Broth – Hydroxyproline: Critical for Healthy Skin, Bones, Teeth, Joints and More

Hydroxyproline is an amino acid that is synthesized by the body. The standard view is that because the body manufactures it, it is not considered an essential amino acid. It is an amino acid in bone broth, as discussed in: Amino Acids in Bone Broth and How They Help You.

Hydroxyproline is largely found in the protein collagen, and works with prolene and glycine to ensure the health and stability of collagen and connective tissue, discussed in the Amino Acids article referenced above. High levels of hydroxyproline in the urine suggest that the body’s connective tissue is breaking down.

Collagen is the main protein of connective tissue and is a reinforcing structure in bone and teeth. It is the most abundant protein in animals, accounting for 25 percent of total protein. Because collagen is a major component of healthy, young looking skin, it is used in skin care products as a wrinkle reducer. People apply it topically, they inject it, and now they are starting to eat it to reduce their wrinkles.

Do any of these treatments work? Dr. Kaayla Daniel summarizes her views on collagen in Food Features: Why Broth is Beautiful as follows:

“Although the textbooks don’t come right out and say so…common sense suggests that--cartilage wise, at least--we might very well be "what we eat."

“In fact there is solid scientific backing for this common sense observation. Research on proline and glycine is far from a growth industry, but a few good studies exist and serve to clarify the essential nature of these supposedly ‘inessential’ aminos. Most of the researchers believe that both proline and glycine should at the very least be considered "conditionally essential" (along with arginine, cysteine, glutamine, serine, taurine and tyrosine)3, which means that under most conditions, the body cannot make enough of these compounds and must get them from food. Even more interestingly, this modern research suggests that many of the long-forgotten 19th and early 20th century studies should be looked at anew.”

Other internet searches do not lead to any definitive answers. Focusing solely on collagen to reduce wrinkles and improve skin and whole body health is too limiting. My skin health has improved and my wrinkles have faded as I age. I drink a lot of hydroxyproline/proline/glycine rich bone broth every week. In addition to that, I have removed body-damaging processed foods from my diet and increased my fruit and vegetable intake.

The results? In addition to younger looking skin, the 12 years of pain from my previously fractured back is gone, the five years of pain in the shoulder that injured while giving birth to Colson is gone, all kinds of other aches and pains are gone, and I am reversing my osteopenia diagnosis.

I do not believe there is one magic bullet to a youthful, vibrant and healthy life, but many. Thank goodness for bone broth and its many health-giving properties. It is a great place to start reclaiming your health.

Comments

[Life's Too Good]

Amazing post! I was searching for something along the lines of this and its greatly help me being a newbie. I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this valuable post. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well.

[Nathan]

If we really want to have an active and youthful look along with healthy bones and teeth, we have to instill in ourselves healthy living. Eating processed food daily is not part of the category. Raw food and dishes that are healthy in protein are great body builders. As we age, our anti body weakens. That makes us look old and weak. But with proper diet, we can prolong the aging process, including tooth loss.

[alex gatsis]

How long did it take before you saw a difference in your skin?

[Laura Combs]

Gosh...it has been a long time since I experienced that. I would say 4 or 5 months, but that is just going by what feels right. Unfortunately, I started blogging maybe 3 or 4 months after I started GAPS. I wish I would have started sooner. If you are just getting started, keep a journal. You will have lots of fun watching your progress!