Posted by Kelly Harrington, MS, RD
Beef liver has long been valued as a concentrated source of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals. It provides nutrients including vitamin A, vitamin B12, iron, folate, and copper, which support important functions throughout the body.
Grass-fed beef liver has also become a popular option for people interested in traditional, whole-food nutrition. For those who do not regularly eat organ meat, desiccated beef liver capsules offer another way to incorporate beef liver into a wellness routine.
What Is Grass-Fed Beef Liver?
Grass-fed beef liver comes from cattle raised on a grass-based diet. Liver is an organ meat and is naturally rich in several essential vitamins and minerals.
Beef liver is especially notable as a food source of vitamin A, vitamin B12, and copper. It also provides folate, iron, riboflavin, and protein.
Health Benefits and Nutritional Value of Grass-Fed Beef Liver
The benefits of beef liver are largely connected to the nutrients it naturally provides. Some of its most notable nutrients include vitamin A, vitamin B12, iron, folate and copper.
Key nutritional benefits of beef liver include:
- Vitamin A supports normal vision, immune function and the growth and maintenance of healthy tissues.
- Vitamin B12 supports normal red blood cell formation, nervous system function and DNA synthesis.
- Iron is an essential part of hemoglobin and helps transport oxygen throughout the body.
- Folate supports DNA synthesis, cell division and normal red blood cell formation.
- Copper supports normal energy production, connective tissue formation, iron metabolism, and nervous and immune system function.
- Protein provides amino acids the body uses to build and maintain tissues.
Beef liver is particularly concentrated in several of these nutrients. For example, NIH nutrient data identify beef liver as an especially rich food source of vitamin A, vitamin B12, and copper, while also providing meaningful amounts of folate and iron.
Why Is Beef Liver a Good Source of Vitamin A and B12?
Beef liver is one of the richest natural food sources of preformed vitamin A, also known as retinol. Preformed vitamin A can be used directly by the body and plays an important role in vision, immune function, reproduction, and normal tissue development.
Beef liver is also one of the best food sources of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is necessary for healthy red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis, and normal nervous system function.
Why Choose Grass-Fed Beef Liver?
Grass-fed refers to the way cattle are fed. Research comparing grass-fed and grain-fed beef has found differences in fat content and fatty-acid composition.
Grass-fed beef commonly contains a different balance of fatty acids, including higher levels of certain omega-3 fatty acids. However, nutritional composition can vary depending on factors such as the animal's diet, breed, environment, and production practices.
Choosing grass-fed beef liver can also be a sourcing preference for people who want products derived from cattle raised on a grass-based diet.
What Are Grass-Fed Beef Liver Capsules?
Beef liver capsules are typically made from liver that has been dried, or desiccated, and prepared in capsule form. They offer a convenient alternative for people who appreciate the nutritional value of beef liver but do not regularly prepare or eat organ meat.
Healthy Goods Grass-Fed Beef Liver is made with grass-fed, non-GMO beef liver in an easy-to-use capsule format.
Because serving sizes and processing methods differ, a beef liver supplement should not automatically be considered nutritionally identical to eating a serving of fresh or cooked liver. Always refer to the specific product label for product information and directions.
What Should You Know Before Adding Beef Liver to Your Routine?
Beef liver is naturally concentrated in certain nutrients, particularly preformed vitamin A and copper. More is not necessarily better, and total nutrient intake from both food and supplements should be considered.
People who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant should be particularly mindful of preformed vitamin A intake. Anyone with questions about iron or copper intake, existing health conditions or other supplements they are taking should speak with a qualified healthcare professional.
Grass-Fed Beef Liver Benefits: The Bottom Line
Grass-fed beef liver provides a naturally occurring combination of vitamin A, vitamin B12, iron, folate, copper and other nutrients. These nutrients contribute to normal functions including red blood cell formation, oxygen transport, energy metabolism, immune function, vision and nervous system health.
For people who do not regularly eat liver, beef liver capsules provide a convenient way to incorporate desiccated liver into their routine.
Learn more about Healthy Goods Grass-Fed Beef Liver.
