High quality animal liver is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet.  In fact, it could be argued that no other food in world is a nutrient dense as liver.

For centuries, animal liver was prized among various Native cultures still living a traditional way of life.  In particular, it was prized highly among cultures who subsisted primarily off of hunting and gathering.  These Native American tribes understood the importance consuming liver regularly had towards persevering and boosting overall health.

Research now understands that high quality animal liver is a powerhouse of fat soluble vitamins that can help boost overall health in the body.  Many of these fat soluble vitamins that are present in animal liver are extremely deficient among the diet of the general population.

Those suffering from candida overgrowth are in even more need of these important fat soluble vitamins.  This is because these vitamins play a very important role in the overall health of the immune system and are needed for healthy immune function.

That all being said, by the end of this post you will have a better understanding as to why consuming high quality animal liver is crucial for those dealing with candida overgrowth or for those seeking optimal health!

Liver – Powerhouse of Vitamins A,D, and K

As mentioned before, liver is naturally high in the important fat soluble vitamins.  In particular, high quality liver contains large amounts of vitamins A, D and K.  It should be mentioned that these fat soluble vitamins can only be found in animal foods.

All plant foods contain precursors to these vitamins that the body must first convert into their usable form.  This conversion process is very inefficient and is not practical for optimal health.

Research is clear that vitamin D3 is critical for maintaining a healthy immune system and plays an important role in overall health and well-being (1).  Likewise, vitamin K2 is also important for maintaining immune system health.

Interestingly, it’s been shown that both of these fat soluble vitamins work synergistically in the body and are needed in order to properly displace calcium into the bones where it belongs (2).  It’s for this reason that taking calcium supplements is counterproductive towards overall health.  Without adequate amounts of vitamin D and K2, calcium will pool in the body and can create issues such as calcification.

It’s well known that those suffering from candida overgrowth oftentimes have immune system dysregulation.  This is mainly due to excess amounts of candida in the body.  Luckily, incorporating high quality animal liver into the diet can help to provide the body with high amounts of the immune boosting fat soluble vitamins A, D, and K.

Copper – A Powerful Antifungal

No other food on the planet contains as much copper as animal liver.  In fact, per weight, no other food even comes close to containing as much copper as this nutrient dense superfood.

This can be great for those dealing with candida overgrowth.  Research has shown that the mineral copper has an anti-fungal effect and can be used to help inhibit the growth of pathogenic fungi (3).

It should be mentioned that both copper and zinc have a synergistic relationship in the body.  As a result, it’s always important to not disrupt the balance of zinc and copper in the body.  It’s for this reason that taking isolated mineral supplements such as copper can be dangerous if done long term and in the absence of zinc.  Experts agree that zinc is needed in fairly high amounts while copper is only needed in small amounts.

Luckily, liver contains the perfect balance of minerals so that balance is kept in the body.  That being said, due to its overall nutrient density, liver should be consumed no more than twice a week.  Also, it’s important that liver is balanced with high quality animal products.  This will help to better even out the ratio of zinc to copper.

In our opinion and based of various tribes still living a natural way of life, consuming liver would not have been an everyday practice.  Also, it was typically always shared among members of the family and not consumed by one person alone.

Great for Remineralizing the Body

Minerals are crucial not just for those dealing with candida overgrowth, but also for those wishing to achieve optimal health.  It’s well known that the majority of the population is consuming a mineral deficient diet.  This is mainly due to poor food choices but also is a result of modern farming techniques that have left our soils depleted of essential minerals.

Thankfully, the incorporation of liver into the diet can help to boost overall mineral content in the body.  That being said, candida sufferers will be especially at risk for developing mineral deficiencies.

This is because almost all candida suffers have high amounts of intestinal inflammation (4).  When the intestines are inflamed, conditions such as gut permeability or leaky gut are often a result.  When this occurs, the absorption of nutrients from food will be very poor.  Unfortunately, issues such as intestinal permeability are very common among those dealing with fungal overgrowth’s such as candida (5).

Luckily, high quality animal liver can help to boost mineral stores in the body.  Overtime, this can have an extremely beneficial effect in those dealing with health problems such as candida.  Also, since liver is an animal food, it’s naturally free from anti-nutrients.  For those unaware, anti-nutrients occur primarily in plant foods and can hinder the absorption of minerals in the body.

Amazing Source of B12

As well as being loaded full of important fat soluble vitamins, liver is one of the best sources of vitamin B12 in the world.  Vitamin B12 is needed for survival and plays an important role in energy production in the body (6).  Those dealing with daily fatigue due to candida may find relief by upping their vitamin B12 intake.

Vitamin B12 only occurs in animal foods.  As a result, plant based diets will naturally be deficient in this essential vitamin.  Many will argue that various types of algae contain B12.  However, research has confirmed that these are B12 analogues and not the active form the vitamin.

Many report almost an immediate increase in energy levels after incorporating high quality liver into the diet.  Even just consuming this nutrient dense superfood just once a week can effect a dramatic improvement on overall energy levels and mood.

The Bottom Line – Should you Consume Liver?

In our opinion, liver is one of the best foods for those dealing with candida overgrowth, or for those seeking optimal health.  No other food can compare to the high amounts of fat soluble vitamins present in animal liver.  Also, liver is naturally a rich source of the anti-fungal mineral copper.  In small amounts, this mineral can be very beneficial for those dealing with pathogenic fungal overgrowth’s such as candida.

Furthermore, liver is an excellent source of vitamin B12.  This vitamin is typically deficient in diet of the general population and is needed daily for optimal health.  Being just slightly deficient in this vitamin can have disastrous effects in the body.

Also, high quality animal liver is free from anti-nutrients.  As a result, the nutrients found in liver are able to be freely absorbed into the body without issue.

For those having difficulty finding a source of high quality liver, be sure to check out the various desiccated beef liver supplements on the market.  These can be very useful and are easy to take; just make sure they’re grass-fed.  Also, a quality extra virgin cod liver oil supplement can be beneficial in small amounts.

However, for those looking for something more, Grassland Beef can deliver high quality animal products such as liver right to your door!  This can be a great option for those wanting the real thing.

Lastly, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to check out our Crush Candida Cookbook.  We’ve included over 20 different mouthwatering anti-candida recipes in this amazing cookbook.  Best of all, the recipes are both delicious and good for you!