Is regular liver better than NO liver?

[CrunchyFarmGirl]

I can't seem to find any grass-fed beef liver. Whole Foods sells beef liver but it's not organic or grass-fed. I'm not sure if it's hormone/anti-biotic free though since most of their meat is. My question is whether or not it's better to eat any kind of liver than to not eat any at all, or to be selective with it since it's a filter and all....

[mombh]

I would love to know this too I can sometimes get free range chicken livers but otherwise eat just regular chicken liver????

[mbravebird]

Gosh, if it were me I'd say it would have to at least be organic, due to the possible concentrating of toxins from pesticides. Here's a place you can order it online:
http://www.grasslandbeef.com/Categor...ef+Organ+Meats

If you're using it for pills, one pound will last a loooooong time, and might be worth the shipping.

[Attached Mama]

I would think not due to the accumulation of pesticides that would be in it.. but really no idea. I take liver pills which aren't too expensvie.

[CrunchyFarmGirl]

Thanks for the link! I've been feeling the same way- that it's really not okay to eat if it's not organic, just frustrated by the amazing reviews liver has but not finding it in town.

[Rainbow2911]

I found a quote on the WAPF site that talks about supermarket liver. Sounds like they are saying that supermarket calves liver is better than none. No idea what they are basing that on though.

"One of the roles of the liver is to neutralize toxins (such as drugs, chemical agents and poisons); but the liver does not store toxins. Poisonous compounds that the body cannot neutralize and eliminate are likely to lodge in the fatty tissues and the nervous system. The liver is not a storage organ for toxins but it is a storage organ for many important nutrients (vitamins A, D, E, K, B12 and folic acid, and minerals such as copper and iron). These nutrients provide the body with some of the tools it needs to get rid of toxins.

Of course, we should consume liver from healthy animals--cattle, lamb, buffalo, hogs, chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese. The best choice is liver from animals that spend their lives outdoors and on pasture. If such a premier food is not available, the next choice is organic chicken, beef and calves liver. If supermarket liver is your only option, the best choice is calves liver, as in the U.S. beef cattle do spend their first months on pasture. Beef liver is more problematical as beef cattle are finished in feed lots. Livers from conventionally raised chicken and hogs are not recommended."

Personally if I was going to be eating it regularly I would try and get some of the good stuff mail order. But for occasional or for trying it to see if you like it then calves liver might be the way to go.

Hope that helps.

[Koalamom]

I have a good source of grass fed liver, but should I take it raw or is cooked ok?

[CrunchyFarmGirl]

Rainbow2911,
Thanks for posting that info. that was really helpful!

[mombh]

Originally Posted by CrunchyFarmGirl

Rainbow2911,
Thanks for posting that info. that was really helpful!

:

I had also been wondering about that.

[ChristieB]

The place where we get our grassfed beef sells liver, $1.49/lb., a lot cheaper than US Wellness. I don't know if they ship everywhere, but they ship to a lot of places, I do know that. Very nice folks, too. Grassroots Meats. You can't order on their website (they've explained that that would raise prices because of the standardization of orders), but you can email them or call them. And like I said, they're very nice. I eat their liver, and although I have nothing to compare it with really, I can say it's good (I can't say "very good" because I still am not loving liver ).

[mbravebird]

Originally Posted by bluebirdmama1

I have a good source of grass fed liver, but should I take it raw or is cooked ok?

My understanding is that raw is more potent and has the benefits of enzymes, but that cooked is pretty darn good too. Those of us who do it raw do it in frozen "pill" form.

Both forms are beneficial, in my understanding. I do raw because it's the only way I can guarantee I'll do it regularly, because I really don't like the taste of liver. But I *can* handle popping a few pills, which I don't taste, every day.

I'm sure I would benefit even more if I screwed up the determination to make it part of our cooked diet, as well.

I think it's just up to you, what you think works best for your preferences and cooking habits.

[CrunchyFarmGirl]

Originally Posted by ChristieB

The place where we get our grassfed beef sells liver, $1.49/lb., a lot cheaper than US Wellness. I don't know if they ship everywhere, but they ship to a lot of places, I do know that. Very nice folks, too. Grassroots Meats. You can't order on their website (they've explained that that would raise prices because of the standardization of orders), but you can email them or call them. And like I said, they're very nice. I eat their liver, and although I have nothing to compare it with really, I can say it's good (I can't say "very good" because I still am not loving liver ).

Wow, they have good prices! Thanks for posting this.

[ChristieB]

Glad I could help. And I happen to know they ship to your area, because I just asked them recently. We're trying to plan for our visit to my mom in Vancouver. They said they do have to pack dry ice in the package so it can make it to your area. But I think most places would, at least this time of year.