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I received a wonderful comment on another blog post of mine, "Top 10 Foods to Prepare for Labor and Delivery." In that post I list Liver as one of my Labor and Delivery prep superfoods. The commenter brought up the concern that liver is an extremely rich source of Vitamin A, and excess Vitamin A in pregnancy is associated with birth defects. Her concern was that I may be giving out dangerous information in regards to suggesting liver consumption for labor preparation. I truly welcome these comments and concerns, as they offer an avenue for discussion, and this is a great topic of discussion. Eating Liver in Pregnancy - Is it Safe?I love liver. Yes, I literally do, and so do my children. My family is a subsistence meat eating family, meaning we hunt for our meat. Every fall we fill our freezer with some of the highest quality meat to be found, this includes the organs. My children will fight each other over the last sliver of heart fajitas (a fall delicacy at our home). You've also never seen two little girls more excited over the giblets in a bird. There is nothing more enjoyable than watching them "patiently" waiting for the fried liver and heart of little game birds and chickens. Not everyone loves liver as much as I do, for various reasons. But no one hates liver more than the modern medical system. There have been several myths over the decades, in regards to liver, that have been debunked. Like the "it filters toxins and therefore is toxic." Which we know is not the case. The liver is not a storage organ for toxins, it is a storage organ for vitamins...which is why it is one of my superfoods. In 1995 an article written in the New York Times stirred the prenatal nutrition pot. This article Study Links Excess Vitamin A to Birth Defects create a swirl of thought and discussion over the dietary intake of foods like in Vitamin A, like liver. The article stated; Women who consume excessive amounts of vitamin A during the early months of pregnancy can cause serious birth defects in their unborn children, a large new study has shown...The study showed that 1 baby in 57 born to women taking doses of vitamin A above 10,000 international units daily was damaged as a result...The higher the doses consumed, the greater the risk, the researchers found. Babies born to women who consumed more than 10,000 international units of the vitamin daily were 2.4 times as likely to be born with such defects as babies exposed to 5,000 international units or less. But babies exposed to 20,000 international units during the first three months of gestation were about four times as likely to be born with defects that included cleft lip, cleft palate, hydrocephalus and major heart malformations. Let's come back to this. First, before I continue, I think it is pertinent to explain what Vitamin A is, exactly. Understanding Vitamin AVitamin A comes in 2 dietary forms; Provitamin A Carotenoids (Beta-Carotene, Alpha-Carotene, Beta-Crypoxanthin) and Preformed Vitamin A Retinoids (Retinol, Retinal, and Retinoic Acid). There are also synthetic versions of Vitamin A. These are created in the laboratory, and are often used in supplementation, and in research. The tend to be more water-soluble, and easier to regulate in trials, but also more toxic. Carotenoids in the diet are converted to Retinol (the more usable form of Vitamin A). The Liver stores Vitamin A in an alcohol based form called Retinyl Esters. (which is why it is such an nutritional powerhouse for dietary retinol - esters are converted to retinol in the small intestines). There is a negative feedback mechanism in place that "measures" the levels of retinol in the liver. When there are adequate levels of Vitamin A in the body, there is actually an inhibition of both absorption of of Carotenoids from the diet and a decrease in conversion to Retinol in the Liver. The ratio varies from 4:1 to 55:1. Conversion is also limited in the presence of other nutritional deficiencies, such as zinc. Carotenoids are potent antioxidants. There are over 750 of them found in plants with only Beta-Carotene, Alpha-Carotene and Beta-Cryptoxanthin being able to convert to Vitamin A Retinol. Beta-Carotene is the one most commonly referenced. On their own, Carotenoids are potent antioxidants that help neutralize toxins in the body. In order to actually function, they must be converted to retinol. There main dietary function is the serve as a source of Retinol, as Retinol is the true Vitamin A. When you hear "Vitamin A" what you should really be hearing is "Retinol." This is the usable form of Vitamin A in the body. It is ESSENTIAL for human health and development. It is converted into Retinal and Retinoic Acid dependant on the body's needs. Retinol functions on a cellular level, controlling cellular development and growth. Retinol plays a very important part in the development of embryos. Retinal is used in eye health and development. Retinoic Acid is necessary for hormone function and genetic expression, as well as tooth and bone growth...all important functions for pregnancy, childbirth and fetal development. Back to the Studies: Vitamin A Toxicity FearSo, this specific study that is mentioned in the New York Times was a survey study done at Boston University School of Medicine. Meaning the Dr. conducting the study interviewed 22,748. He did in depth interviewing into the supplements they were taking and the foods they were eating. 98.6% of the women interviewed were well under the toxic amount of Vitamin A. Those that were consuming higher amounts, received the majority of this Vitamin A in synthetic form from prenatal vitamins and fortified foods. When you read the actual article published in the New England Journal of Medicine, very little of the Vitamin A supplied was via natural foods. The majority was via supplementation. This isn't the only study that has been done. In fact there have been several, dating back to 1967 in fact. The finding were slightly varied, based on methods, but there are some key features in these articles that need to be addressed.
