digestion, and the entire body by staying well-hydrated. Bottom Line You don’t have to search far and wide to eat foods that detox, cleansing, and healthy immune function. Many everyday foods can do the job. We also offer amazing products that make it easy to add the right foods and ingredients to your daily routine. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Colbert click here.

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How I Protect My Employees With Bone Broth

AHA Publisher — Sat, 23 May 2020 07:00:59 +0000

Al Sears, MD, CNS – Every other Friday, I have a catered lunch delivered to the office. As you might imagine, it’s a Paleo menu. But the favorite part of this tradition isn’t the food… it’s the bottles of bone broth I pass out afterward. I created my own “Immune System Enhancing Broth,” and the entire stock disappears within minutes. Today, I’ll share the recipe so you can make it at home. And I’ll show you just how powerful this ancient brew really is… There’s a reason humans have been harvesting bone marrow for thousands of years. It powers up your immunity like nothing else. Even Animals Understand the Power of Bone Marrow In the animal kingdom there is great wisdom. After a kill, animals always go for the organs first… and they’ve developed techniques for cracking the bones to extract marrow. Even birds will grab pieces of bone in their beaks and drop them onto rocks to get at the marrow inside. Tragically, our modern culture has largely vilified bone marrow since the 1950s. Ever since Ancel Keys tried to convince us fat was “bad” and erroneously concluded fat was the cause of disease, bone marrow was considered “junk food.” That shows you how divorced from reality our medical establishment has become… bone marrow is a rich factory of life-giving biological factors like red blood cells, most white blood cells, and two forms of stem cells. The bone marrow is such a rich source of nutrients, it’s one of the foods that allowed our ancient ancestors to evolve into the modern humans we are today. Our big brains are the result of consuming bone marrow and organ meat. Our hunter-gatherer ancestors would take otherwise indigestible animal parts like bones, hooves and knuckles and boil them down into a broth they could drink. That was one way they could extract the marrow and share it with the tribe. The rich mixture of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and healthy fats in bone broth not only nourish your body, they help protect you from outside pathogens. 4 Ways Bone Broth Helps You Fight a Virus Reduce inflammation: Bone broth contains several inflammation-reducing compounds that heal your gut. Since 80% of our immune system is directly linked to the health of our gut and our gut lining, a healthy gut means a better ability to fight infection. This in large part is due to the glycosaminoglycans (or GAGS). They help to restore the intestinal lining. They also play a role in maintaining collagen and elastin content between tissue fibers.1 Clear your respiratory system: One notable study showed that bone broth diminishes the presence of white blood cells associated with inflammation in the upper respiratory system. This encourages a more effective immune response and helps symptoms clear up more quickly. Helps you breathe more easily: Bone broth contains two powerful amino acids. The first, cysteine, effectively breaks down mucus to help clear out passageways so you can breathe more easily. Another amino acid called glycine increases the production of immune cells to reduce inflammatory responses that may damage your lungs.2 Boost immune cells: And another compound in bone broth known as mucopolysaccharides has been shown to increase the function B and T cells. These are two of your body’s most important immune system cells.3 Here’s the Recipe for My Own Immune System Enhancing Bone Broth: Ingredients: 2 pounds of grass-fed lamb and 2 pounds of pastured chicken bones, including the chicken’s neck, feet and wings 3 celery stalks, chopped 1 medium onion, quartered 3 carrots, chopped (feel free to throw in other vegetables) 6 garlic cloves 1 tsp. each of parsley, thyme, sage, rosemary and Pau D’Arco 1/2 cup of shiitake mushrooms 1 tsp. each of turmeric and ashwagandha 1 Tbsp. whole peppercorns 4 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar 2 bay leaves Pink Himalayan sea salt to taste 10 pints of cold water Directions: Place all ingredients in a 10-quart stock pot. Cover with water. Let sit for around 60 minutes. Bring the pot to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Skim off any impurities that rise to the top. When nothing else rises to the top, add water to keep the level just above the bones. Simmer for 15 to 24 hours. Then turn up the heat just a bit for the final simmer-down. This will concentrate the nutrients. Turn down the heat and let simmer for another hour or two. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Discard solids and strain remainder through a colander. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Al Sears, MD click here. References: 1. Aquino RS and Park PW. “Glycosaminoglycans and infection.” Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). 2016;21:1260–1277. 2. Wheeler MD, et al. “Dietary glycine blunts lung inflammatory cell influx following acute endotoxin.” Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2000;279(2):L390-L398. 3. Wrenshall L, et al. “Modulation of macrophage and B cell function by glycosaminoglycans.” J Leukoc Biol. 1999;66(3):391-400.

