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Leader Of The Pack

Imagine you are a wolf, a higher ranking wolf in the pack. If this is you you will be lucky enough to eat the vital organs of the packs fresh kill. The heart, liver and kidneys provide multiple advantages to your placement in the pack. Not only do they give you a distinct scent to let everyone else know your rank but the vital nutrients in these organs will actually alter the coloration of your wolf face and fur. An alphas face will have darker, more distinct markings while lower ranking wolves will have softer colors. Do you want to be the alpha wolf of the pack? 

Liver And Onions

I’m sure you have heard or even tasted the famous dish of generations past, liver and onions. Most reactions to eating liver result is that of disgust or disapproval, even taboo to some. Did you know that grass fed liver actually provides natures most nutrient dense superfood? Here is a breakdown according to this website: 

Here are some nutrients found in a 3.5-ounce serving of beef liver:

• Vitamin B-12: 3,460% of the RDI. Vitamin B12 helps the formation of red blood cells and DNA. It is also involved in healthy brain function.
• Vitamin A: 860: 1,100% of the RDI. Vitamin A is important for normal vision, immune function and reproduction. It also helps organs like the heart and kidneys function properly.
• Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2): 210–260% of the RDI. Riboflavin is important for cellular development and function. It also helps turn food into energy.
• Folate (Vitamin B-9): 65% of the RDI. Folate is an essential nutrient that plays a role in cell growth and the formation of DNA.
• Iron: 80% of the RDI, or 35% for women of menstruating age. Iron is another essential nutrient that helps carry oxygen around the body. The iron in liver is heme iron, the kind most easily absorbed by the body.
• Copper: 1,620% of the RDI. Copper acts like a key to activate a number of enzymes, which then help regulate energy production, iron metabolism and brain function. The body also cannot maintain normal magnesium levels in the blood if copper is low
• Choline: Liver provides all of the Adequate Intake (AI) for women and nearly all of it for men. Choline is important for brain development and liver function.

Liver In A Pill And Other Organ Meats

According to this website: “Liver is one of the most nutritionally dense foods on the planet.  As provided above you can see It contains significant amounts of folate, iron, vitamin B, vitamin A, and copper. Eating a single serving of liver can help you meet your daily recommended amount of all of these vitamins and minerals, reducing your risk of nutrient deficiency.”

Here at Well balanced Center For Integrative Health we recommend Vital Proteins desiccated 100% grass fed beef liver. One of the reasons we stand behind this product is because it is third party tested for purity and quality and additionally tested for BSE . Liver also really does provide an energy boost without the crash like you get from caffeine. The recommended dose is 4-6 pills in the first part of the day to give you that extra edge. Many prefer this food based nutrient to a multivitamin for the simple fact that the inherent vitamins are more bioavailable in food form.

Kidney, Heart and Spleen Oh My!

Have you ever heard of Offal? Some would say offal is awful because it refers to all of the organs meats that are typically byproducts from commonly consumed animal products. Interestingly in the past few years not only is liver making a come back but so are other organ meats such as kidney, heart and spleen. 

According to Organuary’s website, offal deserves more attention due to organs’ nutritional profiles. Heart muscle, as far as we know, is rich in the powerful antioxidant CoQ10. Kidneys deliver selenium, a mineral that is vital for immune function and hormone health. And spleen rich in iron , B vitamins and vitamin C. Nose to tail eating, as it has been deemed is rising in popularity. This is because organ meats can typically be found cheaper than most cuts of beef, lamb or duck and they pack more of a nutritional punch. These organs can be deliciously prepared on their own, put into sausages or even morning smoothies. But for the tender stomached individuals, are sold in capsules so that there is no taste at all, only benefit.

Where To Find And What

Without a doubt, when sourcing organ meats, always go for 100% grass fed and grass finished animals. This is because grass fed animal and organ meats from ruminant animals provide high quality omega 3’s, are richer in antioxidants, beta-carotene, vitamin B, C & E vitamins than corn and grain fed animals. Moreover, the nutritional value of beef finished on corn and grains is reduced substantially. Pasture raised animals also have less of an impact on the environment than factory farmed meats.

Brands we recommend are as mentioned above, Vital Proteins, Heart & Soil Supplements, Ancestral Supplements and your local butcher shop or farm for grass fed organs. If you want to be an alpha in your wolf pack try organ meats today and everyday!

Written by Kileen Swenson LAc MAOM