The link between dietary Vitamin A and birth defects is literally non-existent. In fact, you would need to consume in excess of 20,000iu per day of retinol (not beta-carotene) over the course of weeks/months in order to induce an overdose dietarily. (if you are eating that much liver, you like liver way more than I am giving the population credit for.) Not a single study links Beta-Carotene consumption to birth defects. Because Liver is a rich source of Retinol (via esters), it has been the dietary black sheep for the prenatal diet since the first study linked high levels of Vitamin A (via synthetic). The amount of Vitamin A reserves found in Liver is not static and can range from 3,000iu per 3oz to 12,000iu per 3o, with some sources (depending on region and diet) can be upward of 25,000iu per ounce serving. This includes your Cod Liver Oil Fish Oil supplements. Liver in Pregnancy Take HomeSo, to reiterate:
Comment Revisited - Vitamin A Benefits LaborTo answer the question and concern left on my previous post about the fear of Liver consumption, excess Vitamin A and the possibility that I was giving out dangerous information. The answer is that consuming Liver in the last couple of weeks of pregnancy WILL NOT cause birth defects in your baby. The research supports these concerns IF, and only IF, there is an excess consumption of preformed (either dietary Retinol esters, or synthetic) during preconception and the first trimester. Liver is fair game in the preparation for Childbirth. In fact, the Retinoic Acid + Increasing levels of Estrogen at term are responsible for the stimulation and increase of Oxytocin receptors on the uterus.
74 Comments
Eva
2/9/2019 01:38:55 pm
Thank you so, so much for your article. I actually just found out i am 2 weeks pregnant (baby was conceived 2 weeks ago), and i had no idea liver could be a problem.
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Chhoden Wangchuk
10/23/2020 11:06:01 pm
Dear Eva
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Dunnis
9/27/2021 01:57:03 am
Hi Chhoden, was your baby fine? i had 200g of beef liver at week 10, i am 18 weeks now
Sabrina Tripodi
12/27/2022 06:30:24 am
Hi! I'm now in the same situation. Could you please tell me how are you and your baby now? THANKS! I'm Sabrina from Italy and I had 150gr of beef liver when I was 5 week pregnant
Sarah Thompson
2/9/2019 04:07:00 pm
Hi Eva,
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Eva
2/13/2019 02:16:19 pm
Dear Sarah,
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Ana
11/17/2022 07:53:24 am
Hello Eva,
Chhoden Wangchuk
10/23/2020 11:28:55 pm
Dear Sarah
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3/8/2019 01:38:20 am
Every time It gives superb updates in a blog and almost every day, there are lots of info in tools section like pregnancy nutrition myths, healthy food, diet during pregnancy, folic acid and many more. This is a complete pregnancy website.
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3/8/2019 09:30:08 am
Thank you so much for your comment. It is my goal to put forth as much information as I can to encourage knowledge and health.
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Kathleen
3/11/2019 10:20:04 am
Thank you so much for such well-researched and thoughtful responses to the question of retinol as part of prenatal nutrition. You mentioned you had a recommendation for a good prenatal--would love to know which one(s) you suggest!
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Sarah Thompson
3/11/2019 11:54:52 am
Hi Kathleen,
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M
4/3/2019 11:22:56 am
Hi Sarah,
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Sarah Thompson
4/3/2019 12:24:59 pm
Hi M,
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Christie
11/26/2019 09:17:26 am
Hi there,
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11/27/2019 03:27:56 pm
Hi Christie,
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Christie
11/27/2019 03:44:57 pm
Oh my gosh. That would be incredible. Thank you so much!!!
