Is Drinking Bone Broth Useful for Healing Fractures?
Is Drinking Bone Broth Useful for Healing Fractures?
There is a common saying that goes, "Eat what you want to nourish." Many people believe that drinking bone broth can boost calcium intake. But is it really an effective way to supplement calcium? Dr. Jin He, Chief Physician of the Orthopedics Department at Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital's Yanqing Hospital, points out that this is not a recommended method for calcium supplementation. In fact, frequent consumption of bone broth by fracture patients not only fails to promote early fracture healing but may actually slow down the healing process and delay recovery.
Drinking Bone Broth Is Not the Best Way to Supplement Calcium
Dr. Jin explains that many people believe that boiling bones to make soup will release the calcium from the bones into the broth, allowing them to replenish calcium by drinking it. However, although bones contain a substantial amount of nutrients such as calcium and phosphorus, the calcium released into the soup is not significant and is not easily absorbed by the human body, leading to subpar calcium supplementation.
Experiments on bone broth have revealed that the calcium content in milk is 111.3 milligrams per 100 milliliters, while vinegar-added bone broth contains 4.3 milligrams per 100 milliliters, and bone broth without vinegar contains only 1.1 milligrams per 100 milliliters. Research results indicate that bone broth without vinegar has only one-third of the calcium content of tap water and only one-hundredth of that in milk. To meet the recommended daily calcium intake of 800 milligrams set by the Chinese Nutrition Society, one would have to drink about 300 to 500 bowls of bone broth each day. The white, cloudy substance found in bone broth is mainly fat. Consuming excessive amounts of it doesn't significantly contribute to calcium supplementation and can lead to fat accumulation.
Dr. Jin emphasizes that fracture patients should, in fact, limit their fat intake and ensure they consume sufficient protein, along with additional vitamin D and vitamin C. Relative to daily dietary requirements, bone broth is just a regular food with no specific therapeutic or nutritional benefits.
Choose Natural Foods for Calcium Supplementation
Dr. Jin advises that when fracture patients consider calcium supplementation, they should first aim to obtain calcium from natural foods rather than relying on calcium supplements or other health products. Natural sources of calcium, such as milk and soy products, are not only rich in calcium but also contain various other essential nutrients that are easily absorbed by the body. Dietary choices are crucial during the recovery phase for fracture patients. There is no need for strict dietary control, but it's a good idea to incorporate foods rich in vitamin C because a deficiency can inhibit bone formation. Patients can include vitamin C-rich vegetables like tomatoes, amaranth, and radishes in their diet.
Additionally, fracture patients should consume foods that provide essential trace elements like zinc, iron, and manganese to promote collagen synthesis and myoglobin production. Foods rich in zinc include animal livers, seafood, soybeans, and sunflower seeds. For iron, consider animal livers, eggs, legumes, leafy greens, wheat, and bread. Manganese-rich foods include oats, egg yolks, and cheese.
Furthermore, prolonged bed rest for fracture patients can lead to constipation. To address this issue, it's advisable to consume fiber-rich green vegetables, bananas, honey, and other foods that promote bowel movements.
In conclusion, when it comes to calcium supplementation for fractures, the traditional Chinese medical principle of "moderation in all things" is a valuable guideline. Excessive consumption of any single food is not aligned with the principles of a healthy diet. Therefore, it's essential not to rely on the belief that bone broth can treat fractures. Instead, opt for a balanced and varied diet as the correct choice for fracture patients.
There is a common saying that goes, "Eat what you want to nourish." Many people believe that drinking bone broth can boost calcium intake. But is it really an effective way to supplement calcium? Dr. Jin He, Chief Physician of the Orthopedics Department at Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital's Yanqing Hospital, points out that this is not a recommended method for calcium supplementation. In fact, frequent consumption of bone broth by fracture patients not only fails to promote early fracture healing but may actually slow down the healing process and delay recovery.
Drinking Bone Broth Is Not the Best Way to Supplement Calcium
Dr. Jin explains that many people believe that boiling bones to make soup will release the calcium from the bones into the broth, allowing them to replenish calcium by drinking it. However, although bones contain a substantial amount of nutrients such as calcium and phosphorus, the calcium released into the soup is not significant and is not easily absorbed by the human body, leading to subpar calcium supplementation.
Experiments on bone broth have revealed that the calcium content in milk is 111.3 milligrams per 100 milliliters, while vinegar-added bone broth contains 4.3 milligrams per 100 milliliters, and bone broth without vinegar contains only 1.1 milligrams per 100 milliliters. Research results indicate that bone broth without vinegar has only one-third of the calcium content of tap water and only one-hundredth of that in milk. To meet the recommended daily calcium intake of 800 milligrams set by the Chinese Nutrition Society, one would have to drink about 300 to 500 bowls of bone broth each day. The white, cloudy substance found in bone broth is mainly fat. Consuming excessive amounts of it doesn't significantly contribute to calcium supplementation and can lead to fat accumulation.
Dr. Jin emphasizes that fracture patients should, in fact, limit their fat intake and ensure they consume sufficient protein, along with additional vitamin D and vitamin C. Relative to daily dietary requirements, bone broth is just a regular food with no specific therapeutic or nutritional benefits.
Choose Natural Foods for Calcium Supplementation
Dr. Jin advises that when fracture patients consider calcium supplementation, they should first aim to obtain calcium from natural foods rather than relying on calcium supplements or other health products. Natural sources of calcium, such as milk and soy products, are not only rich in calcium but also contain various other essential nutrients that are easily absorbed by the body. Dietary choices are crucial during the recovery phase for fracture patients. There is no need for strict dietary control, but it's a good idea to incorporate foods rich in vitamin C because a deficiency can inhibit bone formation. Patients can include vitamin C-rich vegetables like tomatoes, amaranth, and radishes in their diet.
Additionally, fracture patients should consume foods that provide essential trace elements like zinc, iron, and manganese to promote collagen synthesis and myoglobin production. Foods rich in zinc include animal livers, seafood, soybeans, and sunflower seeds. For iron, consider animal livers, eggs, legumes, leafy greens, wheat, and bread. Manganese-rich foods include oats, egg yolks, and cheese.
Furthermore, prolonged bed rest for fracture patients can lead to constipation. To address this issue, it's advisable to consume fiber-rich green vegetables, bananas, honey, and other foods that promote bowel movements.
In conclusion, when it comes to calcium supplementation for fractures, the traditional Chinese medical principle of "moderation in all things" is a valuable guideline. Excessive consumption of any single food is not aligned with the principles of a healthy diet. Therefore, it's essential not to rely on the belief that bone broth can treat fractures. Instead, opt for a balanced and varied diet as the correct choice for fracture patients.