Evidence supporting the use of: Bovine
For the body system: Pituitary
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Bovine (cow-derived) pituitary extracts have a history of use in traditional organotherapy, a practice that dates back to the early 20th century. Proponents of organotherapy believed that consuming animal organs could nourish the corresponding human organs. Bovine pituitary tissue was included in some supplements with the claim that it would support or “feed” the human pituitary gland, an idea rooted in tradition rather than in rigorous scientific research. There is very limited scientific data supporting the efficacy or safety of orally consumed bovine pituitary extracts for enhancing pituitary function in humans. The digestive process would likely break down proteins and peptides before they could act on the human gland, and there is no robust clinical evidence demonstrating benefits to pituitary health or hormone regulation from such supplementation. Furthermore, regulatory and safety concerns (such as the risk of prion disease transmission) have led to restrictions in the use of animal-derived glandular extracts in many countries. In summary, while there is some traditional precedent for using bovine pituitary extracts for pituitary support, current scientific validation is lacking, and their use is not recommended based on available evidence.