Benefits of Eating Bone Marrow

What is Bone Marrow?

Bone marrow is considered a delicacy in many cultures and is gaining popularity in the keto and paleo community because of the wealth of nutrients (and the taste!) that can be found within it. In fact, when animals prey upon each other, they have been seen to go directly for the bone marrow, knowing it’s full of nutrients they need to survive. The marrow can be found in the middle of bones of animals such as fish, birds and mammals. The larger the animal, the larger the bones and therefore, it’s marrow. For example, in a cut of beef shank, you may have a femur (leg) bone the size of your fist!

Functions & Benefits

Bone marrow (when the animal is alive) helps carry oxygen to blood cells, facilitates blood production and aids in immunity. When fully cooked, the bone marrow becomes soft and mushy and tastes very mild. Like most things, it usually tastes similar to the herbs and spices in which it was cooked. It’s full of amazing vitamins and minerals and provides many health benefits to those that eat it.

Aids in joint health – bones are full of protein in the form collagen. Collagen is also found in tendons, ligaments and other connective tissue. It’s broken down while cooking into another protein called gelatin. The same gelatin that’s found Jello! When cooled, will give foods like bone broth and gelatinous consistency.

Gelatin has benefits of its own! Many people have reported that it aids in weight loss and plateaus, brain function, digestion, joint pain, bone health, sleep, appetite suppression. When boiled, gelatin can also help reduce joint inflammation and pain

Full of essential omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals (calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, selenium, magnesium, manganese)

Helps promote a healthy digestive tract by sealing liquids to help absorption and fighting inflammation

Drinking the bone broth after boiling bones and bone marrow has been reported to help alleviate symptoms of keto flu! It’s an electrolyte powerhouse.

Eating Bone Marrow

Bone marrow is mostly made of fat, with small amounts of protein found in it as well. According to SelfNutritionData, bone marrow is about 97% fat! A great boost to any keto or paleo soup, stew or broth.

Some people like to scrape or suck the bone marrow right out of the bone when cooled off a bit, or even spread it on whatever they’re eating for a delicate and creamy boost of flavor. You can boil the bones with vegetables and spices to create a nutritious bone broth, or just roast the bones and eat up! We cook the meat and bones all together in our favorite Easy Beef Stew for the easiest preparation. The meat becomes soft and juicy and the bone marrow boils perfectly and stays attached to the bone until you’re ready to feast.

Where to Buy It

Bones can be bought from your local butcher or even WholeFoods. Ask your butcher to cut up the bones into 2-4 inch pieces, as cutting bone in your kitchen can become difficult the bigger they are. The prices will vary depending on where you go and if the animals were grain-fed or grass-fed, the latter being more expensive. The easiest way to obtain some bones is to buy the meat still attached it them! We prefer buying organic, grass-fed beef shanks and throwing them into beef stew whole!

Sources

http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/j-ello.htm
http://www.diynatural.com/benefits-of-gelatin-in-your-diet/
http://www.judytsafrirmd.com/gelatin-for-anxiety-sleep-and-appetite-suppression/
http://www.amazon.com/Great-Lakes-Unflavored-Gelatin-16-Ounce/dp/B001ELLBJS/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8
Photo: http://www.diningchicago.com/blog/2010/06/04/friday-food-porn-boning-up-at-the-bristol/