Boost Collagen Production and Build your Lining with Organic Bone Broth
At the Texas Center for Reproductive Acupuncture, one of our favorite recommendations to boost preconception health is the addition of bone broth to your daily routine. We suggest a minimum of 8 oz. daily. Now, we realize that not everyone loves sipping on bone broth, and not everyone indulges in animal proteins. Regardless of where you stand, we have plenty of suggestions and alternatives that are also beneficial.
Organic bone broth is a wonderful way to supplement your gut function, preconception and overall health. It’s nutrient-dense, containing essential amino acids (proline, glycine, glucosamine) and glycoproteins while supplying collagen and actually helping your body to increase collagen production on its own. This is especially important if you’re someone who struggles with a thin lining going into IUI’s and IVF transfers. Most RE’s like to see a minimum of 7 or 8 mm going into transfer. It’s also a wonderful way to get some extra protein in.
Often, if you’ve been on fertility meds, such as Clomid or Femara, you’re even more susceptible to having issues with your endometrium (lining) due to the thinning side-effects from these drugs. Women who have Asherman’s, or scar tissue from trauma can also have problems growing a healthy lining cycle-to-cycle. Other sources of trauma include that from D&C following miscarriage and procedures to remove polyps or fibroids.
If you’re someone who doesn’t care for the taste, you can get creative. Use it in rice (1 cup rice to 2 cups broth) or as a base for soups, stews and sauces. In sides of rice and lentils, it adds incredible flavor with less need for seasoning. And even if you do enjoy sipping it straight, you can still season it to taste. An alternative, if you’re vegan or vegetarian, is a plant-based collagen supplement such as MyKind Organics Plant-based Collagen Builder, or an Amino-acid complex supplement-- there are many to be found at your local health-food store and online. You may also want to add in Spirulina to increase your daily protein.
It’s important to note that grass-fed organic bone broth contains much lower levels of fluoride than non-organic because fluoride is stored in the bones. You can use different sources such as chicken or lamb and it’s always best to choose fresh or make it yourself! If you’d like a copy of our favorite recipe, check out this link from our website!
If you’d like to learn how acupuncture and herbs can also improve your lining shoot us an email at admin@texasfertilityacupuncture.com or give us a call 512-302-5600.