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How to Boost Your Immune System — Top 19 Boosters

AHA Publisher — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 07:00:55 +0000

Christine Ruggeri, CHHC via Dr. Axe – We are continually exposed to organisms that are inhaled, swallowed or inhabit our skin and mucous membranes. Whether or not these organisms lead to disease is decided by the integrity of our body’s defense mechanisms, or immune system. When our immune system is working properly, we don’t even notice it. But when we have an under- or over-active immune system, we are at a greater risk of developing infections and other health conditions. If you are wondering how to boost your immune system, be advised that it doesn’t necessarily happen over night. It’s a matter of strengthening your immune response with lifestyle changes and the use of immune-boosting antimicrobial and antiviral herbs. But hopefully you find comfort in knowing that your body is made to combat germs and protect your body from harm. What Is the Immune System? The immune system is an interactive network of organs, white blood cells and proteins that protect the body from viruses and bacteria or any foreign substances. The immune system works to neutralize and remove pathogens like bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi that enter the body, recognize and neutralize harmful substances from the environment, and fight against the body’s own cells that have changes due to an illness. Our immune system works to protect us every day, and we don’t even notice it. But when the performance of our immune system is compromised, that’s when we face illness. Research indicates that underactivity of the immune system can result in severe infections and tumors of immunodeficiency, while overactivity results in allergic and autoimmune diseases. For our body’s natural defenses to run smoothly, the immune system must be able to differentiate between “self” and “non-self” cells, organisms and substances. Here’s a breakdown of the differences: “Non-self” substances are called antigens, which includes the proteins on the surfaces of bacteria, fungi and viruses. Cells of the immune system detect the presence of antigens and work to defend themselves. “Self” substances are proteins on the surface of our own cells. Normally, the immune system has already learned at an earlier stage to identify these cells proteins as “self,” but when it identifies its own body as “non-self,” and fights it, this is called an autoimmune reaction. The amazing thing about the immune system is that it’s constantly adapting and learning so that the body can fight against bacteria or viruses that change over time. There are two parts of the immune system: Our innate immune system works as a general defense against pathogens. Our adaptive immune system targets very specific pathogens that the body has already has contact with. These two immune systems complement each other in any reaction to a pathogen or harmful substance. Immune System Diseases Before learning exactly how to boost your immune system, first understand that most immune disorders result from either an excessive immune response or an autoimmune attack. Disorders of the immune system include: Allergies and Asthma: Allergies are a immune-mediated inflammatory response to normally harmless environmental substances known as allergens. The body overreacts to an allergen, causing an immune reaction and allergy symptoms. This can result in one or more allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis and food allergies. Immune Deficiency Diseases: An immune deficiency disease is when the immune system is missing one or more of its parts, and it reacts too slowly to a threat. Immune deficiency conditions, like HIV/AIDS and drug-induced immune deficiency, are due to a severe impairment of the immune system, which leads to infections that are sometimes life-threatening. Autoimmune Diseases: Autoimmune diseases cause your immune system to attack your own body’s cells and tissues in response to an unknown trigger. Examples of autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes. Immune System Boosters When searching for how to boost your immune system, look to these herbs, foods, supplements, essential oils and lifestyle factors. Herbs 1. Echinacea Many of echinacea’s chemical constituents are powerful immune system stimulants that can provide significant therapeutic value. Research shows that one of the most significant echinacea benefits is its effects when used on recurring infections. A 2012 study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that echinacea showed maximal effects on recurrent infections, and preventive effects increased when participants used echinacea to prevent the common cold. A 2003 study conducted at the University of Wisconsin Medical School found that echinacea demonstrates significant immunomodulatory activities. After reviewing several dozen human experiments, including a number of blind randomized trials, researchers indicate that echinacea has several benefits, including immunostimulation, especially in the treatment of acute upper respiratory infection. 2. Elderberry The berries and flowers of the elder plant have been used as medicine for thousands of years. Even Hippocrates, the “father of medicine,” understood that this plant was key for how to boost your immune system. He used elderberrybecause of its wide array of health benefits, including its ability to fight colds, the flu, allergies and inflammation. Several studies indicate that elderberry has the power to boost the immune system, especially because it has proven to help treat the symptoms of the common cold and flu. A study published in the Journal of International Medical Research shows that when elderberry was used within the first 48 hours of onset of symptoms, the extract reduced the duration of the flu, with symptoms being relieved on an average of four days earlier. Plus, the use of rescue medication was significantly less in those receiving elderberry extract compared with placebo. 3. Astragalus Root Astragalus is a plant within the bean and legumes family that has a very long history as an immune system booster and disease fighter. Its root has been used as an adaptogen in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years. Although astragalus is one of the least studied immune-boosting herbs, there are some preclinical trials that show intriguing immune activity. A recent review published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine found that astragalus-based treatments have demonstrated significant improvement of the toxicity induced by drugs such as immunosuppressants and cancer chemotherapeutics. Researchers concluded that astragalus extract has a beneficial effect on the immune system, and it protects the body from gastrointestinal inflammation and cancers. 