Once regarded as the original healthy fat, bone marrow was side-lined by the anti-saturated fat, low-fat trends of the 1970s and, more recently, by the push for plant fats like avocado, olive oil, and nuts and seeds over animal fats. Yet, bone marrow was a staple in ancestral diets and likely a key ingredient in our great-grandmothers' kitchens.
Nutrient Density and Health Benefits
Bone marrow offers unique nutrients, including a rich and powerful fat profile as well a wide range of essential nutrients.
Let’s dive in...
Bone marrow is also packed with essential nutrients like collagen and fat-soluble vitamins (A, E, and K2), all beneficial to the body. These nutrients nourish our joints, support skin health, and strengthen our immune system.
Bone marrow serves as an energy source, containing compounds that contribute to red and white blood cell production and release hormones that regulate insulin sensitivity, such as adiponectin.
Adiponectin is a hormone in bone marrow linked to improved insulin sensitivity and a reduced risk of diabetes and cardiovascular issues, though more research is required to confirm the impact from dietary sources. Dr Erica Scheller, D.D.S., Ph.D., notes, “Our findings suggest that an important source of adiponectin, and potentially other proteins yet to be identified, is the fat tissue within bone marrow.”
Growth factors and unique peptides are found in the bone marrow, too.
Bioactive Compounds for Bone and Tissue Health
Bone marrow is rich in bioactive peptides and growth factors that promote bone density and tissue repair. Notably, osteogenic growth peptides (OGPs) encourage bone formation by stimulating osteoblasts, crucial for a healthy bone structure. Marrow also contains mechano-growth factor (MGF) peptides, which support tissue recovery, especially after physical exertion.
That said, like with adiponectin we don’t know the direct effects on dietary consumption just yet.
The Fat Profile
Here you’ll find monounsaturated fats, famed for being “heart healthy”, oleic acid, also known for supporting heart health and reducing inflammation, and stearic acid, a beneficial saturated fat that supports metabolic and hormonal balance without promoting inflammation.
These fats, comparable to those found (and heroed) in olive oil and avocados, have additional pro-metabolic properties specific to animal sources.
Stearic Acid: A Unique Saturated Fat
Stearic acid, a beneficial saturated fat found in various animal fats, constitutes around 10-20% of the total fat in bone marrow. This fat is highly valued for its pro-metabolic properties, as it has been shown to support hormonal balance, improve skin hydration, and boost energy levels.
Unlike other saturated fats, stearic acid is believed to be metabolised more efficiently, potentially offering a cleaner energy source for the body.
Considered a "premium" saturated fat, stearic acid is often said to "burn clean," meaning it does not contribute to inflammation as some other fats might. It’s also found in other nutrient-dense animal fats, such as grass-fed meat and suet (the fat surrounding the kidneys), as well as in cacao butter, which was historically used in pastries and pies. Bone marrow, rich in this healthy fat, can deliver these metabolic benefits while nourishing the body with essential nutrients.
Oleic Acid: A Well-Researched Healthy Fat
Oleic acid, one of the most extensively studied fats, has long attracted interest for its abundance in avocados and olive oil. However, oleic acid in bone marrow offers an additional array of scientifically supported health benefits, making it more than just a source of healthy fat:
- Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Oleic acid helps reduce chronic inflammation associated with conditions like arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune disorders.
- Heart Health: Oleic acid supports healthier cholesterol profiles, which can reduce heart disease risk.
- Immune Support: It enhances immune cell function, aiding the body’s defences against infections.
- Metabolic Health: Oleic acid can help regulate hunger hormones and promote efficient fat storage, aiding in weight management and reducing obesity-related risks.
- This unique fat supports the body on multiple levels, from inflammation control to metabolic stability, making bone marrow a highly valuable addition to a nutrient-rich diet.
It’s important to note that oleic acid isn’t only found in plants; it’s also present in regenerative, pasture-raised animals, like those we source for bone marrow at Oath.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) and Inflammation
Bone marrow provides conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a beneficial fat known for its anti-inflammatory, fat burning potential and immune-enhancing properties. CLA is often linked to improved metabolic health and recovery, particularly in active individuals or those recovering from illness. Notably, animals that live in natural environments, enjoying sunlight and grazing freely, often produce nutrient-dense fats, which further enhances the CLA content in bone marrow.
These unique properties make bone marrow a nutrient-rich addition to any diet.
Not all fats are created equal
When we consume high-fat foods, it’s crucial to ensure the fat is high quality; inferior fats can be as damaging as putting the wrong fuel in a car.
Poor-quality fats may stagnate in the body, and some tissues retain specific fats longer than others. (Seed oils can last in your tissues for four to eight years).
Additionally, fats from conventionally raised animals may carry unwanted contaminants, including plastics, moulds, mycotoxins, heavy metals, and pesticides.
In case you didn’t know, most environmental toxins are fat-soluble.
So, whether from plants or animals, fats can carry traces of pesticides, mycotoxins, and microplastics, which, once consumed, may be stored in our own fat tissue—especially if we’re overweight or obese, amplifying the toxic burden.
You can feel confident that the bone marrow we use at Oath comes from cows raised on natural pastures, basking in sunlight, grazing on lush grass, and tended by caring farmers.
This ethical approach impacts not only the taste but also the nutritional purity of our bone marrow products.
How to Incorporate Bone Marrow into Your Diet
Bone marrow can be enjoyed in various ways. We add it to our steak burgers and sausages, deepening the flavour.
And as of tomorrow, we’re offering bone marrow as a standalone product.
It can be used to make a rich, fat-based bone broth, baked in the oven, or grilled over an open flame, dressed with garlic and fresh thyme.
Spread it like butter on toasted sourdough for an indulgent treat.
Don’t discard the bone after savouring the marrow! Add it to your next batch of bone broth, as marrow bones are rich in glycosaminoglycans, which help fortify collagen and support gut health.
Natural collagen from bone marrow is excellent for joints and bones, promoting mobility and alleviating discomfort. Research on collagen supplements even suggests improvements in joint pain and flexibility—especially beneficial for osteoarthritis. Make the most of every part of the bone!
Enjoy grass-fed bone marrow at Oath Food Co., available in our burgers, sausages, or on its own.
Speak soon,
R, J & N