Evidence supporting the use of: Beef liver
For the health condition: Wasting

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Beef liver is used to support or treat wasting (cachexia, malnutrition, or weakness due to nutrient deficiency) with a strong scientific rationale. Beef liver is an exceptionally rich source of high-quality protein, heme iron, vitamin A (retinol), B vitamins (especially B12, riboflavin, and folate), and trace minerals such as zinc and copper. These nutrients are critical for tissue repair, hemoglobin synthesis, and overall metabolic function, all of which are impaired during wasting states.

Historically, beef liver has been used in both traditional and clinical settings to treat anemia and malnutrition. Early 20th-century studies, such as those by Dr. George Whipple, demonstrated that feeding liver to anemic dogs rapidly restored their red blood cell counts, leading to its use in treating pernicious anemia in humans prior to the development of vitamin B12 injections. Modern clinical nutrition continues to recommend nutrient-dense foods like beef liver for individuals recovering from severe malnutrition, eating disorders, or chronic illness-related wasting (e.g., HIV/AIDS, cancer cachexia).

Peer-reviewed research supports the repletion of micronutrient stores and improvement of nutritional status with organ meats in malnourished populations. However, caution is warranted due to the risk of hypervitaminosis A with excessive intake. Overall, beef liver is validated as an effective food-based intervention for wasting, based on both mechanistic understanding and clinical/historical evidence.

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