Not everyone likes the taste of liver, but nearly anyone can benefit from its nutrients. The liver of many different food animals can be prepared in a number of different ways in order to complement a meal rich in vitamins and minerals that help maintain your health.
The General Health Benefits of Liver
The vitamin A found in liver is beneficial to you in a number of ways. It contributes to healthy fertility and proper embryo development. It also helps children to avoid developing asthma, prevents kidney stones, regulates blood sugar and fats. Additionally, the vitamin A found in liver can protect you from some environmental toxins and helps to promote proper development during puberty, according to SteadyHealth.com. The vitamin A and arachidonic acid in liver can improve the health and appearance of your hair and skin. Arachidonic acid also contributes to hydration, intestinal health and growth.
Liver as a Source of Iron
HealthCastle.com lists beef liver, pork liver and chicken liver as excellent sources of iron. Eating foods rich in iron can help you if you suffer from iron deficiency anemia due to blood loss, a lack of iron in your diet or an inability to absorb iron. Iron deficiency anemia can also be caused by pregnancy, but liver is not recommended if you are pregnant because the high levels of vitamin A may harm your fetus.
Increased Energy from Liver
Liver has several energy-boosting qualities due to its nutrients. The carnitine can raise your energy levels, allowing you to work out and exercise longer, according to BodyBuildingForYou.com. Carnitine is synthesized in the liver and kidneys, and can prevent muscle cramping and muscle fatigue. Liver also contains lipoic acid, which the Micronutrient Information Center at Oregon State lists as an important substrate for energy production via the citric acid cycle.
Mental Benefits of Liver
Liver also contains high levels of docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA. Visual acuity, the ability to learn and the general higher brain functions associated with intelligence are all boosted by DHA, according to BodyBuildingForYou.com.
