The picture’s from a time we bought a whole cow, roasted the bones at the deli, and made LOTS of stock… we won’t be doing that again though! (It was a bit of work…)
I don’t like synthesized vitamin/mineral products. I believe we need a proper balance of naturally occurring nutrients to maintain health. A lot of studies support this! A natural mineral combination, like that found in this Mineral Whey (from grass-fed goats), is best absorbed. It’s very concentrated, containing more than 20 naturally occurring minerals, and is real alkaline, which helps reduce acidic deposits in arthritic joints. It’s helped some folks with acid reflux, it helps decrease inflammation, and it’s helped some with Osteoporosis, to improve bone mass. I feel like it’s helped me a lot with my joint problems; also, the iron in it is highly absorbed too, which is a plus! (Note- this stuff does NOT taste like regular whey protein, but has a very concentrated, almost salty, mineral taste. So… don’t be surprised by that!)
Another plus about naturally-sourced nutrients: a natural mineral combination helps our chemical balance, which prevents excess calcium from depositing in joints and other organs.
What else can we use to support healthy joints and reduce inflammation? Collagen contains certain compounds, like chondroitin sulfate. Although a younger body can produce this nutrient, that ability decreases with age. Of course, that can lead to arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other issues. A natural source of collagen is made from beef or chicken bones. I’ve been making stock from these “leftovers” for years. The stock doesn’t just add flavor to soups and sauces, but also nourishes our bodies, giving us the extra collagen (and other nutrients) we may need.
It’s been challenging to make enough bone broth at times. We get busy, or I just don’t have enough bones on hand. I still prefer to make my own when I can (then I can use organic, free-range, grass-fed, etc.) But, when I’ve run out of time, I resort to getting some extra collagen from this gelatin– a decent brand that I think smells way fresher than the stuff at the grocery store. I let this form of gelatin “bloom” by sprinkling it in a bit of water first, then adding boiling water to that… if you want to mix collagen right into smoothies, collagen hydrolysate is a better form to get.
My swollen knee has been improving; a lot of reviewers on Amazon have also shown other improvements. As for other natural foods you can take to help fight inflammation, here’s a list:
- Cherry Juice
- Ginger
- Turmeric
- Feverfew
- Lemon peel
- White Willow Bark
Even more info on the nutritional qualities of these foods can be found on Jordan Rubin’s website.
