Liver has never been on my grocery list until recently. I started my real food journey in 2008 and as I write this (2014) I am only this year getting to liver. I wish I had know about the health benefits sooner! In 2008 I was making changes because I began feeding my twin 6 month olds solid foods. I had no idea that liver was a nutrient dense food I could feed them too. Read more about nutrient baby foods and the Weston A. Price Foundation baby food introduction schedule here.
What are the health benefits of eating liver?
According to the Weston A. Price Foundation the following list of nutrients can be found in liver:
- High-quality protein
- Vitamin A
- All the B vitamins in abundance, particularly vitamin B12
- Folic acid
- A highly usable form of iron
- Trace elements such as copper, zinc and chromium; liver is our best source of copper
- An unidentified anti-fatigue factor
- CoQ10, a nutrient that is especially important for cardio-vascular function
- A good source of purines, nitrogen-containing compounds that serve as precursors for DNA and RNA.
What is the most important health benefit of liver to me?
All of the benefits above are self explanatory except number seven. This one I would like to highlight. The unidentified anti-fatigue factor is absolutely amazing (or “epic” as some would say). I started taking homemade liver pills since I am just not at the point yet where I eat liver and the results are nothing short of shocking. I have a consistent level of energy throughout the day without that dragging feeling that come around mid-afternoon.
The Weston A. Price Foundation wrote about the anti-fatigue factor and discussed a study that was done to prove the benefits:
Liver’s as-yet-unidentified anti-fatigue factor makes it a favorite with athletes and bodybuilders. The factor was described by Benjamin K. Ershoff, PhD, in a July 1951 article published in the Proceedings for the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine. Ershoff divided laboratory rats into three groups. The first ate a basic diet, fortified with 11 vitamins. The second ate the same diet, along with an additional supply of vitamin B complex. The third ate the original diet, but instead of vitamin B complex received 10 percent of rations as powdered liver.
A 1975 article published in Prevention magazine described the experiment as follows: “After several weeks, the animals were placed one by one into a drum of cold water from which they could not climb out. They literally were forced to sink or swim. Rats in the first group swam for an average 13.3 minutes before giving up. The second group, which had the added fortifications of B vitamins, swam for an average of 13.4 minutes. Of the last group of rats, the ones receiving liver, three swam for 63, 83 and 87 minutes. The other nine rats in this group were still swimming vigorously at the end of two hours when the test was terminated. Something in the liver had prevented them from becoming exhausted. To this day scientists have not been able to pin a label on this anti-fatigue factor.”
A surprise benefit of taking the liver pills!
I had a clue that this might happen because my sister has been taking liver pills for several months but I didn’t 100% believe her. My mood started changing. Not that I am a moody or depressed person but I started feeling more consistently even keeled–so to speak. That is when I started googling to see if other people had similar reactions to eating these frozen liver pills (or liver in general). I found an article by Kelly of Primally Inspired who had similar benefits! She found out that “abundant doses of bio available vitamin A,D and K were all contributing to optimum hormone production.” What I want to know is if my consumption of these liver pills is going to help fix my hormone issues? I’ll come back here with an update if/when it happens. I really hope they do! How to make frozen liver pills:
Ingredients
- Raw organic liver.
Directions
- Freeze raw organic liver for 14 days.
- Remove from freezer and thaw slightly (just enough to be able to cut it).
- Cut liver into small, pill/pea-sized pieces (small enough so you won't choke on them).
- Place a single layer of them on a freezer safe tray or dish so that they aren't touching (Optional: line with parchment paper to avoid sticking.)
- Place them in the freezer.
- Once refrozen, remove from freezer and place in a freezer safe container with a lid (or a bag) for longer storage.
- TIP: If they are stuck to the bottom of the pan, allow them to defrost for 1-2 minutes. They should come off easily.
- Store in freezer.
Notes
When you take them out of the freezer daily to take them, do not leave the bag out! You don't want them to thaw and refreeze stuck together.
How many frozen liver pills do I take?
I consume 3-4 liver pills per day. This is how I consume raw, organic liver and reap the benefits! Comment below and let me know how you get your dose of liver!
You can also learn about introducing liver to your baby in my article about Nutrient Dense Foods: Liver over at Homemade Mommy!
Wow! That’s so interesting about the anti fatigue factor. I remember getting liver when I was making my first daughter’s baby food… I tried it and was so grossed out. What a great idea, I will definitely have to try it!
You can come by a see mine. They only took about 15 minutes to cut up. No big deal. They thaw fast though so you need to get it done. Don’t get pulled away by those kiddos! 🙂
Thank you! I am so excited to try this, as I have not found a way to cook it that we can enjoy eating it. Do you have a preference between chicken or beef liver?
So far I have only tried beef liver. If you try chicken liver before I do let me know how it goes! I hope you enjoy these as much as I do!
Wow! This is such a new and innovative way to eat liver and reap the nutritional benefits. I DO NOT like liver AT ALL…ugh the smell of it cooking…bleck! But I am willing to give these frozen liver pills a try. Now to find a good organic source. Thanks! 🙂
I have never been a fan of liver. When I was a kid, I remember having chicken liver one time and finding it not as detestable as beef liver. It has a milder flavour, so I wonder if it has the same power as beef or if you’d need more. I haven’t researched it, I just wonder.
Do you get the same benefits with cooked liver?
I’m still trying to figure out how to cook liver and like it. :).
