Bone broth contains nutrients that in laboratory studies have been linked to lower intestinal inflammation and better gut barrier function in inflammatory bowel disease, but there is no evidence from...
Mechanism
Synthesis from 1 study
The nutrients in bone broth enter the gut and strengthen the tight seals between intestinal cells. They also turn down inflammatory signals and help rebuild damaged tissue. Together, this reduces leakage and swelling in the gut lining.
Most probable mechanism
Amino acids and minerals from bone broth enter the gut, where they strengthen the seal between intestinal cells, reduce inflammatory signals, and help repair damaged tissue, leading to less leakage and less swelling in the gut lining.
Glutamine and arginine are absorbed by intestinal epithelial cells and used as energy sources and precursors for protein synthesis.
Intracellular glutamine activates signaling pathways that increase production and proper assembly 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 inhibit inflammatory signaling.
Glycine enters immune cells and epithelial cells, activates chloride channels, and suppresses activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and NF-kB pathway.
Arginine is converted to nitric oxide in endothelial cells, improving blood flow to the intestinal lining and reducing adhesion of inflammatory cells.
Proline and hydroxyproline are incorporated into collagen and extracellular matrix proteins by fibroblasts and epithelial cells, reinforcing the structural support beneath the intestinal lining.
Tight junctions seal the gaps between epithelial cells, nitric oxide enhances mucosal perfusion, and collagen stabilizes the underlying tissue, collectively reducing intestinal permeability and suppressing cytokine production.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Community contributions welcome
Bone Broth Benefits: How Its Nutrients Fortify Gut Barrier in Health and Disease
Contradicting (0)
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Gold Standard Evidence Needed
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