4. Ginseng The ginseng plant, belonging to the Panax genus, can help you to boost your immune system and fight infections. The roots, stems and leaves of ginseng have been used for maintaining immune homeostasis and enhancing resistance to illness or infection. Ginseng improves the performance of your immune system by regulating each type of immune cell, including macrophages, natural killer cells, dendritic cells, T cells and B cells. It has also proven to possess antimicrobial compounds that work as a defense mechanism against bacterial and viral infections. A study published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine suggests that ginseng extract successfully induces antigen-specific antibody responses when it’s administered orally. Antibodies bind to antigens, such as toxins or viruses, and keep them from contacting and harming normal cells of the body. Because of ginseng’s ability to play a role in antibody production, it helps the body to fight invading microorganisms or pathogenic antigens. Foods 5. Bone Broth Bone broth supports immune function by promoting the health of your gut and reducing inflammation caused by leaky gut syndrome. The collagen and amino acids (proline, glutamine and arginine) found in bone broth help to seal openings in the gut lining and support its integrity. We know that gut health plays a major role in immune function, so consuming bone broth works as an excellent immune system booster food. 6. Ginger Ayurvedic medicine has relied on ginger’s ability for how to boost your immune system before recorded history. It’s believed that ginger helps to break down the accumulation of toxins in our organs due to its warming effects. It’s also known to cleanse the lymphatic system, our network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials. Ginger root and ginger essential oil can treat a wide range of diseases with its immunonutrition and anti-inflammatory responses. Research shows that ginger has antimicrobial potential, which helps in treating infectious diseases. It’s also known for its ability to treat inflammatory disorders that are caused by infectious agents such as viruses, bacteria and parasites, as well as physical and chemical agents like heat, acid and cigarette smoke. 7. Green Tea Studies evaluating the efficacy of green tea show that it contains antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. It works as an antifungal and antivirus agent, and may be helpful for immunocompromised patients. Strengthen your immune system by drinking a good-quality green tea daily. The antioxidants and amino acids present in this tea will help your body to fight germs and get well. 8. Vitamin C Foods Vitamin C foods, like citrus fruits and red bell peppers, improve the health of your immune system by providing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Studies display that getting enough vitamin C (along with zinc) in your diet may help to reduce the symptoms of respiratory infections and shorten the duration of illnesses like the common cold and bronchitis. The best vitamin C foods to add for a strong immune system include: citrus fruits, including orange, lemon and grapefruit black currant guava green and red bell pepper pineapple mango honeydew parsley 9. Beta-Carotene Foods Beta-carotene has powerful antioxidant activity, allowing it to help reduce inflammation and fight oxidative stress. Instead of taking beta-carotene supplements, researchers propose that beta-carotene can promote health when taken at dietary levels, by eating foods rich in the carotenoid. The richest sources of beta-carotene are yellow, orange and red fruits and veggies, and leafy greens. Adding the following foods to your diet can help promote a strong immune system: carrot juice pumpkin sweet potato red bell peppers apricot kale spinach collard greens Supplements 10. Probiotics Because leaky gut is a major cause of food sensitivities, autoimmune disease and immune imbalance or a weakened immune system, it’s important to consume probiotic foods and supplements. Probiotics are good bacteria that help you digest nutrients that boost the detoxification of your colon and support your immune system. Research published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition suggests that probiotic organisms may induce different cytokine responses. Supplementation of probiotics in infancy could help prevent immune-mediated diseases in childhood by improving the gut mucosal immune system and increasing the number of immunoglobulin cells and cytokine-producing cells in the intestines. 11. Vitamin D Vitamin D can modulate the innate and adaptive immune responses and a vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased autoimmunity as well as an increased susceptibility to infection. Research proves that vitamin D works to maintain tolerance and promote protective immunity. There have been multiple cross-sectional studies that associate lower levels of vitamin D with increased infection. One study conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital included 19,000 participants, and it showed that individuals with lower vitamin D levels were more likely to report a recent upper respiratory tract infection than those with sufficient levels, even after adjusting for variables such as season, age, gender, body mass and race. Sometimes addressing a nutritional deficiency is how to boost your immune system. 12. Zinc Zinc supplements are often used as an over-the-counter remedy for fighting colds and other illnesses. It may help to reduce cold-related symptoms and shorten the duration of the common cold. Research evaluating the efficacy of zinc shows that it can interfere with a molecular process that causes bacteria buildup in the nasal passages. Essential Oils 13. Myrrh Myrrh is a resin, or sap-like substance, that is one of the most widely used essential oils in the world. Historically, myrrh was used to treat hay fever, clean and heal wounds and stop bleeding. Studies conclude that myrrh strengthens the immune system with its antiseptic, antibacterial and antifungal properties. A 2012 study validated myrrh’s enhanced antimicrobial efficacy when used in combination with frankincense oil against a selection of pathogens. Researchers expressed that myrrh oil has...

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