PLEASE NOTE: The information in this blog is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider if you’re seeking medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Thanks to people like Paul Saladino and the Liver King, beef liver supplement benefits have become a hot topic of conversation. Even though it typically generates a reaction of disgust and shock, millions of people are embracing and remembering the benefits of beef liver.
Once treasured by cultures throughout the globe, the benefits of beef liver became an afterthought in a period of fast food, ultra-processed food, and a hesitance towards red meat. Yet this is all changing as chronic disease continues to take the world by storm.
In this article, we’ll explore beef liver supplement benefits, why they’re so popular, and what to look for if you decide to try it for yourself.
Beef Liver Benefits: Why is it So Powerful?
While beef liver is not exactly world-renowned for its taste, it is immensely popular given that it can make you feel energized and vital. This is due to the fact that beef liver is a nutrient powerhouse.
Beef liver can even be considered an “excellent” source of protein, vitamin A, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin B12, copper, iron, zinc, and phosphorous per FDA guidelines (1).
Organ meats such as liver can also provide minerals like zinc, iron, copper, choline, and selenium (2). Considering the nutritional value of beef liver, it’s unsurprising that it can have powerful benefits.
Nutrients in beef liver have been connected to improved energy levels, skin health, and immune function (3). Beef liver has even been used as part of protocols to treat anemia in both adults and children (4, 5).
7 Beef Liver Supplement Benefits
Although scientific studies rarely look specifically at beef liver supplements (sometimes called desiccated liver), the potential health benefits are notable. Potential beef liver supplement benefits include:
1. Nutrient Density
One of the most important beef liver supplement benefits is its nutrient density. About 3 ounces of beef liver can offer around 100% of the recommended daily intake for vitamin A and up to 50% of B vitamins, zinc, selenium, and iron (6).
These supplements can also provide vitamin E, protein, copper, folate, omega-3 fatty acids, and other beneficial nutrients that have been used to erase nutrient deficits in children (7, 8).
2. Better Taste
One of the most common hurdles in trying beef liver is its taste. For most people, it’s not enjoyable. Thankfully, you can wash down a few capsules of a beef liver supplement and avoid this hurdle entirely.
3. Bioavailability
The FDA’s definition of bioavailability is, “the fraction of ingested nutrient or active substances present in foods are absorbed and become available at the site of action.” (9).
In general, vitamins and minerals such as iron and zinc from animal sources can be more bioavailable than those from plant sources (10, 11, 12).
4. Lack of Isolation
When you choose desiccated beef liver, you’re getting an impressive selection of nutrients instead of a single isolated nutrient like synthetic vitamins. Vitamins are never isolated in nature.
5. Increased Shelf Life
As mentioned above, the processing of beef liver supplements removes moisture and can extend the shelf life of the liver (13).
6. Flexibility
While it’s always best to check with a medical professional and factor in your specific circumstances, beef liver supplements can be used by children and those with obesity, diabetes, anemia, and other challenges (14).
7. Portability
If you travel regularly or are constantly on the go, organ supplements can be a perfect alternative to fresh beef liver. Thanks to their processing and not needing refrigeration, beef liver supplements can easily be brought with you on road trips, through airports, or wherever life takes you.
What to Look For When Buying Beef Liver Supplements
You now have the option to choose from dozens of beef liver supplements. Here are some key differentiators to look out for:
- Grass-Fed & Grass-Finished: grass-fed and finished cattle may offer key benefits compared to grain-fed beef, such as a more ancestrally consistent diet, higher levels of certain nutrients, and less exposure to antibiotics.
- Third Party Testing: like any food, beef liver supplements can be exposed to contaminants like heavy metals or pesticides. Look for companies that regularly conduct testing on their products during and after manufacturing.
- A Transparent Ingredient List: beef liver supplements should ideally only contain the organ meat(s) and a gelatin capsule. Look for options free from fillers, GMOs, and other additives.
- Informed Sport Certification: this is considered to be the gold standard for quality assurance of sports nutrition around the world. Certified products are tested against more than 200 prohibited substances included on lists for major athletic organizations.
Heart & Soil checks these boxes and more, with over a dozen unique organ options and thousands of 5-star reviews (such as this review of Pure American Liver).
If you want to skip supplements entirely, fresh liver is now easily accessible. You can find beef liver at your local farmers market or in the frozen section of major grocery stores like Sprouts and Whole Foods.
Beef Liver is Making a Comeback…
In a world plagued by chronic health issues, the habit of eating beef liver is experiencing a resurgence. This food has been treasured for centuries and is now more accessible than ever, thanks to the emergence of beef liver supplements.
Their portability, long shelf life, bioavailable nutrients, and mild taste make beef liver capsules an appealing choice that can have a positive impact on your health and vitality.
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