Liver: A nutrient-rich food
Beef liver is considered a nutrient powerhouse because it is a rich source of many important nutrients containing at least 25 known vitamins and minerals.
Liver was highly prized among early hunter-gatherers who preferred it over muscle meat. They regarded the liver as a prime source of strength and believed it carried healing powers.
Beef liver is nature’s most nutrient dense food, gram for gram nothing comes close to it – you can see the variety of primary nutrients beef liver contains in the chart below.
- Vitamin A: one of the richest sources of vitamin A, beef liver is important for maintaining healthy vision, immune function, and healthy skin.
- Vitamin B12: Beef liver is also a great source of vitamin B12, a nutrient that is vital for the production of red blood cells and nerve function.
- Iron: Beef liver is a rich source of iron, a mineral utilised for the production of haemoglobin, which carries oxygen throughout the body.
- Zinc: Beef liver is high in zinc, a mineral that supports immune function, wound healing, and cell growth and repair.
- Copper: Beef liver is also a good source of copper, which plays a role in the formation of collagen, the absorption of iron, and the production of energy in cells.
- Folate: Beef liver contains folate, a B vitamin that is important for DNA synthesis and cell growth, and is important during pregnancy.
Beef liver is the most popular of all organs. Often consumed as a dietary supplement to support overall health and wellness, as well as to treat specific conditions such as iron-deficiency anaemia, over time it has been used in various dishes in many different cuisines around the world.
We are biased having grown up in Denmark with beef liver pâté as the sandwich spread of choice. Liverwurst, and sautéed liver and onions have also been popular across Europe until recent years and these traditional wholesome dishes have sadly waned. In our modern diet, due to its distinct taste, and lack of consistent availability, liver tends to be consumed in capsule and powder forms making it easy and quick to ingest.
A previous blog ‘Iodine one of the biggest deficiencies in our modern diet’ from our blog library highlights how iodine is critical for overall health, and how we lack it in our modern diet. This is a worldwide challenge. Iodine is essential for the development of the foetal brain during pregnancy, making it a crucial nutrient for pregnant women.
Before iodized salt was introduced in the early 20th century, iodine deficiency was a widespread problem, especially in areas where the soil was deficient in iodine, such as mountainous regions and inland areas far from the sea.
Iodine deficiency was a particular problem in the United States, where the Great Lakes region, the Appalachians, and the Northwest were known to have low levels of iodine in the soil. In such cases, mental retardation and other physical health problems became prevalent, such as goitre, an enlargement of the thyroid gland.
When small amounts of iodine were added to table salt it was easy for people to get better levels of iodine and reduce the effects of having too little. Today, iodized salt is widely used across households and in food processing, such as in bread and other baked goods. This helps people to improve their iodine intake, yet it remains questionable whether it is enough.
Over the past 6 years Grassland Nutrition has produced tried and tested products that meet our ‘iodine crisis’, and we are passionate about the genuine benefits of kelp, so much so we visit our Tasmanian supplier regularly where the air is pure and only 1% of kelp is hand-harvested from the shores of the Australian Southern Ocean, the world’s cleanest environment.
Our wholefood Bull Kelp Crunch was a revelation and is delicious. It derives from freeze dried Durvillaea Potatorum, a unique species of Bull Kelp that thrives in the mixing zone of nutrients welling up from the depths of the The Great Southern Ocean. Tested 100% free of inorganic arsenic and radiation, it is particularly rich in iodine which promotes optimal thyroid function.
The benefits of combining beef liver and kelp
Liver and kelp when combined can be even more powerful. Both liver and kelp are rich in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that can support overall health and wellness. However, the combination of liver and kelp offers unique advantages compared to liver on its own.
In addition to iodine, kelp contains other minerals and antioxidants that may support liver health. For example, research has suggested that the antioxidants in kelp may help protect liver cells from damage caused by toxins and free radicals.
Another benefit of adding kelp to beef liver is that it can help to reduce inflammation in the body. Kelp contains a range of antioxidants that can help to reduce oxidative stress in the body, which is linked to chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is a significant contributor to many health issues, including heart disease, arthritis, and cancer. By reducing inflammation, kelp helps to promote overall health and wellbeing.
Finally, adding kelp to beef liver can significantly improve overall gut health. Kelp is an excellent source of prebiotics, which are essential for feeding the beneficial bacteria in the gut. These bacteria help to maintain a healthy gut microbiome, which is essential for a strong immune system and digestion. Adding kelp to beef liver can, therefore, promote healthy digestion, reduce inflammation in the gut, and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
How to include beef liver and kelp in your diet
- Try adding liver and kelp powder to minced beef to make burgers, such as this Danish-style beef burgers recipe (note that in this recipe we chose liver powder).
- Pancakes are so easy and delicious with kelp and liver powder. Simply combine two eggs and a heaped tablespoon of liver and kelp powder to make a robust and slightly salty pancake with no liver taste!
- We also love adding liver and kelp powder to beef bone broth for extra flavour.
Tips for making liver and kelp a part of your daily routine
Try Grassland Nutrition’s 2 in 1 blend either in powdered form or in capsules. This unique blend of organically sourced grass-fed beef liver and kelp is an energy optimised formulation, a combination of 2 supplements in one affordable package.
Our grass-fed grass-finished beef liver is organically sourced from the Channel Country of Outback Australia where cattle roam freely and graze on over 250 species of native herbs and grasses and herbaceous plants watered by natural rainfall. The stocking rate is around one cattle per square kilometre. We freeze dry to preserve heat sensitive vitamins, minerals and co-factors that make liver nourishing
Our certified organic kelp is sourced from the purest waters of Western Tasmania. Besides iodine, it is also a rich source of natural vitamin D – and is tested free of inorganic arsenic and radiation. We freeze dry to preserve heat sensitive nutrients, co-factors and biological activity.
Additionally, it is …
Halal sourced
Hormone, pesticide, antibiotic & GMO free
Zero fillers or flow agents
Non-defatted – left in its natural state
The bottom line
Grassland Nutrition uses the power of concentrated whole food and passes it onto customers that want to improve their health and vitality through their diet.
First time buyer? Take 10% off at the checkout with FIRST10OFF