In today’s growing world, endless diets, tips, and supplements are available on the market. While animal organ complex supplements are not as popular as supplements such as Vitamin C or B12, it is steadily garnering attention due to its nutritional benefits.
We’ll explore the benefits and side effects of organ complex supplements in this article.
What Are Organ Complex Supplements?
Organ meat or Offal refers to an animal’s organs for consumption like livers, brain, hearts, kidneys, gallbladder, adrenal glands, and intestines.
Organ complex supplements contain dried, dehydrated, frozen, powdered, and encapsulated organs. The most common organ supplement consumed is from cows.
According to some manufacturers, 4 organ supplement capsules a day provides [1]:
- 4% of the daily value (DV) for iron
- 160% of DV for vitamin B12
- 100% of DV for vitamin B6
- 70% for Vitamin A
- 320% for thiamin
Organ Complex Benefits
Organ meat provides several health benefits. Each organ has specific properties and nutrients that are good for your body.
The supplements are good sources of several vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc, and B-vitamins.
Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of organ supplements.
Do note that some of these benefits are not backed by concrete studies. Hence, more research may be warranted to confirm the benefits of organ complex supplements in humans.
1. Boosts Energy
Animal organs like the liver, kidney, spleen, and heart are power-packed with iron. If you have iron deficiency, you feel low on energy levels and fatigued. Consuming organ supplements can help in improving your energy levels [2].
2. Helps with Cognitive Function
Beef liver contains selenium that helps the brain to function correctly, especially in older people. It also contains copper, which promotes cognitive performance [3].
Beef organ supplements also contain Niacin, i.e., Vitamin B3, which supports healthy cognitive functioning.
3. Maintains the Immune System
Organ supplements contain Vitamins A, C, D, and K2 in bioavailable forms. All these vitamins help to maintain a healthy immune system both individually and together.
The beef supplement is also rich in zinc, which is vital for making your immune system work properly.
4. Promotes Bone Health
The vitamins A, C, D, and K2 in supplements are crucial for maintaining bone health. Vitamin D helps your body to absorb calcium, vitamin A helps to utilize it, and Vitamin K2 distributes it to the places that require it.
5. Supports Digestion
Beef organ complex contains co-enzymes that boost your digestion and peptides like trypsin, and colipase, which activate the enzymes to break down protein and reduce food allergies.
6. Improves Your Heart Health
Organ supplements contain a high level of Vitamin B12 and folate. When you combine these, it helps to moderate blood homocysteine levels.
The peptide present in the supplement also strengthens the heart’s overall functions.
7. Boosts Fertility
The kidney contains the amino acid Ergothioneine, which helps in promoting fertility. The supplements are also loaded with Vitamin B12 and amino acid, which promotes fertility and development of the infant.
Traditional societies were unaware of organ meat benefits, but they believed it helps with fertility. Today research shows that Vitamins D, C, E, and B12 and zinc present in organ meat can boost fertility [4].
8. Reduces the Risk of Alzheimer’s
Research studies suggest that vitamin B1 (Thiamin) in organ supplements may help lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. It can reduce the risk of memory loss and the formation of plaque.
9. Lowers the Risk of Cancer
Vitamin B2, or riboflavin, is found in the liver and kidney in the organ meat. Low levels of riboflavin in the body can lead to the development of esophagus cancer.
In this sense, organ complex supplements may help in reducing the risk of developing cancer.
10. Lowers the Risk of Heart Disease
The organ complex contains many nutrients, including Vitamin B12 and folate, that help moderate homocysteine. High levels of homocysteine increase the risk of heart disease. These supplements are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which is beneficial for maintaining a healthy heart.
11. Helps in Losing Weight
The organ supplement contains peptide, which helps reduce hunger pangs and further reduces healthy weight loss. It also helps in balancing your blood sugar.
Vitamin B in organ supplements helps burn fat, improving your body composition.
Organ supplements may also improve body fats and mitochondria’s function, resulting in losing unwanted weight [5].
Organ Complex Risks and Side Effects
Consuming organ complexes has been found safe for most people. However, there is still not enough research to support its safety.
There are few side-effects raised on consuming organ complex.
1. Increases Cholesterol levels
Organ meat is high in cholesterol, especially heart and liver. Therefore, it can raise cholesterol levels, resulting in heart attack and stroke.
Before taking these supplements, you should speak to your healthcare provider [6].
2. Fatty Liver Disease
Organ complex supplements may increase your risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases. However, there is not enough research on this available.
3. Excess vitamin A and Iron in the Body
Organ supplements can result in an overdose of Vitamin A and iron. Excess vitamin A in the body can cause congenital disabilities, while excess iron can result in iron overload disorder.
Other Risks
You should avoid taking organ supplements if you have gout issues. It can result in joint damage.
If you are diagnosed with hemochromatosis, i.e., iron overload disease, you should not take these supplements.
FAQs
Is organ complex good for you?
Organ complex offers many health benefits. They are high in vitamins, minerals, and peptides (rare amino acids).
You should consume these supplements in moderation after consulting a health care professional.
What is a beef organ complex?
It is a dietary supplement that contains dried animal organs—the most common organs found in organ complexes include the liver, heart, kidney, spleen, and pancreas.
What to keep in mind before buying organ supplements?
Ensure these things before buying an organ supplement. Firstly, opt for a supplement sourced from animals that are grass-fed and pasture-raised. Plus, try to look for a supplement that is pesticide and GMO-free, is 3rd party tested for purity, and contains no fillers.
Bottomline: Organ Complex Supplements Benefits and Risks
Organ complex supplements are power-packed with nutrients, minerals, and vitamins. It contains dried, frozen animal organs in powder/pills.
Ensure that the organ supplement is grass-fed, GMO-free, third-party tested, no fillers, pesticide-free, and pasture-raised when you purchase one.
Organ supplements are high in nutrition but may have side effects. Speak to your health care professional before including it in your diet.
Disclaimer: This article is only a guide. It does not substitute the advice given by your own healthcare professional. Before making any health-related decision, consult your healthcare professional.
Editorial References and Fact Checking
- FDA 101: Dietary Supplements. (2022, June 2). U.S. Food And Drug Administration. Retrieved September 20, 2022, from https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/fda-101-dietary-supplements
- Beef Organ Meat Supplements: Health Benefits and Top Brands to Buy. (2022, June 6). Dr. Robert Kiltz. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://www.doctorkiltz.com/organ-meat-supplements/#iron-nutrition-and-absorption
- Beef Organ Meat Supplements: Health Benefits and Top Brands to Buy. (2022, June 6). Dr. Robert Kiltz. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://www.doctorkiltz.com/organ-meat-supplements/#iron-nutrition-and-absorption
- John S. O’Brien, George Rouser, The fatty acid composition of brain sphingolipids: sphingomyelin, ceramide, cerebroside, and cerebroside sulfate, Journal of Lipid Research, Volume 5, Issue 3, 1964, Pages 339-342, ISSN 0022-2275, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-2275(20)40202-0. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022227520402020)
- Ebisch IM, Thomas CM, Peters WH, Braat DD, Steegers-Theunissen RP. The importance of folate, zinc and antioxidants in the pathogenesis and prevention of subfertility. Hum Reprod Update. 2007 Mar-Apr;13(2):163-74. doi: 10.1093/humupd/dml054. Epub 2006 Nov 11. PMID: 17099205.
- Al-Massadi, O. (2018, August 1). Ghrelin and LEAP-2: Rivals in Energy Metabolism. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://www.cell.com/trends/pharmacological-sciences/references/S0165-6147(18)30101-9#secsect0065
