Bone broth is proposed as a food option that provides nutrients similar to commercial supplements designed to support gut barrier function.
Mechanism
Synthesis from 1 study
The nutrients in bone broth are absorbed and used to seal gaps between gut cells, reduce swelling in the intestinal lining, and rebuild damaged tissue. This makes the gut barrier tighter and less likely to leak.
Most probable mechanism
Amino acids and minerals from bone broth are absorbed in the gut and used to rebuild the lining of the intestine, seal gaps between cells, reduce inflammation, and repair damaged tissue, making the barrier stronger and less leaky.
Glutamine, arginine, glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline are absorbed by intestinal epithelial cells and used as building blocks for protein synthesis.
Glutamine metabolism provides energy to epithelial cells and activates signaling pathways that increase production of tight junction proteins including occludin, claudins, and ZO-1.
Zinc binds to metal-responsive transcription factor 1, which turns on genes that produce tight junction proteins and enhances epithelial resistance to oxidative stress.
Glycine activates chloride channels on immune and epithelial cells, leading to membrane hyperpolarization that suppresses inflammasome activation and reduces production of inflammatory cytokines.
Arginine is converted to nitric oxide in endothelial cells, improving blood flow to the intestinal lining and reducing leukocyte adhesion and inflammation.
Proline and hydroxyproline are incorporated into collagen and extracellular matrix proteins, stabilizing the lamina propria and supporting epithelial restitution after injury.
Tight junction proteins assemble into continuous seals between epithelial cells, reducing paracellular permeability and preventing unwanted substances from crossing the intestinal barrier.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Community contributions welcome
Bone Broth Benefits: How Its Nutrients Fortify Gut Barrier in Health and Disease
Contradicting (0)
Community contributions welcome
Gold Standard Evidence Needed
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