All my life being an athlete, I knew protein was a must. I eat a lot of protein through my diet, being that I follow a Paleolithic lifestyle for the most part. However, I always needed a little extra boost after the gym or in my morning, on-the-go routine in order to achieve optimal protein levels in my body and to kickstart my metabolism.

Being that I had vague and undiagnosed autoimmune issues my whole life, but now only recently being diagnosed with lupus, I FINALLY noticed the tie to my gut issues that came along with it. I would buy my protein off of bodybuilding.com, and try to purchase the largest container with a massive amount of protein per serving. Many of these brands made me nauseous and bloated, but I sucked it up thinking, "well this is just part of the process, I suppose."

Actually, it wasn't. Nobody I knew felt that way after what was supposed to be a nutritious protein shake, and it did the opposite in my body of what it was intended to do. It most likely contributed to leaky-gut syndrome and causing more unhealthy inflammation within my body. After becoming immersed in my nutrition-conscious lifestyle, I did extensive research and had much insight on what food/nutrients and NATURAL supplements I was supposed to be implementing in my diet.

Enter Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth Protein by Dr. Axe. Many of these other "fitness and body building" proteins I have tried in the past have added ingredients that are artificial, to essentially put the most amount of protein they can into the smallest serving possible. That doesn't cut it with me, and I want something completely pure going into my body since you should be gaining protein from natural ingredients. This product is paleo- and gut-friendly, free of all artificial ingredients, non GMO, gluten- nut- soy- grain- and dairy-free. All that could be possible allergens or produce unnecessary added stress on the gut. There is 1 gram of sugar, which comes form the natural vanilla extract flavoring (0 grams if you get the "pure" flavor), 2 grams of carbohydrates (not from simple starches which is key!), 98 calories per serving, 20 grams of protein per serving, and has pure ingredients such as the natural vanilla flavoring and monk fruit extract. One serving is only one scoop as well, which gives you more for your money. Amazingly, it is still absolutely delicious and goes perfectly (and lightly) into any fruit/vegetable smoothie or alone in some almond or coconut milk.

The most notable ingredient is Chicken Bone Broth Protein Concentrate. This is how this product obtains the 20 grams of protein in it, literally from an animal that God put on this earth. And as it should be! No more synthetics or artificial ingredients and let me tell you, my gut is thanking me for it! No more bloating or nausea, just positive results. This product advertises supporting a healthy gut, supporting a healthy (not overactive) inflammatory response, supports healthy skin and aging, supports a healthy immune system, supports healthy cells, a healthy liver, and healthy detoxification, supports a healthy metabolism, and supports muscles, bones and joints. In the last week, I received a compliment from a family member for looking "brighter," which I'm going to assume is a consequence of taking this supplement every day since it has been the only recent change in my lifestyle.

So, what is this "bone broth protein," and how does it work? 

Bone broth has been a huge craze in the holistic health and nutrition world, and I first learned of it through the Autoimmune Wellness blog. This can be made as a stock and you may incorporate it into many meals, however may be very inconvenient and can take days on end to make. This is why I was so excited that it was made into a natural powder through Ancient Nutrition!

Bone broth is made through boiling the bones of any vertebrate (in this case, chicken) and obtaining nutrients from the superficial bone, bone marrow, tendons and ligamentous structures that one would not typically ingest and eat on their own. This stock solution is rich in calcium (without eating or drinking dairy that is tough on the gut), magnesium (for proper muscle growth and function), phosphorous, and is rich in the amino acids, proline and glycine which is vital for collagenous structures (the glue that holds our bodies together).

Why is collagen so much more important than these other nutrients?

Collagen, which lines our joints, muscles, fascia, organs, skin, hair, etc., etc., is a strong structure that has criss-crossing, rope-like fibers embedded into a gel matrix (typically the synovium in the joints) to make a lining around these systems that is durable and long-lasting. With many disease processes such as inflammation from autoimmunity or infections, or just simple aging and the shortening of our telomeres, our collagen sources in a specific region of the body may be depleted. This could ultimately result in inefficient bodily processes such as digestion or atherosclerosis, or may lead to stiff joints, brittle hair, osteoporosis, dull/wrinkled skin, or weak muscles being quickly replaced with fat.

Glycine and proline, found predominantly in bone broth solutions, are one of the main building blocks for collagen and is vital in many of these processes. They are found in the enzymes and proteins solely of living animals, and Dr. Axe mentions that in the traditional western diet, individuals consume only about 2 grams of glycine from their diets daily. Now, it is recommended as a supplement for individuals recovering from toxic treatments/surgery or a stressful disease since it is so crucial in building the body on a molecular level. These microscopic building blocks can heal anything from massive injuries or heal arteries or nerves damaged from systemic inflammation or infection (which is of huge interest to me). They can actually release human growth hormone from the pituitary gland and raise creatine levels to allow repair, growth, and sustained function of all tissues and muscles!