If the liver is raw all the enzymes and nutrients are most potent. Eating cooked liver still provides your body with nutrients, but some delicate vitamins, like certain B vitamins, are decreased by cooking.
Question about Frozen Liver pills,
Probably a dumb question but here goes. Do you just chew them up frozen and swallow? Do they still taste like LIVER?
I need the anti fatigue factor and the iron in the worst way but I hate the taste/smell of liver when it is cooking.
Thank you,
p.s. love your site!
JC,
I don’t taste them at all (maybe if I left them on my tongue for until they defrosted I would though). I just put one on my tongue and take a drink of water like you would to swallow a pill. When I get a bigger one that I didn’t cut up small enough, I just let it “melt” a little on my tongue until I’m comfortable swallowing it. 🙂
Hi!
Are they safe to take since they’re raw? Wouldn’t they be dangerous because of that? My kids and myself are vegetarians, but I’ve added gelatin, CLO, and have been thinking about adding liver to our diets for dental/overall health.
Thanks so much!
Yes! The quality is important, as I mentioned and also the freezing of the liver as I mentioned. 🙂
Ok, I’ve been dreading making some liver smoothies-having looked up various recipes online and not believing that any of them could totally eliminate the…ugh…flavor.
I want to eat it raw. As gross as it is to anybody I know personally-I’m a total rebel and do things according to research and experience. If its good for me-I’ll eat it-but figuring out how to get it past my mouth is tough for certain things…Ikura, liver, raw egg, anyways…
this is how I already take my FCLO so I will definitely be taking my grassfed local beef liver like this! only way more a day because I’m pregnant and need it.
I am really thankful for the idea too since I wanted to take raw liver during labor for stamina/vitamin replenishment, but couldn’t figure out how to make a smoothie at the birthing center without doing it myself (not ideal for someone in mid labor). I can just bring a frozen jar of liver pills! AND I can gross everyone out! At least I won’t tell them I’m considering eating the placenta (encapsulated) too. I gross myself out…but I like feeling good and having lots of natural vitamins for myself and babies. .
awesome solution!
Thanks Candice! It has been great for me. Have you tried using essential oils as well? I’ve added them into what I’ve been doing recently and they have really taken some of my healing to the next level. Real food has helped me so much but now essential oils have healed some issues that just weren’t wrapping up completely. Message me or email me if you want to learn more about them. lifesanityllc@gmail.com
What a great idea!!! I will defiantly be incorporating this into our daily regiment! I’ll just chop them up a little smaller for the kiddos. Btw….. my favorite way to eat liver is ground in spaghetti sauce or burgers or anything with ground beef. The most important factor is cumin. The cumin is the magic spice that cuts the harsh taste.
This is a great idea. Can you tell me why there is the 14 day freezing period?
In my research I found that this is supposed to kill off any bacteria if present.
I finally bought liver today to try this. The thought of chewing on an organ grosses me out, so this will be the only chance for me. I’ve never eaten liver in my life, at least not that I know of. Why do you freeze it 14 days first? Thank you so much for this tip. Hopefully I will be able to get my boys to try this too!
Hi Vicki! Fourteen days will ensure the elimination of pathogens and parasites.
Hi Kara,
I love your site! I was wondering if you can still freeze the liver after it is cooked. I cooked the liver, but cannot even bare the taste. I don’t want to waste it; however, so I was thinking I could freeze it. Let me know what you think! Thank you!
Megan
I would freeze it after its cooked!
I’ve had grass fed beef liver stiing in my freezer for awhile, now I can figure out what to do with them! 🙂
Great! I love it. So easy. 🙂
Kara
I live in Chile and am unsure where where, if even possible, that I could buy organic or grassfed beef. Can I use meat from the grocery store? Obviously this is not ideal, but given limited or no access, I wonder if it’s okay.
I would not use liver that you are not confident is grassfed without hormones etc.
Can it just be cut up fresh and then frozen for 14 days rather than freezing first and then cutting up?
Thank you!
Cut it up without freezing is pretty tough. Very bloody.
Where do you buy or find organic beef liver ?
I found it at my local farmers market.
Curious, why do these need to be frozen so long?
I just started frozen raw liver pills this week. Excited to see the results! Couple of things: if your liver is purchased frozen, you do not need to refreeze and wait the 14 days before you begin consuming. Also, even if you purchase organic grass fed beef, you need to make sure where you are purchasing from has good clean facilities. Freezing will kill off most stuff, but not e.coli.
And finally, if you want to find local grass fed beef ranchers, and who they sell to, this is a fabulous site:
http://www.eatwild.com/products/index.html
Click on your state to find extensive information about local ranches, restaurants, online sellers, buying clubs and farmers markets!
Here’s to YOUR health!
~deb
Hi there,
Does the liver have to be all separated while it’s in the freezer for 2 weeks to ensure none of the bacteria lives if it’s stuck together or is it OK to just throw the whole bag in and make the pills 2 weeks later? TIA
I freeze it initially in the whole piece for 2 weeks then cut it up and refreeze until solid again.
If I’ve had it frozen in my freezer on a block for over a month can I just cut it up and start taking it. Or does it have to be cut up and frozen for 2 weeks… I just don’t know if in a block there is bad stuff hiding still?
I just cut mine up and started taking it. 🙂
You say to take 3-4 liver pills a day. Can they be taken together, or do you take 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening?
I like to spread them out but I’ve also taken them all at once.