Originally published August 25 2014
The many health benefits of consuming organ meats
by Dr. David Jockers
(NaturalNews) Organ meats were a staple part of our ancestors diets and provided a tremendous nutritional benefit to groups of people who had limited access to other nutrient dense foods. Our current society has no emphasis on organ meats and they are mostly avoided. Consuming organ meats on a regular basis can provide one with incredible health and performance benefits.
Our ancestors experienced times of feast and famine and had to make the most out of each calorie source they had access too. When they killed an animal they would consume every part of the animal. The native Americans and other tribal groups and the original healers believed that eating the organs from a healthy animal would improve the health of the organs of the individual.
Here are some organ meats that you may benefit from including in your diet. These should all be from organic, grass-fed or pasture-raised animals and not ever from industrial farm raised animals.
Tongue
This is actually more of a muscle than an organ but it does contain a high percentage of calories from fat. Most tongue is about 70 percent fatty acids, making it one of the most tender cuts of beef. Most people really enjoy the flavor of tongue more than ground beef and steaks. It is also easy to prepare and can be used in a variety of different recipes.
Heart
Heart doesn't look very edible but most are quite surprised to know that it tastes good! Many have compared its taste and texture to that of steak or brisket. This is a great source of iron, zinc, selenium, B vitamins such as B2, B6, Folate and B12. The heart is especially rich in CoQ10 which is vital for mitochondrial health and energy production.
Most people with chronic health conditions are deficient in CoQ10 and have mitochondrial damage. Heart is the best overall food source of CoQ10. Bison, buffalo, venison and beef heart are the richest sources of this powerful nutrient. Heart does not have a lot of fat and is quite lean and muscular. Many enjoy it ground down and added to a ground beef mix.
Liver
Liver is by far the most nutrient dense organ meat to consume. It is perhaps the most nutrient dense food on the planet and contains specific bioavailable forms of nutrient complexes that are very challenging to get elsewhere.
Liver is a powerful source of pre-formed vitamin A, also called retinol. Three ounces of beef liver is estimated to contain about 26,973 IU of vitamin A, chicken liver contain roughly 15,306 IU. Cod liver oil is another powerful source of retinol but eating liver on a biweekly basis can provide the amount you need for optimal health.
Liver is very rich in bioavailable folate, choline and B12 which are nutrients necessary for a number of major functions in the body. Many individuals who are following a healthy lifestyle opt for a diet rich in sustainably raised, organic muscle meat. While this meat has its benefits it is also quite high in methionine. Elevated methionine increases homocysteine production. A few of the key nutrients needed to reduce homocysteine levels include folate, choline and B12.
Most people don't have much of a taste for liver and some downright hate it. I recommend cooking it in a stew or mixing it into ground beef at an 80/20 (80 percent ground beef and 20 percent ground liver) and most never even notice. This is the best way to get it into your children's diet as they will not even tell the difference if you use this ratio and make naked beef burgers.
Sources for this article include:
http://www.naturalnews.com
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/organ-meats/#axzz2vrXB3Eh6
http://chriskresser.com/how-to-eat-more-organ-meats
About the author:
Dr David Jockers is a Maximized Living doctor and owns and operates Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, Georgia where he specializes in functional nutrition, functional medicine and corrective chiropractic care to get to the underlying cause of major health problems.
His website features great articles on natural health and incredible recipes. He is the author of the best-selling book SuperCharge Your Brain - the complete guide to radically improve your mood, memory and mindset. He has over 50,000 active followers on his social media and email newsletter and is a big influencer in the Primal Health movement.
Dr. Jockers is also available for long distance consultations and health coaching to help you beat disease and reach your health goals. For more information got to www.drjockers.com
Dr David Jockers is a Maximized Living doctor and owns and operates Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, Georgia where he specializes in functional nutrition, functional medicine and corrective chiropractic care to get to the underlying cause of major health problems.
His website features great articles on natural health and incredible recipes. He is the author of the best-selling book SuperCharge Your Brain - the complete guide to radically improve your mood, memory and mindset. He has over 50,000 active followers on his social media and email newsletter and is a big influencer in the Primal Health movement.
Dr. Jockers is also available for long distance consultations and health coaching to help you beat disease and reach your health goals. For more information got to www.drjockers.com
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