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ExtraBurn Keto - Why is organ meat not good for you?

by laura nicholas (2021-11-18)

In response to MindBody Matrix Pain Relief - What is the best way to take magnesium for sleep?

The organ meat is often perceived with distaste by some people, but can be more nutritious than you think. If you are vegan or vegetarian this is not meant to change your mind, but if you are not, the organ meat is worth a try. And for those of you who have been enjoying liver and kidney recipes for years, keep it up!

Why we stop eating organ meat

Until relatively recently, carnivorous cultures around the world generally used a "nose to tail" approach to preparing and eating meats. Along with lean meat from cows, goats, chickens, and other domesticated or hunted animals, organs such as the liver, kidneys, heart, brain, and intestines were enjoyed rather than wasted.

Eating organ meat and other less muscular portions continues to be very popular around the world. Just try the Caribbean dishes of oxtail or chicken foot soup, chinchulines from the deep south or liver and onion in any good British pub.

But the "modernization" of Western agriculture and the demands of a capitalist food industry have led to a great waste of what many people would say is perfectly good food. Furthermore, the tendency to use fewer animals contributes to a devastating environmental impact.

Although delicious and often addictive, beef production is one of the worst things we have done to the environment. Beef production has had a massively negative impact on land, water and energy use.

In terms of land use and compared to other meat production (chicken, fish, pork), beef production uses 28% more land per calorie consumed.

According to the World Research Institute, "A quarter of the Earth's land mass, excluding Antarctica, is used as grazing land." Much of that land includes areas that were detrimentally deforested for use.

Are Organ Meats Really Healthy?

First, we want to emphasize the importance of choosing your meats (organs or otherwise) carefully. Non-organic livers can contain residues of antibiotics and pesticides, as can lean meats.

It is often thought that since the liver acts as a "filter," it must accumulate toxins more than other parts of the body. By this logic one would assume that we shouldn't eat it, however this is for the most part a myth.

The liver would best be described as a self-regenerating filter that breaks down toxins into harmless substances that can then be eliminated by our bodies.

In the end, it's always important to source your meat as locally as possible and go for organic, grass-fed options. The accumulation of heavy metals and other toxic substances is still a problem in organ or lean meats.

The bottom line: getting meat from animals raised in non-toxic environments is paramount.

Liver

Possibly one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. Its benefits include being:

  • Low in calories
  • rich in quality protein
  • well above the recommended daily intake of vitamins B2, B12 and A
  • excellent source of folic acid and iron

Kidney

The kidneys are another rich source of many nutrients. They are especially good for:

  • high source of Omega-3
  • anti-inflammatory properties
  • supports a healthy cardiovascular system

Heart

Although slightly less popular than kidney and liver dishes, the heart certainly has considerable nutritional value. Some of its benefits include being:

  • excellent source of B vitamins
  • supports a healthy cardiovascular system
  • excellent source of CoQ10

Guts

The gut (the muscles in the stomach lining) is another underrated organ meat. Some of the benefits of this nutrient-dense dish include being:

  • Low in calories
  • rich in protein
  • good source of selenium, zinc and magnesium

Disadvantages of eating organ meat

The excessive consumption of organ meat may increase the risk of developing gout, a common form of arthritis. Organ meats are rich in purines, which are converted to uric acid in our bodies. Higher levels of uric acid are a risk factor for developing gout. If you have gout or are at risk of developing it, keep the consumption of these meats to a minimum.

Final notes

Organ meats are nutrient dense and can be a healthy option when eaten in moderation. When we substitute other lean meats for organ meats in our diet, consuming them can reduce waste and is better for the environment. Finally, always make sure to look for quality meats.

The main reason behind gaining weight is constant snacking even when your body does not need it. You can replace these snacks with sufficient proteins in your diet to keep yourself full for longer hours and at the same time give your body all the nutrients that it needs.

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