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- Shanks are a collagen-rich, nutrient-dense cut of meat that provides a more balanced amino acid profile than traditional steaks<\/span><\/li>\n
- Collagen, the most abundant protein in your body, supports skin, joints, bones, and gut health, and shanks are a top dietary source<\/span><\/li>\n
- Cooking shanks low and slow breaks down collagen into gelatin, making the nutrients more bioavailable and easy to absorb<\/span><\/li>\n
- Glycine, the main amino acid in collagen, helps regulate metabolism, balance muscle meat intake, and counteract inflammatory amino acids<\/span><\/li>\n
- Traditional diets included more collagen-rich cuts like shanks, offering a healthier protein balance compared to modern steak-heavy consumption<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
I am going to let you in on a little secret \u2026 the best cut of meat are the SHANKS. In fact, I am going to make a bold statement and say that SHANKS>STEAKS (when prepared properly). Not only are they less expensive than steaks, but you also get a more balanced amino acid intake.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ve probably heard about all the amazing health benefits of bone broth \u2014 improved gut health, better metabolism, enhanced skin and hair, stronger joints, and bones \u2026 the list goes on!<\/p>\n
These benefits are due to the collagen found in broth, which is the tough connective tissue around joints and bones. When cooked down, it transforms into gelatin, making these beneficial nutrients easier for your body to absorb and utilize.<\/p>\n
But did you know that shanks are also rich in those same collagen amino acids? Shanks are my favorite cut of meat. Not just because they taste great when properly prepared \u2026 but also because shanks have one of the highest gelatin-to-muscle meat ratios.<\/p>\n
The most abundant amino acid in collagen, glycine, is considered \u2018conditionally essential\u2019 since our bodies can make it, but not at the levels we need to thrive.1<\/span><\/sup>\u00a0Plus, as we age our natural collagen production starts to decline and our need for collagen rises.2<\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n
As the most abundant protein in your body, collagen accounts for approximately 30% of your protein mass. It\u2019s mostly found in connective tissues like skin, joints, bones and teeth, and it provides structure, strength, and stability.<\/p>\n
Regular consumption of collagen rich sources comes with a number of health benefits including improved skin, joint, gut and bone health.3<\/span>,<\/sup>4<\/span>,<\/sup>5<\/span>,<\/sup>6<\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n
There are also metabolic and energy production benefits with incorporating more collagen amino acids, as well! Glycine is extremely \u2018pro-metabolic\u2019 and helps support improving metabolic health by helping us reduce electron build ups \u2014 glycine helps you pull unburned fuel out of your cells, reducing reductive stress, improving the redox state of cells throughout the body.<\/p>\n
I prefer to take a \u201cfood-first\u201d approach to boost my collagen intake (instead of immediately resorting to supplements) \u2014 since you can access the most bioavailable form, along with supporting micronutrients (like B vitamins and zinc). Certain foods offer high amounts of this protein, and increasing your intake may be a better strategy than immediately resorting to supplements.<\/p>\n
And collagen-rich cuts of meat such as shank provide a COLLAGEN BOOST to your diet. So whether you\u2019re cooking beef shanks, lamb shanks, or pork shanks (aka pork hocks), you\u2019re getting a rich, collagen-packed meal!<\/p>\n
![\"beef](\"https:\/\/media.mercola.com\/ImageServer\/public\/2025\/February\/beef-lamb-pork-shanks.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCheck out my go-to braising method for all three types of shanks \u2014 beef, pork, and lamb \u2014\u00a0in this recipe video<\/a>\u00a0(or click the photo below). I also discuss a little more why I love shanks in the video!<\/p>\n
- Collagen, the most abundant protein in your body, supports skin, joints, bones, and gut health, and shanks are a top dietary source<\/span><\/li>\n
![\"simple](\"https:\/\/media.mercola.com\/ImageServer\/public\/2025\/February\/simple-shank-recipe.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"shank](\"https:\/\/media.mercola.com\/ImageServer\/public\/2025\/February\/shank-part.jpg\"\/)
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