Ancestral nutrition 101: organ supplements and bone broth

How does the idea of including organ meats into your diet sound to you?

Chances are that your first reaction is not that delighted. What once was considered the best nutrition available has fallen out of favor in many of today’s food cultures.

In spite of the current attitudes, organs have actually been a natural and highly valued part of people’s diets for thousands of years. Organs are one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet which kept people well nourished before the industrialized foods began to dominate our diets – and taste preferences. Another nutritious favorite of our ancestors is bone broth, a healthy and nutritious drink simmered slowly from bones.

In recent years organ and bone broth supplements have emerged on the market to bridge the gap between the ancestral nutritional wisdom and modern-day diet. If the idea of eating organs or stuff simmered from bones – even if in a supplement – kind of freaks you out, that’s OK. After reading this article you might change your mind.

The undeniable benefits of organ supplements

Organ meats refer to the organs of animals consumed as food, such as kidneys, liver, heart and tongue. Organ supplements contain these in a desiccated or freeze-dried and powdered form, usually stored in neutral-tasting capsules. Supplements are most commonly made of beef organs, but for example at Arctic Pure, you can find reindeer organ supplements as well.

Organ supplements have drastically increased their popularity in recent years. Many of their initial advocates were practitioners of diets such as paleo, raw food or keto, but their many benefits have started to reach the ears of wider audiences as well.

Organ meats have a rich nutritional profile

Organ meats are superior to meat when it comes to the amounts of vitamins and minerals they contain. Organ meats are rich in protein and they include all nine essential amino acids that the human body needs. Organ meats are also rich in B vitamins, fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A and D as well as minerals such as iron, magnesium and selenium. They are also one of the few animal-based sources of vitamin C. Moreover, the nutrients in organ meats are in a very bioavailable form, meaning that they are effectively absorbed in the body.

The most common organs used in supplements are liver, heart and kidneys

• Liver contains plenty of high-quality protein. Liver is also a superior source of vitamin A – which is also why it is not recommended for regular usage for pregnant women. Liver also contains a lot of vitamin B12, folate (B9), iron and Q10 coenzymes important for the function of the heart.
• Heart is a muscle which contains high levels of protein, B vitamins, amino acids, selenium, phosphorus and zinc. Heart is also rich in the powerful antioxidant CoQ10. The nutrients that the heart contains also support collagen production which helps to slow down the signs of aging.
• Kidneys are an excellent source of protein yet they contain very little fat. They also contain vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamins B12 and B6, folate, selenium and heme iron, the well-absorbed form of iron connected to hemoglobin and myoglobin.

Organ supplements are ecological nutrition

Utilizing organs as nutrition is also ecological. Organs are precious byproducts of the meat industry. When livestock is slaughtered it is ecological to utilize the whole carcass and not to let these perfectly utilizable parts go to waste. Organ supplements therefore make good use of these valuable yet slightly understated ingredients.

Bone broth is a superior source of collagen

Bone broth is another favorite of our ancestors still valued today. Back in the hunter and gatherer times hunting trips were not always successful. Therefore whenever prey was caught, it had to be utilized to the last bone – and one of the most valuable parts of the prey was in fact literally in the bone. The nutritious bone marrow was released by roasting the bones, first with hot stones and later in a cauldron. This enabled the adding of vegetables, spices and herbs to the mixture, resulting in a nutritious drink, bone broth.

Bone broth is not just a warming drink but a healing aid which supports wellbeing in many ways. Bone broth contains collagen, gelatine, hyaluronic acid, amino acids and minerals such as magnesium, dissolved from the bone as the result of the slow simmering. Gelatine, collagen and amino acids support gut health which contributes to a stronger immune system. Collagen also supports the health of skin, hair, nails and joints.

Enjoy the benefits of organs and bone broth in an effortless (and tasteless) way

Even though the benefits of consuming organ meats and bone broth are undeniable, the threshold of taking them as part of a regular diet is pretty high for many. This is usually due to their ‘different’ taste, challenges in how to cook them and sometimes even difficulty to access them. That’s where supplements come in. Ready-to-use supplements are an extremely easy way to enjoy the benefits of organ meats and bone broth without the need to worry about cooking them.

Nordic Kings – high-quality beef organ supplements

Organ supplements in a capsule form are your go-to option if the idea of the taste of organ meats causes you to flinch. The organ capsules by Nordic Kings couldn’t be more convenient and pleasant to use: the freeze-dried organ powders are packed in a completely tasteless capsule. Freeze-drying ensures that the precious nutrients of the raw organ are preserved as well as possible. In addition, the Nordic King’s organ capsules are made from the organs of healthy grass-fed and pasture-raised cows.

Biomed – Reindeer bone broth from Lapland

Bone broth is also available in a ready-to-use form. Biomed Reindeer Bone Broth Powder is a high-quality, ecological and ethical option, made from freeze-dried reindeer bone broth in the Finnish Lapland.

Reindeer is a half-wild animal which lives in the Nordic nature, eating the world’s purest wild food. Reindeer herding is among the most ethical forms of livestock breeding in the world and when a reindeer is slaughtered, the whole carcass is utilized. The Biomed bone broth is made from the excess bones that would otherwise go to waste.

Reindeer bone broth powder can be added to almost any food or drink. It can be used as the basis for various soups, casseroles and drinks, or you can enjoy it as a warming drink.

Put your doubts aside and experience the undeniable benefits of organs and bone broth!