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Raw Liver: A Superior Source of Vital Nutrients
For some strange reason there continues to be marked disagreement among nutritional authorities as to the adequacy of American diets. Some, like Dr. Frederick Stare of Harvard, are convinced that the varied fare theoretically available to all, precludes the possibility of vitamin deficiency. This is contrary to my experience, which indicates that about eighty per cent of my patients show signs of Vitamin B Complex deficiency.
Average food analyses, statistics relative to minimum requirements for protein, carbohydrate, fats, minerals and vitamins, etc., have little meaning at the consumer level. They would seem applicable only to a theoretical faceless robot, with an excellent inheritance, whose enzyme systems are normal and functioning without the load of toxic chemicals to which we are all exposed these days. Such an animal probably does not exist. Our enzyme patterns are all different. Most of us have a poor inheritance resulting from increasing physical degeneration, and few of us are adequately fed.
Consider the ever-increasing incidence of degenerative diseases such as arteriosclerosis, arthritis, dental caries, pyorrhea, allergy and cancer – to name but a few. The dramatic advances in treatment of infectious diseases have not been matched by progress in understanding or control of these afflictions which cause so much misery and death in our modern civilization. Comparable advances will not occur until the biochemical approach to health and disease is universally accepted and utilized.
When doctors and nutritionists disagree, no wonder the public is confused. Glowing reports of the advantages of a high protein diet are attacked by vegetarians who insist a raw, meatless diet is the only way to health and stamina. The answer may lie in the possibility that both advocates are right. Some individuals may thrive on a high protein diet, which would not be suitable for others – and, of course the opposite is true.
The observations of Dr. Weston A. Price, as reported in Nutrition and Physical Degeneration, may help to solve the problem. (Must reading for all those interested in nutrition.) He found native tribes all over the world whose teeth were almost perfect – as long as they followed their primitive diets. Whenever they ate refined foods, their teeth rapidly decayed and their children developed crowded dental arches as well as decay. Their diets were vastly different – vegetarian, animal protein, high milk intake, blood, beetles and grubs, etc. Their food was alike in these respects: very high in vitamins and minerals, no refined or processed carbohydrates and no exposure to toxic chemicals in food, water or air. However, Dr. Price noted that the best physical specimens always consumed protein from animal, fish or fowl.
The foregoing may seem like a long introduction to the topic at hand, but it provides a background for better understanding. Healthy body cells require adequate enzyme systems. These are composed of proteins, vitamins and trace minerals. They function best without exposure to toxic chemicals, but in order to function anywhere near normal they must be supplied with the necessary raw materials mentioned above.
Jungle animals, who must kill to eat, instinctively consume the liver and other organs before muscle meat. Why? Because the liver is a storehouse of complete amino acids, iron, and trace elements such as copper and manganese, as well as Vitamin B Complex and Vitamin B-12.
It is of more than passing interest, that ninety per cent of an inbred strain of rats, when fed a cancer producing chemical, developed liver cancer. The addition of liver powder to their stock diet reduced the incidence to about twenty per cent.
Not too long ago, most young trout in hatcheries all over the country developed tumors of the liver. The causative agent has now been isolated and found to be an aflatoxin from the mold aspergillus flavus present in a cottonseed meal component of pellet feed. In the process of research, it was noted that trout given food high in liver, showed a marked reduction in cancer. This once more suggests – that in animal and fish at least – liver contains one or more cancer inhibiting agents.
Some years ago Dr. Morton Biskind of Connecticut reported that B Complex deficiency in humans could seldom be completely eradicated by the use of synthetic fractions alone. Yeast and/or liver were usually necessary to produce recovery. The late Dr. Francis Pottenger, Jr., of Monrovia used cocktails of raw liver for many years in treating deficiency states. I have had similar experiences but have found that most patients will accept desiccated raw liver in tablet form much more readily than raw liver itself. (Perhaps my persuasive powers are not as great as those of Dr. Pottenger.) In addition, high potency B Complex preparations are usually needed.
The feeding techniques used to fatten domestic animals and fowl often produce fatty or cirrhotic livers. Those showing gross involvement are not marketed, but a source of healthy raw liver as a B Complex supplement seems desirable.
Because I had heard tales of toxic reactions from polar bear liver and seal liver, I did some investigating. Bear liver and one variety of seal liver contained as high as 18,000 units of Vitamin A per gram (540,000 units per ounce). Since hungry explorers might easily eat 8 ounces, they would thus consume over 4 million units of Vitamin A at one meal – with resultant immediate and serious illness. Incidentally, toxic reactions have been reported in humans who consumed 100,000 units or more of Vitamin A daily for six months or more. Children are more susceptible.
As things now stand, tablets of desiccated raw liver from relatively uncontaminated animals would seem to be an excellent source of the nutrients present in liver, plus a bonus of vitamin A in natural form. The only precaution for those taking supplemental amounts of vitamin A, who wish the benefits of raw liver, would be to read the label to be sure their total intake is below toxic limits. (Such individuals would be wise to check with their physicians as to the amount of vitamin A advisable.)
Since animal organs such as liver are high in purines, large amounts taken daily over a period of time can precipitate gout in susceptible persons.
As long as these precautions are kept in mind, moderate amounts (5-10 grams) of desiccated raw liver would seem to be a logical and valuable addition to the average American diet. Four to six ounces of almost raw liver from an uncontaminated source two or three times weekly is even better nutritional insurance.
Published in the PPNF Membership Bulletin
Winter 1978 | Volume 3, Number 4
Copyright © 1978 Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation, Inc.®
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