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Unveiling the Liver’s Truth: Nutrient Goldmine or Toxic Trap?

In the world of nutrition, there’s much debate surrounding various foods. One such topic that often sparks heated discussions is the consumption of organ meats, particularly liver. For some, the idea of eating an organ whose primary function is to filter out toxins might sound like a crazy notion, but delving deeper into the science, we’ll uncover that the liver’s role as a superfood has many benefits for human health.

Liver’s Role in Detoxification

It’s true that one of the liver’s key functions is detoxification. This organ plays a central role in metabolising and breaking down toxins, drugs, and other harmful substances, converting them into less harmful compounds that can be excreted from the body. However, there’s a common misconception that by eating liver, you’re ingesting all the toxins it has filtered out. This is far from accurate.

While it’s true that toxins can accumulate in animal tissues, modern farming practices and food safety regulations ensure that the liver (and other organs) from animals raised for consumption are safe to eat. Rigorous inspections and quality control measures are in place to minimise the risk of consuming harmful substances.

The Nutritional Profile of Liver

Now that we’ve addressed the detoxification myth, let’s delve into the impressive nutritional profile that makes liver a true superfood.

Rich in Vitamins and Minerals: Liver is a powerhouse of essential nutrients, including vitamin A, vitamin B12, folate, iron, zinc, and selenium. These nutrients play pivotal roles in various bodily functions, such as immune support, energy metabolism, and cellular health.

High-Quality Protein: Liver is an excellent source of high-quality protein, containing all the essential amino acids your body needs for muscle growth, repair, and overall health.

Bioavailability: Liver is incredibly bioavailable, meaning that the nutrients it contains are easily absorbed and utilised by the body. This makes it a valuable source of nutrients, especially for individuals with nutrient deficiencies.

Support for Anemia: Due to its high iron content, liver can be beneficial for those with anemia or iron-deficiency. The iron found in liver is heme iron, which is more easily absorbed by the body compared to non-heme iron found in plant-based sources.

Promotes Brain Health: The presence of vitamin B12 and other B vitamins in liver can support cognitive function and brain health.

Incorporating Liver Safely and Deliciously

If you’re intrigued by the potential benefits of liver as a superfood, here’s a few tips:

Source Matters: Opt for liver from reputable sources, ideally organically raised and pastured animals. This reduces the risk of consuming harmful substances.

Liver is nutrient-dense, so a small serving goes a long way in providing essential nutrients.

Variety in Cooking: Liver can be prepared in various ways, from pâtés and sautés to incorporating it into stews or even as an ingredient in 100% beef mince. Experiment with flavours and recipes to suit your palate.

The belief that liver is detrimental due to its role in detoxification is a common myth. While the liver is indeed involved in detoxifying the body, the notion that it contains all the toxins it filters out is far from the truth. Instead, liver is unquestionably a superfood brimming with essential nutrients that provides many health benefits when consumed regularly. By understanding the science behind livers’ nutrient content, we can make informed dietary choices that contribute positively to our overall health and wellbeing.

If you want to try liver for yourself to feel the difference it can make, Grassland Nutrition offers an easy and convenient way to begin your journey to better health. Our freeze-dried 100% organic sourced beef liver capsules, powders and wholefood chunks come with recommended daily amounts and serving suggestions. You can review a variety of different ways to add beef liver to your meals in our recipes

Purchase online, or possibly, at a store near you

Improve kidney health by adding beef kidney to your diet

World Kidney Day is a global initiative that highlights the importance of kidney health and the impact of kidney diseases on millions of people worldwide. 

To prevent kidney damage, it is crucial to promote education, timely detection, and healthy lifestyle habits in children from an early age. The kidneys play vital roles in maintaining the overall health and balance of the body, including filtering waste products, regulating electrolytes, controlling blood pressure, producing hormones, and activating vitamin D.

