The liver is an organ meat that promises many health benefits along with a delicious taste. Organ meat is a vital part of a carnivore, paleo, or any ancestral diet.
Liver has vitamins, minerals, and proteins. As eating nose to tail gains traction, you have to choose which animal’s liver is best for you. This can be quite confusing.
Here we explain the similarities and differences between cod liver and beef liver, so you can decide which is best for your health.
Cod liver is rich in long-chain omega 3 fatty acids, EPA, DHA, vitamin A, vitamin D. Cod liver is the best choice when it comes to fighting inflammation. The anti-inflammatory properties of the cod liver make it beneficial for arthritis, joints pain, weight loss, edema, heart diseases.
Cod liver oil is a rich source of vitamin D and thus prevents rickets, bone resorption. We are usually vitamin D deficient because of a low-quality diet and less exposure to the sun. This can lead to metabolic syndrome. Adding Cod liver can help with fulfilling the need for vitamin D.
Cod liver oil provides vitamin A that keeps your eyes healthy and prevents night blindness. Omega-3 fatty acids are only found in limited foods but they are essential for our health. Adding Omega-3s can help with good cholesterol synthesis, heart diseases, and inflammation.
DHA found in Cod liver improves the cognitive function of the brain.
About Beef Liver
Beef liver is a cheap yet nutritional organ meat. It provides you with protein, vitamin A, zinc, selenium, vitamin C, cholesterol, iron, vitamin B12, copper, phosphorus, and peptides.
Zinc present in liver meat protects your immune system. Phosphorus strengthens bones and gums. Selenium boosts your metabolism and keeps you fit.
Beef liver is the best source of iron. If your body is deficient in iron, you can get anemia (low hemoglobin in your blood). Including beef liver in your diet can help prevent anemia and you will stay energetic and fit.
Anyone looking to gain muscle should note that beef liver is 20% protein, which makes it good for strength training. Beef liver can also boost testosterone.
Cod Liver Vs Beef Liver: Which is a Better Choice?
You should add both to your diet as both offer different nutrients.
If you are obese or a heart patient, then you should prefer cod liver because it contains omega-3 fatty acids that help your heart, and vitamin D. But if you are looking to gain strength but have poor health, then adding beef liver to your diet can boost your health and hemoglobin levels.
Both cod liver and beef liver are rich in vitamin A, which is essential for your skin. However, cod liver and beef liver if consumed in excess can cause vitamin A toxicity that can damage your liver, bones, and vision.
We suggest eating both several times a week, but not daily.
You can also check out the difference between beef liver vs lamb liver — lamb liver is more expensive, but many people think it’s tastier.
Hi Lee, we’d suggest eating beef liver twice a week as a foundation, and then adding another liver (such as chicken, pork, or cod) or other organ meats up to twice a week in addition (for four servings total). Although Vitamin A toxicity is reported as a concern, four meals of liver/organ meat won’t bring you anywhere near to that level. The important thing is to listen to your body — most people start slow, but the more liver they eat, the more they find themselves craving it. I hope that helps!
If a person wanted to have canned cod liver everyday (perhaps as an experiment) how often should they get a serum vitamin A blood test to monitor their levels?
We’d recommend discussing this with a medical professional who knows your personal medical history. While cod liver has many benefits, we only advocate eating it as part of a balanced ancestral diet.
You suggest eating both several times a week. Do you mean eating cod twice a week and beef twice a week? Thanks.
Hi Lee, we’d suggest eating beef liver twice a week as a foundation, and then adding another liver (such as chicken, pork, or cod) or other organ meats up to twice a week in addition (for four servings total). Although Vitamin A toxicity is reported as a concern, four meals of liver/organ meat won’t bring you anywhere near to that level. The important thing is to listen to your body — most people start slow, but the more liver they eat, the more they find themselves craving it. I hope that helps!
If a person wanted to have canned cod liver everyday (perhaps as an experiment) how often should they get a serum vitamin A blood test to monitor their levels?
We’d recommend discussing this with a medical professional who knows your personal medical history. While cod liver has many benefits, we only advocate eating it as part of a balanced ancestral diet.