Organ Complex Supplements - Benefits, Safety, Effects

What Are Organ Complex Supplements?

Organ complex supplements have surged in popularity in recent years, largely fueled by the rise of the nose-to-tail movement. This trend focuses on reducing food waste by consuming every edible part of the animal, including organ meats like liver, heart, kidneys and more.

Advocates believe organ meats and specially formulated organ supplements provide superior nutritional value compared to typical muscle meats.

But do these sometimes strange-sounding pills and powders deliver meaningful health perks? Lets explore what organ complexes are, their purported benefits, and whether experts back their use.

Whats in Organ Complex Supplements?

Organ supplements feature Extracts of actual bovine or porcine organs, including heart, liver, kidney, pancreas, spleen and more. Specific ingredients in organ complexes may include:

• Heart extract
• Liver extract
• Kidney extract
• Adrenal extract
• Spleen extract
• Pancreas extract
• Gallbladder extract
• Stomach extract
• Intestinal extract

These extracts provide concentrated forms of nutrients highly abundant in the organs themselves. Different bodily organs serve various functions and house unique combinations of vitamins, minerals and other beneficial compounds.

Potential Benefits of Organ Complex Supplements

Enthusiasts of organ meats and organ supplements point to a number of science-backed and anecdotal health advantages these animal-sourced nutrients may offer:

Dense Source of Nutrients

Organ meats have long been prized in various cultures as nutritionally superior to muscle meats. For example, beef liver contains incredibly high levels of:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
• Vitamin B6
• Folate
• Pantothenic Acid
• Iron
• Copper
• Phosphorus
• Zinc

Other organ meats offer heightened amounts of key nutrients as well, which concentrated organ complex supplements aim to capture.

Support Energy and Reduce Fatigue

Advocates of organ meats report feeling increased energy, stamina and reductions in fatigue after incorporating them, especially rich options like liver. Animal organs offer dense sources of iron, B vitamins, CoQ10 and protein for fueling bodily processes.

Bolster Immune Function

Organ meats like thymus and spleen play central roles in healthy immune response within animal bodies. When consumed, humans gain this nutritional support. Liver also contains high amounts of immune-boosting vitamin A.

Build and Repair Tissues

As nutrient-dense whole foods, organ meats contain a wide array of compounds for strengthening bodily tissues like skin collagen, joints, blood cells, eyesight, digestive tract and more.

Support Detoxification

Certain organs like the kidneys and liver serve waste-filtering roles within the body. Eating these organs allows us to benefit from their nutritional support for our own detox processes.

Improve Nerve and Hormone Function

Glands like the adrenal, thyroid and pituitary offer nutrients that regulate mood, stress response, growth mechanisms and metabolic processes. Organ supplements aim to nourish nervous and endocrine systems.

Aid Protein Digestion

The pancreas produces enzymes and compounds vital to properly breaking down and utilizing dietary proteins. Supplementing with pancreas glandulars may help improve protein absorption.

What Does Science Say About Organ Supplements?

Despite plenty of bold claims about organ supplements, theres minimal evidence directly supporting or refuting their efficacy. No large scale human trials appear in the medical literature.

However, we can analyze the available research on individual organ meats:

Liver Health Benefits

Multiple studies confirm that incorporating modest amounts of beef or chicken liver into diets can significantly increase intakes of vitamins A, B12, B6, folate, iron, copper and more compared to muscle meats.

Authors of a 2021 review concluded that regular moderate liver consumption holds promise for improving micronutrient status, anemia risk, pregnancy outcomes and child development.

Heart and Blood Vessel Support

A 2017 review highlighted the abilities of coenzyme Q10 highly concentrated in heart tissue to boost cardiovascular function. Additionally, heart tissue contains dense amino acids good for blood flow.

Kidney and Liver Detox Activation

Components like glutathione and selenium within kidney tissue promote natural detoxification processes. One study indicated sheep kidney consumption increased antioxidant levels in human subjects.

Lean Mass Support

Amino acid-rich organ meats like heart, kidney and liver aid muscle recovery after physical activity. Some research shows improved strength and body composition with regular organ meat intake.

More research directly on complex organ supplements is still needed. But the nutritional merits of whole food organ meats suggest potential upsides.

Who Might Benefit from Organ Supplements?

Due to minimal data, organ supplements should not replace standard treatment protocols. But some populations may still derive advantages from adding organ supplements:

• Those with poor dietary intake or malnutrition
• Vegans and vegetarians
• Pregnant women
• Seniors needing nutritional support
• Individuals with fatigue or low energy
• People with chronic illnesses
• Athletes and bodybuilders
• Those following paleo, carnivore, or nose-to-tail diets

Talk to your doctor before taking organ glandular supplements regularly, especially if you take any medications or have health conditions they may interact with.

Are There Any Drawbacks to Organ Supplements?

While the potential benefits are exciting, there are some cautions to consider as well with this supplement class:

Quality Control Issues

No official oversight body screens organ supplements for potency, safety or proper processing protocols. Improperly handled raw organ tissues could pose infection risks.

Allergy Concerns

Those with meat allergies face greater risks for reactions with organ supplements. Individuals may not realize they have organ-specific allergies.

High Vitamin A Toxicity

While most organ meats offer nutritive advantages, liver is uniquely high in vitamin A. Consuming excessive preformed vitamin A long-term raises toxicity risks like liver damage.

Heavy Metal Accumulation

Organ meats and glands may accumulate environmental toxins like mercury, lead and cadmium during the animals life. Supplementary amounts could become harmful over time.

Safest Ways to Take Organ Supplements

When used judiciously under medical supervision, organ glandulars likely pose little risk for most adults. Safer strategies include:

• Consulting your doctor before use
• Consuming liver or cod liver oil sparingly due to vitamin A content
• Rotating between organ supplement complexes
• Avoiding organ supplements from less regulated countries
• Checking third-party certifications of supplement brands
• Following standard dosage guidelines on labels

Pay attention to any adverse effects like digestive upset, skin reactions, fatigue or headaches. And discontinue use if any concerning or prolonged symptoms develop.

Should You Try Organ Supplements?

Incorporating small servings of beef, chicken or fish liver, heart and other organ meats into your diet a few times a month offers proven nutritional value with minimal risk.

High quality organ complex supplements may provide similar advantages. But due to limited evidence, view these products as complementary to a healthy lifestyle, not miracle cure-alls. By selecting reputable supplement brands and using common sense, organ glandulars could become useful additions.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.