Hail to the Dinosaurs!
Here's a question that popped up in the in-box
this morning:
Hi Brooks,
I've been reading a lot about liver lately for
health and muscle building.
What do you think about it, and how much
should one eat?
Thanks!
Jeff
Thanks for your question, Jeff. It's a common
one, so I thought I'd answer it in an email to
the Dinosaurs.
Liver is high in B vitamins, particularly vitamin
B12, which is necessary for muscle growth. As
a result, liver has achieved a sort of legendary
status among strength trainers. Many view it
as one of the original super-foods -- and as
an absolutely essential part of a healthy diet.
But is it?
John MacCallum wrote a famous article in his
"Keys to Progress" series in Strength and Health
back in 1969 or 1970-71, where he urged readers
to eat a pound of liver for breakfast every single
day.
This advice originally came from nutritionist Adele
Davis, who also promoted liver for breakfast back
in the 1960's.
So the "Eat lots of liver!" message has been out
there for a long time.
The problem is, some people hate liver. They cannot
eat it no matter what.
I'm one of them. When I was 19 or 20, I worked an
out of town summer job, and tried to save as much
money for school as possible -- and liver was the
cheapest meat I could find -- so I ate liver every
single day for the entire summer.
As a result, I've never been able to eat it since
that time.
So I'm living proof that you do NOT "need" to eat
liver. You can do perfectly fine on other foods.
The same could be said of any particular food that
supposedly works wonders for building strength
and muscle.
There are many good, healthy, muscle-building
foods.
But the best food for YOU is one that you like --
and that you enjoy eating - and that you digest and
assimilate easily.
So, in response to the question, how much liver
should you eat, the answer is: "As much -- or as
little - as you want."
If you enjoy liver, then eat it. Don't stuff yourself
with it, and don't eat a pound a day just because
someone said to do so. Let your appetite be your
guide. If you like a quarter pound of liver once
or twice a week, that's fine.
I would strongly suggest that you eat organic beef
liver. The liver purifies the blood, and chemical
residues tend to accumulate in the liver. So the
liver from a conventionally-raised animal is
going to contain hormones, antibiotics and
other chemicals that you don't need and don't
want.
And don't worry about the expense. Even organic
beef liver is inexpensive.
If you don't enjoy liver, then don't eat it -- and don't
worry about it. Other meats will work just as well
as liver when it comes to building strength and
muscle.
Bob Hoffman said it very well back in 1940:
"No one food is essential for health. There are no
health foods."
But what about dessicated liver tablets for those who
don't like liver?
Well, if liver is not necessary, neither are liver tablets.
If you take them, and you think they help you, then
feel free to keep on taking them. Personally, I'd rather
spend my money on the best and healthiest meat,
eggs and vegetables that I can find.
For more about liver, other healthy protein sources, and
the best kind of diet for strength training and muscle
building, reserve a copy of Knife, Fork, Muscle as we wind
up the pre-publication special for the little monster:
http://brookskubik.com/dinosaur_nutrition.html
I hope that helps. As always, thanks for reading and
have a great day. If you train today, make it a good
one!
Yours in strength,
Brooks Kubik
P.S. Building strength and muscle requires the right
kind of nutrition and the right kind of training program.
Strength, Muscle and Power details the right kind of
training for big gains in muscle and might:
http://www.brookskubik.com/strength_muscle_power.html
P.S. 2. My other books and courses are right here:
http://www.brookskubik.com/products.html
P.S. 3. Thought for the Day: "Simple is best, whether it's
training or diet and nutrition." -- Brooks Kubik
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