Chicken Liver & Health

Sauteed, broiled, chopped or molded into pates, chicken livers are enjoyed in practically all cuisines. Chicken livers are nutrient-dense, meaning that they contain many healthy nutrients at a relatively low caloric cost. Not everyone can eat chicken liver safely, however, especially people at high risk for cardiovascular disease. If you have questions about whether it is appropriate in your diet, consult your physician or a registered dietitian.

Brain Health

With 290 mg per 3.5 oz portion, chicken liver is a food with one of the highest levels of choline. Choline is necessary for normal cellular functioning and for healthy brain development. The body uses it to make acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is deficient in patients with Alzheimer's disease. According to a 2004 article by Dr. Steven Zeisel of the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina, animal studies showed a remarkable improvement in memory and brain function in the offspring of mothers fed supplemental choline as compared to the offspring of mothers who did not receive choline supplements.

Heart Health

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is required by the body for building membranes and other physiological functions. Abnormally high levels of cholesterol in the blood stream can lead to its accumulation on blood vessel walls. According to the USDA Nutrient Database, a 3.5 oz. serving of pan-fried chicken livers contains 6.4 g of total fat, 2 g of saturated fat and 564 mg of cholesterol. While the saturated fats make up just 10 percent of the recommended daily value, the cholesterol in this modest serving is almost double the recommended daily value of 300 mg for people consuming 2,000 calories daily. Because high cholesterol presents a major risk factor for heart attacks, heart disease and stroke, chicken liver should be consumed sparingly.

Toxins in Liver

The liver is an organ that is involved in detoxification, and its consumption is controversial in some circles. "Prevention Magazine's Nutrition Advisor" warns that the hormones, antibiotics and chemicals fed to chickens can accumulate in their livers and pose potential dangers when eaten. However, the Weston A. Price Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to nutrition education, disagrees and states that toxins do not lodge in the liver but in fatty tissues and the nervous system. If you are concerned about the possibility of toxins in the chicken liver you consume, buy organic chicken livers from a reputable source.

Vitamins and Minerals in Chicken Liver

A 3.5 oz. serving of chicken livers is only 167 calories, but it contains 267 percent of the daily recommended value for vitamin A, 47 percent of the recommended daily value for vitamin C and 65 percent of the recommended daily value for iron. Vitamin A is known as the "anti-infective vitamin," according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, for its role in maintaining immune system health. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant necessary for the synthesis of collagen, and iron is crucial for oxygen transport, DNA synthesis and energy metabolism. The American Dietetic Association recommends getting these and other vitamins and minerals from nutrient-rich food sources like chicken livers instead of supplements.