The Benefits of Beef Liver on the GAPS Diet

Integrating Organ Meats into Your Routine

The Crucial Role of Organ Meats Liver: Bioavailable Vitamins for the Body

There lies a gem often overlooked when people begin to reintroduce meat into their diets: organ meats. Many of us either remember our grandparents making something with liver or don’t have much experience eating organ meats at all until hearing about them on the GAPS diet.

I usually cut to the chase and offer up the recipe first, with a background later (nay to the endless blog recipe scroll), but I think it’s important to revel in what organ meats can do for our bodies and shake off our fear of them first:

A Nutritional Heritage Rediscovered

Across generations, organ meats have been treasured components of traditional diets worldwide. Many cultures recognize their unmatched nutritional value, incorporating them into various culinary traditions. Yet, the importance of organ meats has been sidelined in modern diets. The GAPS diet rekindles this age-old wisdom, acknowledging their unparalleled benefits of bioavailable nutrients promoting gut health, restoring the balance of the gut microbiome, and enhancing nutrient absorption.

Beef Liver Pills: A Concentrated Elixir of Bioavailable B Vitamins

Within this realm of organ meats, beef liver emerges as a true nutritional gem. Its nutrient profile stands unrivaled, particularly in its abundance of B vitamins - B12, B6, riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), and folate (B9). These B vitamins are integral to diverse bodily functions, encompassing energy production, neurotransmitter synthesis, and DNA repair.

Unlocking Bioavailability

The beauty of beef liver lies not only in their abundant B vitamins but also in their inherent bioavailability. These vitamins exist in their active forms, effortlessly assimilated by the body. This facet is particularly beneficial for individuals grappling with MTHFR mutations, as the process of converting B vitamins into their active states can be challenging. Beef liver pills, ideally homemade or in supplement form, offer a dependable source of readily usable nutrients, facilitating the body's methylation processes. Make sure to take your beef liver pills with a source of fat, like a GAPS shake or with a cup of meat stock for proper absorption.

Here’s a break down of the nutrients found in beef liver:

Vitamin A: Beef liver is a powerhouse of vitamin A, which is crucial for maintaining healthy vision, skin, and mucous membranes. It also plays a vital role in immune function and supports cell growth and differentiation.

Vitamin B12: This vitamin is essential for nerve function, DNA synthesis, and the production of red blood cells. It can help prevent anemia and is crucial for maintaining healthy brain function.

Folate (Vitamin B9): Folate is important for DNA synthesis and repair. It's especially vital during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects in the developing fetus. Folate also supports mental health by contributing to the production of neurotransmitters.

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): Riboflavin is necessary for converting food into energy. It plays a role in maintaining healthy skin, eyes, and nerve functions. It's also involved in the metabolism of other B vitamins.

Niacin (Vitamin B3): Niacin is essential for DNA repair, producing energy from food, and maintaining healthy skin and nerves. It's been linked to improved cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): Vitamin B6 is involved in over 100 enzyme reactions in the body, including those related to metabolism, neurotransmitter production, and immune function. It plays a key role in mood regulation.

Vitamin D: Beef liver contains small amounts of vitamin D, which is crucial for bone health, immune function, and overall well-being. It helps the body absorb calcium, which is necessary for strong bones and teeth.

Vitamin E: Although present in smaller amounts, vitamin E in beef liver is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from oxidative damage. It supports immune function and skin health.

Vitamin K: Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting and bone health. It plays a key role in maintaining healthy bones and preventing excessive bleeding.

Vitamin C: While beef liver doesn't contain high levels of vitamin C, it's worth noting that vitamin C enhances the absorption of non-heme iron (the type of iron found in plant-based foods), which can complement the iron content of beef liver.

Zinc: Zinc, another mineral found in beef liver, plays a role in regulating mood and emotions. It is involved in the production and function of neurotransmitters, and a deficiency in zinc can contribute to mood disorders like depression.

MTHFR MUTATION & EHLERS-DANLOS SYNDROME

The MTHFR mutation can affect the body's ability to process folate, potentially leading to elevated homocysteine levels and various health issues, including pain. Recent findings from Tulane University School of Medicine suggest that a variation of the MTHFR gene, leading to a deficiency of folate, may be linked to hypermobility and connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). This discovery could help diagnose hypermobility and EDS more accurately by looking for elevated folate levels in blood tests and the MTHFR genetic variant.

People with this genetic variant can't metabolize folate, causing unmetabolized folate to accumulate in the bloodstream. This folate deficiency in other body tissues prevents key proteins from binding collagen to the extracellular matrix, contributing to more elastic connective tissue, hypermobility, and related conditions.

The exciting part is that a treatment already exists: methylated folate, which is FDA-approved and widely available. This treatment has shown promise in improving symptoms, such as pain, brain fog, allergies, and gastrointestinal issues, although further research is needed. This breakthrough offers hope for those with hypermobility and hypermobile EDS, conditions that were previously poorly understood and often lacked effective treatment options.

B vitamins in beef liver are naturally methylated, making them readily usable by individuals with MTHFR mutations, offering essential support. They’re also easier on the pocketbook than many supplements out there.

When I started the GAPS Diet, I was already taking methylated folate because I already knew I had a double dose of the MTHFR mutation (thanks mom & dad!). After switching to beef liver pills, I noticed a decrease in pain, an increase in energy & elevated mood, even more so than when I was taking folate pills alone. Whenever possible, getting available nutrients from food is always more accepted by the body. Check out Dr. Natasha’s beef liver pills below!

Raw Beef Liver “Pills” Recipe

Dr. Natasha recommends eating at least one liver meal a week for some, and others (especially with MTHFR mutation) to have about a handful’s worth of liver daily.

Beef liver “pills” are an easy way to incorporate liver into your diet if you don’t like the taste. Down about a handful in spoonfuls of warm broth and shoot back like pills for optimum taste disguise.

Ingredients/Materials

• 1 lb beef liver frozen for at least two weeks to kill bacteria, defrosted

• 1 blender or food processor

• stainless steel cookie sheet or glass pan

• parchment paper for pan

• spatula

Instructions

• Blend defrosted beef liver in a blender or food processor until smooth.

• Pour out the liver onto a pan lined with parchment paper

• Freeze until solid

• Cut into cubes, refreeze and store in a jar, cut off strips at a time, or shave off from the frozen block with a grater to use.

• Take with spoonfuls of meat stock to further mask the flavor.

As someone who is on the other side of fearing organ meats, I notice when I haven’t had liver in a few days. Liver pills help keep my energy up, regulate my mood & make an impact on my ability to strength train. Try them out and let me know what you think!