Introduction: The Foundation of Vitality
Red meat, particularly from grass-fed sources, is a whole food in the truest sense. It's packed with high-quality protein, essential fats, vitamins, and minerals that are bioavailable. This means our bodies can absorb and use them more efficiently than synthetic supplements.
Organ meats are often referred to as nature's multivitamins and boast an even more impressive nutrient profile. From liver, known as the powerhouse of vitamins A, D, E, and K, to heart, rich in CoQ10. These forgotten superfoods offer nutrients that are hard to find in adequate amounts in plant-based foods.
The modern diet, increasingly dominated by processed foods, simple carbohydrates, and plant-based "alternatives," has moved us away from these nutrient-dense sources of food. This shift has coincided with a rise in lifestyle diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and autoimmune conditions.
The forgotten superfoods
Historically, organ meats have been highly prized and consumed regularly across various cultural diets for their nutritional value. However, in the Western world, there has been a significant shift away from organs towards more "palatable" muscle meats. This change has led to a widespread estrangement from organs. This departure from tradition has diluted our diets of essential nutrients found abundantly in organs.
Organs, such as liver, heart, kidney and pancreas outshine muscle meats in terms of nutrient density, providing a richer source of vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients. These organs are packed with bioavailable forms of vitamin A, B vitamins (especially B12), iron, phosphorus, copper, and magnesium.
The liver is the most nutrient-dense food available, boasting significant amounts of vitamin A, essential for vision and immune function; B vitamins for energy production; and an abundance of iron, copper, and choline, critical for brain health and metabolism. Its unparalleled nutrient profile supports liver detoxification, hormone balance, and red blood cell production, offering a natural solution to nutrient deficiencies.
Incorporating organ meats into the diet can significantly mitigate common nutrient deficiencies prevalent in modern diets, such as iron deficiency anaemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, and inadequate intake of fat-soluble vitamins. Their rich nutrient content supports critical bodily functions, including energy metabolism, immune response, and neurological health, making them an essential component of a balanced and nutrient-dense diet.
Rethinking Cholesterol
Saturated fat and cholesterol have been vilified largely due to misleading interpretations of studies that failed to differentiate between the consumption of processed red meats and their unprocessed, grass-fed counterparts. Many of these studies lumped all types of red meat together, ignoring the significant nutritional differences between processed meats (which often contain harmful additives, high levels of sodium, and seed oils) and high-quality, unprocessed meats.
Click here to read our article about the truth on saturated fat and cholesterol. Find out what the health industry isn’t telling you.
Grain-fed vs grass-fed vs regenerative
When navigating the world of beef, understanding the differences between grain-fed, grass-fed, and regeneratively-raised beef is crucial for making informed dietary choices that align with health, ethical, and environmental values.
Click here to read our article and learn how beef quality affects your health through omega-3 fatty acids, CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), and antioxidants.
Creative ways to incorporate organ meats into your diet
For those unaccustomed to their flavours but looking to incorporate for the functional health benefits.
- Honey and liver: The easiest way to get the benefits of liver with a sweet and salted twist. Finely slice raw liver and drizzle over some raw honey with a sprinkle of Celtic sea salt.
- Liver pâté: A classic way to enjoy the nutritional benefits of organ meats, seasoned with spices and fresh herbs. Spread onto some organic, toasted sourdough with grass-fed butter.
- Blend with Ground Beef: One of the most popular ways to get organs into your diet due to the masking of flavour. Mix in ground organs with beef mince for burgers, meatballs or sauces.
- Fry with Herbs and Garlic: Sauté liver or heart with aromatic herbs and garlic in grass-fed butter.
- Add to Soups and Stews: Small pieces of organ meats can be added to soups and stews, where they contribute depth of flavour and nutrients.
