The Many Benefits of Consuming Grass Fed Beef Kidneys

The Nutritional Benefits of Grass Fed Beef Kidneys

Kidneys are one of the most nutrient dense organs found in animals. Beef kidneys, especially from grass fed cows, are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other compounds that can provide some powerful health benefits.

High Quality Source of Protein

Beef kidneys are an excellent source of high quality protein. A 3 ounce serving contains about 14 grams of protein. Protein is made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks for muscle tissue, bone, cartilage, skin and blood.

Getting enough protein in your diet is important for building and repairing tissues, supporting a healthy metabolism, helping regulate appetite hormones, supporting immune function and much more.

The protein found in beef kidneys contains all 9 essential amino acids that humans need to obtain from food sources since we cannot produce them on our own.

Excellent Source of Iron

Beef kidneys, especially from grass fed cows, are one of the best sources of iron you can eat. A 3 ounce serving contains about 5 mg of iron, meeting more than a quarter of the recommended daily intake for most adults.

Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in the world and can cause unwanted symptoms like fatigue, low energy, headaches, irritability and more.

The iron found in animal products like beef kidneys is heme iron, which is more easily absorbed by the body compared to non-heme iron from plant sources.

High in Selenium

In addition to being an excellent source of protein and iron, beef kidneys are also high in the essential mineral selenium. Just a 3 ounce serving of beef kidneys packs over 50% of the selenium that most adults need in a day.

Selenium plays vital roles in reproduction, thyroid hormone metabolism, DNA synthesis, and protection from oxidative damage and infection.

Beef is considered one of the best dietary sources of selenium, since cattle consume grass and grains that are high in this mineral. Their kidneys specifically tend to accumulate high amounts of selenium.

Good Source of B Vitamins

Grass fed beef kidneys are also a good natural source of B vitamins, including:

• Vitamin B12
• Riboflavin (B2)
• Niacin (B3)
• Pantothenic acid (B5)
• Pyridoxine (B6)

These B vitamins are involved in energy metabolism, red blood cell production, nervous system function, liver detoxification, and synthesis of hormones, cholesterol and neurotransmitters.

Many people are deficient in at least one or more B vitamins, so consuming animal organ meats like kidneys can help fill those nutritional gaps.

Source of Vitamin A & Vitamin C

In addition to protein, iron, selenium and B vitamins, beef kidneys also supply vitamin A and vitamin C.

Vitamin A is essential for eye health, immune function, reproduction, growth and development. Beef kidneys supply about 10% of the recommended daily intake per 3 ounce serving.

While most animal products are low in vitamin C, beef kidneys actually contain higher levels. Getting enough vitamin C is important for collagen production, immune function, iron absorption and antioxidant protection.

Other Minerals

Some other minerals found abundantly in beef kidneys include:

• Zinc: helps maintain immune system function
• Magnesium: involved in energy production, bone health, nerve signaling, and muscle contractions
• Phosphorus: supports bone health and helps filter waste from the kidneys

As you can see, kidneys are mineral powerhouses, supplying us with hard to find nutrients that many of us lack.

Choosing the Best Quality Kidneys

To reap all the nutritional benefits that beef kidneys have to offer, its important to select high quality kidneys, ideally from grass fed cows.

Here are some tips on picking the best kidneys:

Choose Grass Fed

Grass fed beef is always the best choice when it comes to nutritional quality. Cows that eat grass and other forages produce meat and organs that is higher in key nutrients like vitamins A and E, antioxidants, healthy fats like omega 3s, and CLA.

Grass fed kidneys are also are more likely to be free of hormones, antibiotics and other drugs that conventionally raised cattle are often given.

Look for Bright Red Color

When choosing kidneys, look for ones that are bright red. Dull, brownish coloring is a sign that the kidneys may be old or losing their freshness.

Kidneys should look moist but not slimy. They have an outer membrane that should not appear slippery or excessively moist.

Avoid Kidneys with Strong Ammonia Smell

Its normal for organ meats like kidneys to have a slight smell, but you want to avoid any that have an overly strong or unpleasant ammonia type odor. This occurs when the kidneys start to spoil.

Go with your nose, and pick kidneys that have a mild fresh meat smell at most.

Get Them Fresh

Choose kidneys that look freshly cut instead of pre-packaged. Talk to your local farmer or butcher to find out when they get their beef kidneys shipped in for the freshest choice.

You can also purchase high quality grass fed beef kidneys online from reputable healthy meat retailers and get them shipped overnight.

Health Benefits of Beef Kidneys

Now that you know what nutrients beef kidneys contain and how to pick high quality ones, lets explore some of the specific ways that eating them can benefit your health.

Improve Energy Levels

One of the most noticeable effects of incorporating beef kidneys and other organ meats into your diet is improved energy levels.

Reasons this happens include:

• - Getting high quality complete proteins that provide amino acids to produce ATP for cellular energy.
• - Increased intake of iron needed to prevent fatigue and other symptoms.
• - More B vitamins like B12 that help convert food into usable energy.

Those struggling with low motivation, tiredness, lack of endurance, or slow workout recovery may benefit from the energy boost kidney nutrition can provide.

Support Heart Health

The nutrients found abundantly in beef kidneys like CoQ10, carnitine, vitamins B2, B3, B5, B6, and minerals like selenium and zinc also support cardiovascular health.

These nutrients have been shown to improve circulation, lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation and oxidative damage, and support artery, vein and heart muscle function.

Benefit Blood and Liver Function

Many nutrients concentrated in beef kidneys also play important roles in keeping blood and liver function optimal, including:

• - Iron for red blood cell production
• - Vitamin B12 to make red blood cells
• - Vitamin A, selenium and zinc for immune system white blood cells
• - Niacin, B5 and magnesium help remove waste and toxins from the liver

Supporting blood and liver function with grass fed beef kidneys can prevent nutritional deficiencies and related unwanted symptoms.

May Help Prevent Kidney Disease

Interestingly, incorporating kidneys and other organ meats into your diet may also help prevent kidney problems and disease.

Reasons this can occur includes getting antioxidants like selenium and vitamin E that protect kidney tissue, phosphorus to support waste removal through the kidneys, B vitamins that regulate kidney function, and collagen proteins for tissue integrity.

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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.