As seen in the diagram, the small glycine and proline amino acids (to the right) make up the entire collagen fiber structure

According to The Paleo Mom, glycine can aid in even controlling the most vicious autoimmune processes. It has been discovered that it supports HEALTHY and not OVERACTIVE immune function, inhibiting the inflammatory cells that are floating around the body for no apparent reason. So not only does proline and glycine heal the body from injury, inflammation and disease, but it may actually help prevent it as well!

This is why bone broth is known as a "superfood." While people who eat a high-protein diet or take regular collagen supplements can achieve satisfactory levels of these amino acids, proline and glycine are not as isolated as they would be from slow cooking bony structures over many hours. The fact that this is in an all natural, easy-to-use, and artificial ingredient-free powder, I can now achieve those benefits without the hassle of making bone broth stock. I find this important in my life since I have a musculoskeletal and a systemic disease, where I literally have no idea what is going on inside of me unless I am in intense pain. My collagen supply is being directly attacked constantly! So, this bone broth protein powder that is allergen-free for my gut is truly a blessing.

If anyone else has uses and recipes for this protein powder, please share the wealth! I hope that anyone who tries this has great success :)

March 29, 2017: Officially one year since my diagnosis of lupus

I MADE IT

Just this week, the Lupus Foundation of America unveiled their powerful tool for lupus patients around the world; The National Resource Center on Lupus. 

I was honored to be asked as someone to have a "first look" prior to the unveiling, and to take part in a webinar that allowed ambassadors around the country to become accustomed to the user-friendly platform to get the most out of the center. The main takeaway was the mission of the foundation with this center, which is to empower, educate and relate.

The LFA strives to create content that will empower their audience to feel as though they are able to take action in their community and with their own health. By being more aware of coping strategies, treatment options and more, patients will become their own advocates while approaching an unsettling disease. This was accomplished through the center by education and awareness, because many are misinformed about the manifestations of lupus. It dispels myths and answers any question that may come to the mind of a lupus patient, family member/friend, or health care provider. Vital for the psyche of patients, the LFA relates and connects patients to other patients in the country by giving raw content of personal stories offered to the foundation to assure others that they are not coping by themselves.

I think of this as a home base for my day-to-day questions and concerns. Whether it is about a new medication I am prescribed, questions about an appropriate lupus diet to decrease my risk of heart disease, how I need to evaluate and approach a different symptom, or keeping up with my mental health and wellbeing while coping, I have a resource to go to. I am able to go to the topics index pictured below and choose from forty topics pertaining to lupus. The NRCL also gives me options for my advocacy and ambassador position, giving me scientific research done on lupus for diagnostics and causes, healthy lifestyle factors, symptoms and related conditions, impacts of lupus, treatments and research participation. This research tab is a powerful tool to display the efforts of the LFA, and all of the exciting research being done to improve the lives of those living with lupus and potentially finding a cure.

On the home page, you are also able to choose your "category," whether you think you have lupus, were newly diagnosed, you have been living with it for some time, you are a child, teen or young adult, a caregiver or a healthcare provider. These categories are excellent guiding tools that mold to a specific population within the lupus community, to help their needs the most effectively.

In all, the NRCL has over 600 medically-reviewed publications on a wide range of topics, so patients and caregivers know that they are obtaining legitimate advice for their illness. According to the LFA CEO, Sandra Raymond, it is "based on forty years of experience and insights that we have gathered working closely with world-renowned lupus experts and the lupus community, as well as from a comprehensive research effort conducted by the organization." This is why I have been enlivened regarding my patient advocate and ambassador position within the foundation. The LFA is so proactive in researching and overcoming every aspect of lupus from biology to lifestyle, and truly wants to be a driving force in helping their patients succeed in their lives despite lupus. The National Resource Center on Lupus is a direct result of promoting awareness, because of the federal funding, research funding and personal fundraising accomplishments by everyone involved. This is an illustration of where our fundraising efforts go to, which is extremely exciting!

Please share this post and spread awareness of our new tool that can change the lives and perspective of millions of people! Also, feel free to click around on the links within the article and explore the site. Although difficult to accept, it is an encouraging time to be diagnosed with lupus because of all the good that is being done for us in the community. Help us accomplish our goals to "Know Lupus, for a future with No Lupus."