Nourishing pregnancy with beef organ supplements: What you need to know
Pregnancy is a time when your body’s nutritional needs reach their peak. It’s not just about eating for two, it’s about deeply nourishing both you and your growing baby with the most nutrient-dense foods possible.
While modern prenatal vitamins often attempt to fill the nutritional gaps, they can’t quite compare to the bioavailability and richness found in whole foods, especially beef organs.
Rooted in ancestral nutrition, these supplements provide a potent source of vitamins and minerals that are crucial during pregnancy.
Let’s explore how beef organ supplements can support a healthy pregnancy and why they should be considered a part of your prenatal care.
Nutritional benefits of beef organs during pregnancy
When it comes to nutrient density, organ meats reign supreme. Beef organs, particularly liver, are packed with essential vitamins and minerals that play a critical role in foetal development and maternal health.
1. Vitamin A (Retinol): nature’s fertility superfood
Vitamin A plays a fundamental role in foetal development, particularly for the formation of the heart, lungs, kidneys, eyes, and bones. It also supports the circulatory, respiratory, and central nervous systems.
Beef liver is one of the richest natural sources of Vitamin A in its bioavailable form, retinol. Unlike the synthetic forms of Vitamin A often found in supplements, retinol from beef organs is immediately usable by the body, ensuring your baby gets the most from this critical nutrient.
However, it’s important to balance your intake. While Vitamin A is essential, too much synthetic Vitamin A has been associated with toxicity.
This is why natural sources like beef liver, which contain retinol in balance with other nutrients, are a safer and more beneficial way to meet your needs during pregnancy. Always ensure you’re sourcing high-quality, grass-fed beef organ supplements to avoid any risk.
2. Folate (Vitamin B9): Crucial for neural tube development
Folate is perhaps one of the most well-known nutrients required during pregnancy due to its role in preventing neural tube defects in the developing foetus.
It supports the formation of the brain and spinal cord, making it essential during the early weeks of pregnancy.
While many prenatal vitamins contain synthetic folic acid, beef liver offers a natural, highly bioavailable source of folate that your body can absorb and utilise more efficiently.
Folate from beef organ supplements ensures that you and your baby are getting the highest quality nutrition for optimal development, without the potential issues related to synthetic folic acid.
3. Iron: Supporting foetal growth and maternal health
During pregnancy, your blood volume increases significantly to support the growing foetus. Iron is essential for making haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to your baby.
Without sufficient iron, both you and your baby can suffer from anaemia, leading to fatigue, weakened immunity, and in severe cases, preterm birth.
Beef liver is a fantastic source of heme iron, the most easily absorbed form of iron. Heme iron, found in animal-based foods, has a much higher absorption rate than non-heme iron from plant sources.
This makes beef organ supplements an excellent way to support your iron intake during pregnancy, ensuring you maintain healthy blood levels and reduce the risk of complications.
Key considerations when taking beef organ supplements during pregnancy
While beef organ supplements are a powerful source of essential nutrients, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you’re getting the most benefit while keeping you and your baby safe.
1. Sourcing matters: grass-Fed, hormone-free, and organic
The quality of the organ meats used in your supplements matters greatly, especially during pregnancy. Always opt for grass-fed, hormone-free, and organic beef organ supplements.
Grass-fed beef contains higher levels of beneficial nutrients, such as Omega-3 fatty acids and CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), which further support maternal and fetal health.
2. Know your recommended daily vitamin A intake
While beef liver is an excellent source of Vitamin A, it’s important to monitor your intake. The recommended daily allowance of Vitamin A for pregnant women is around 770 micrograms RAE (retinol activity equivalents) per day. High-quality beef organ supplements are formulated with this balance in mind, but always consult with your healthcare provider to ensure you’re getting the right amount without overconsumption.
3. Balance with other prenatal nutrients
At Organised, we believe in holistic nourishment that mirrors the natural balance found in ancestral diets.
To ensure you’re meeting the full spectrum of nutritional needs during pregnancy, it’s important to incorporate them as part of a balanced prenatal nutrition plan.
In ancestral cultures, pregnancy was seen as a time to nourish and fortify the body,
preparing both mother and child for the journey ahead. Organ meats were revered as sacred foods, given to women to ensure a healthy pregnancy and a strong baby.
Today, beef organ supplements offer a way to tap into that wisdom, providing a potent source of nutrients that support foetal development and maternal health in a way that modern supplements simply can’t match.
When taken mindfully, with high-quality sourcing and balance, beef organ supplements can be an invaluable tool in your prenatal nutrition plan, helping you nourish yourself and your baby as nature intended.