To improve kidney health, it is essential to include nutrient-dense foods in your diet, such as beef kidneys. Grassland Nutrition manufactures organic sourced freeze-dried beef organs, and we advocate supplementing everyday or specialist diets with beef kidneys as they are a rich source of several essential nutrients, including high-quality protein, iron, zinc, selenium, and vitamin B12.

Why we choose beef kidneys as an essential dietary supplement

To expand on the many essential nutrients listed above, here is why we choose to add beef kidneys:

  • Protein: Beef kidneys are a good source of high-quality protein, which is essential 
  • for building and repairing tissues in the body.
  • Iron: Beef kidneys contain iron, which is important for healthy red blood cells and proper oxygenation of the body.
  • Zinc: Beef kidneys are also a source of zinc, which is necessary for immune function, wound healing, and healthy skin.
  • Selenium: Beef kidneys contain selenium, an antioxidant mineral that helps protect cells from damage and supports thyroid function.
  • Vitamin B12: Beef kidneys are rich in vitamin B12, which is essential for maintaining healthy nerve cells and producing red blood cells.

Why choose kidney over other organs?

Consuming beef kidneys can provide various potential benefits to your health. High-quality protein in beef kidneys is essential for building and repairing tissues in the body, while iron is necessary for healthy red blood cells and proper oxygenation of the body. 

Zinc in beef kidneys is vital for immune function, wound healing, and healthy skin, and selenium is an antioxidant mineral that protects cells from damage and supports thyroid function. Additionally, beef kidneys are rich in vitamin B12, which is essential for maintaining healthy nerve cells and producing red blood cells.

Compared to other organs, beef kidneys are an excellent choice due to their high nutrient content. 

For individuals with allergies, beef kidney is beneficial as they contain Diamine Oxidase (DAO), which breaks down excess histamine, providing relief for itchy skin, natural decongestant, and a natural remedy for headaches. 

In addition to its other potential health benefits, consuming beef kidneys may also protect fertility due to the presence of a rare amino acid. Ergothioneine is an antioxidant that is found in certain types of mushrooms and some animal tissues, including beef kidneys.

Research has shown that ergothioneine may help protect the body from oxidative stress, which is a type of damage caused by free radicals. Oxidative stress has been linked to several health issues, including infertility. Free radicals have been known to damage sperm and egg cells, which can impair fertility.

Ergothioneine may also help protect female fertility by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the reproductive system. Inflammation is linked to a number of reproductive disorders, including endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). By reducing inflammation, ergothioneine may help protect against these conditions and improve overall reproductive health.

Studies show that ergothioneine may help protect the male reproductive system by reducing oxidative stress and improving sperm quality. A study(1) published in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics found that men with lower levels of ergothioneine had lower sperm counts and reduced sperm motility, while men with higher levels of ergothioneine had healthier sperm.

In conclusion, adding beef kidneys to your diet can improve your kidney health by providing essential nutrients that support various bodily functions, including protecting fertility and improving reproductive health in both men and women. Beef kidneys are therefore an excellent choice for a healthy and balanced diet!

Try beef kidney and feel the difference

If you’d like to try freeze-dried kidney whole food snacks for yourself, click here to grab a bag and let us know what you think!

  1. Kaczmarek, A., Habrowska-Górczyńska, D. E., & Piasecka, M. (2018). Ergothioneine level in seminal plasma relates to sperm quality. Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics, 35(9), 1661-1667.

Active Form of Vitamin A

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Why Liver and Kelp?

 

“Something in the liver had prevented them from becoming exhausted.”
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Natures most perfect farm

The Source Matters

Grassland Nutrition sources all of it’s raw organic liver exclusively from OBE Organic is one of the world’s most respected producers of certified organic, grass-fed beef. When we started this venture we wanted to ensure our liver was organic and completely grass fed from natural sources. The OBE Organic group was founded in the early 1990s by a far-sighted group of Australian farming families which are continuing century-old family traditions.

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