I kept hearing about liver as a miracle supplement in many podcasts I listened to. It all came to a head when a dear friend brought it up as a wonder pill she took to get through postpartum. Yep – it was liver! She explained that when she married her husband, she joined a family deeply rooted in Asian culture, and that expanded her learning about culinary routines, traditions, and wellness, especially after giving birth to four kids in five years. Yes, you read that right. Four kids in five years!

As her mother-in-law of Chinese descent helped care for her during this time, she would make traditional Chinese dishes for her post-delivery. This included nourishing broths with traditional herbs and ingredients that replenished her blood, chi, and more. According to Dr. Serrallach, most new mothers often lack crucial vitamins to function, like iron, vitamin B12, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin D, magnesium, and copper. 

One thing I was shocked about as she told me about liver was that it had many benefits to help cure these deficiencies after birth. It even helps kids who might be deficient in these areas. According to WebMD, the liver is one of the most nutritionally dense foods on the planet, with significant amounts of iron, riboflavin, vitamin B12, vitamin A, and copper, and can be incredibly beneficial when consumed in the right quantities. Eating a single serving a few times a week can help you meet your daily recommended amounts of these vitamins and minerals, reducing your risk of nutrient deficiency.

Did you know that some sources suggest your baby’s first food should be organic liver? Solid Starts recommends beef and chicken liver, which babies need for building immune systems, eye development, and skincare. Yet if in high amounts, it is not recommended, so knowing the right amount and type of liver is critical.

I first read more material about this miracle organ and supplement that now a good friend had claimed worked. She recommended the book Super Nutrition for Babies to me, and I was inspired by their recommendations for building good nutrition habits in the first 24 months. I then researched reputable vendors that provided high-quality and organic sources of the liver. Knowing that New Zealand provides a clean source of meat, my friend came across Enviromenica, which offers organic capsules to try and sprinkles onto my kids’ food to provide them with the benefits without them noticing. So, during those first few months and years after birth, she ate the traditional Chinese dishes her mother-in-law provided, incorporating these liver capsules, and felt terrific!

The benefits of eating beef or chicken liver once to a few times per week are: 

  • Feeling balanced, calm, and nourished.
  • Having clarity of mind.
  • Enjoying better sleep.

I also checked with my pediatrician, nutritionist, and compounding pharmacist. They agreed that giving to kids every so often was okay to aid with sleep, avoid colds, and boost energy throughout the day.

So the next time you feel deficient in some of these areas — try liver! One of my favorite local spots in Marin (The Farm Shop) serves it on the menu. And it was delicious. As always, consult your doctor on the right product and amounts for you and if you want your little one to enjoy it.