Benefits of Beef Liver
Tara Carpenter, NC.
Nutrition Consultant specialized in therapeutic nutrition to heal mild to severe health conditions, esp. digestive disturbances involving yeast, bacteria, parasites, and viruses.
People have been eating beef liver for thousands of years for revitalizing properties. This is especially true for women who traditionally ate beef liver to help replace any iron lost during menstruation and giving birth. Both men and women can benefit from eating beef liver because this food is known to help balance hormones and boost sexual libido. Traditionally though, liver and other animal organs were reserved for women during the childbearing years in order to promote fertility and good health after birth.
As a Holistic Nutritionist, I consider livera #1 food (next to fermented cod liver oil); especially for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. People, at all stages of life, demand a constant building up of the valuable vitamins and minerals found in liver. Beef liver in particular has many benefits; including making new red blood cells that keep energy levels up (+ libido). Liver is a fantastic source of iron because it absorbs into the body more easily than most plant sources of iron.
Having Babies
If you are menstruating or planning to give birth then liver can be a real “booster” during such times of blood loss. If you’re prone to anemia, liver is a great resource. My experience since starting on liver is I no longer get dizzy before menstruation and I bounce back quickly once done bleeding. Eating red meat during menstruation helps yet beef liver pills stopped me from being anemic, something I never thought would go away!
Do you avoid liver for fear of getting too much Vitamin A? Vitamin A Saga.
Liver is the highest source of vitamin A.
Contrary to popular belief, humans must consume vitamin A from animal sources like liver because vitamin A in vegetables, like carrots, come in form of carotene which must convert into retinol in our body before we can use it. This conversion rate is poor in most of us and almost insignificant in kids/adults with compromised health and the elderly. Vitamin A in liver is in retinol form so the body of most people can access it easily (a.k.a. it is a bio-available form).
Liver has a high vitamin A content which can potentially help repair and balance hormonal issues and thyroid issues. Vitamin A also plays a role in keeping our liver healthy in its ability to detox properly.
Liver can keep brain and body healthy.
Liver is extremely rich in nutrients that can keep our brain and body healthy; including essential fats (EPA/DHA), copper, vitamin A, iron, folate, and B vitamins. Liver is very good for nervous system disorders.
- Contains unidentified “anti-fatigue factor” (famous animal study)
- Excellent source of protein
- Nature’s most concentrated source of vitamin A
- Abundance of B vitamins, esp. B12
- Best source of folate (natural form of folic acid)
- Bio-available form of iron
- Rich in trace elements (i.e. copper, zinc, chromium)
- CoQ10 for cardio-vascular function
- Relieves PMS and mood swings
- Cardiovascular stamina
Ways To Take Liver
I like liver capsules that are homemade or store-bought from Radiant Life. Either way, source liver from pasture-raised cows, chickens, or lamb and make sure does not contain any fillers. I also like these liver capsules. You can see here for how my kids eat liver.
If you don’t have access to local, pastured liver:
- Local Harvest – just enter your zipcode and find local farmers.
- Weston A Price Foundation – get in touch with local chapters in your area for local, sustainable food resources.
- White Oak Pastures is an online source for pastured liver.
What about cooked liver?
I think liver is one of the best foods to eat, whether cooked or raw. Eating it in raw form has advantage because the enzymes they contain. Cooking destroys these enzymes but you still get many nutrients (except delicate B vitamins which decrease during cooking). Here is a recipe for cooking liver.
May all bellies be happy!
How To Make Raw Beef Liver Pills
Photo credit: Kimberly Mahurin, Method of Hope
References
Cristina with “The Organic Wife” (2013). DIY Liver Capsules. Retrieved at www.anorganicwife.com
Lauren with “Empowered Sustenance” (2013). The Easiest Way to Eat Liver. Retrieved at https://empoweredsustenance.com/the-easiest-way-to-eat-liver-no-taste-no-fuss/
Kelly with “Primally Inspired”(2013). Frozen Raw Liver Pills. Retrieved at https://www.primallyinspired.com/friday-favorites-frozen-raw-liver-pills/
Sarah with “The Healthy Home Economist” (2013). Exhausted? This Superfood Can Get You Off the Couch! Retrieved at https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/exhausted-this-superfood-can-get-you-off-the-couch/
Razaitis, L. (2005). Recipes & Lore About Our Most Important Sacred Food.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links for products I believe in and use on a regular basis. See more here. All content is for general information only, primarily educational in nature, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your primary health-care practitioner that you, the reader, may require for any cause whatsoever, now or in future. Please consult your primary practitioner regarding any health problem(s) you have and keep them informed to the opinions, ideas, and advice on this site that you find useful. Please email me at tara@happybellies.net for any questions or concerns that you have.
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