Nina Sharma
9/2/2022 02:12:11 pm
Hi Christie I am taking the exact same and now I'm so worried and scared because iv just found out that this can cause the broth defects. Please reassure me I'm sick with worry, I assume you've had your baby now and how is she/he?
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Bec
12/9/2019 03:46:26 am
I heard liver was good in pregnancy and began taking freeze dried capsules as soon as I found out I was pregnant. I am now regretting this and wishing I had waited until the third trimester. I took the recommended daily amount on the container daily. Can you advise of what the risk is for my child? Would it be picked up on in an ultrasound? What damage could I have done?
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Sarah Thompson
12/9/2019 08:42:30 am
Hi Bec,
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bec
12/11/2019 10:19:38 pm
I am from Australia - is there a way I can email or a good time to chat via skype or something similar?
Sarah Thompson
12/12/2019 12:34:58 pm
Hello Bec,
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Maria Vanessa
1/12/2020 11:24:21 pm
Hello Miss Sarah,
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Sarah Thompson
1/13/2020 02:32:23 pm
Hello Maria Vanessa,
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Bianca
1/14/2020 05:16:09 am
Hi Sarah.
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1/15/2020 09:05:05 am
Hello Bianca,
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Lisa
12/27/2022 04:14:18 am
How are you now ? Is everything oké with the baby ? I did the same. I am worried
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Neha
3/7/2020 03:02:18 am
Hi Sarah.
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Lyndsey
8/12/2020 07:14:11 pm
Hi
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8/13/2020 12:36:31 pm
Hi Lyndsey,
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Suzie
8/17/2020 05:11:42 pm
Hi,
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8/18/2020 06:46:45 am
Hello Suzie,
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Michelle
8/20/2020 04:44:22 am
Hi
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9/30/2020 01:27:40 pm
Hello Michelle,
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Lisa
12/27/2022 04:12:32 am
I am in de same situation. How are you now ? Is everything oké with your baby ? I hope so.
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Sarah Smith
9/30/2020 08:28:02 am
I just found this article. I think I’m miscarrying. Not totally sure yet. I had NO idea liver was problematic. My morning sickness was so much better this time around and I swear it was the organ meat but I’ve been taking 4 paleovalley supplements a day and ALSO snacking on epic beef liver bites. One bag is more than 10,000 IU and I’ve eaten a bag at least once plus the supplements. I’m so mad at myself and sad. Even through your article is encouraging I still fear I over did the liver thing. Ugh.
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9/30/2020 01:26:48 pm
Oh Sarah,
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2/4/2021 05:12:38 am
These are some great information that you have shared here about eating liver in pregnancy is it safe . I really loved it and thank you very much for sharing this with us. You have a great visualization and you have really presented this content in a really good manner.Do check out this Gembrahealth.com, it has some great and nice ideas to look for.
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Zuzu
2/13/2021 11:28:17 am
Thank you for this!
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Thank you so much for this article! Great break down of the research and explanation of why this is a misconception. I have people comment all the time on my pregnancy website about liver being bad during pregnancy. So nice to have somewhere to send them for quality info.
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Alexandra
8/11/2021 06:14:07 am
Hello! I am doing some research on taking intact liver as a supplement through pregnancy as someone who has had cholesatsis of pregnancy, twice! Would their be healing benefits for my liver? Would this be dangerous? It was given to me to help subside the itching and act as a healing supplement. I would love any info you could provide on it. Thanks!!
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10/12/2021 07:15:33 pm
Hi. Want to discuss if I am consuming too much beef liver. And too much vitamin a. Thanks!
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Jeanique
10/19/2021 06:06:57 am
Hi! Just coming across your article as I heard for the first time about the risk of large amounts of Vitamin A during pregnancy, and the connection to liver.
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10/20/2021 01:30:25 pm
Hello Jeanique,
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Lisa
12/27/2022 04:09:46 am
I am in the same position.
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Susie
11/17/2022 07:06:36 pm
What prenatal would you recommend? Trying to find the best available one can be overwhelming
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Chopstick
11/24/2022 10:13:43 am
Hey there,
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Charlotte
11/26/2022 12:42:07 am
Hello,
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Leah
12/6/2022 10:47:41 pm
Reading through these comments, I just wanted to say that during my second pregnancy I took the recommended dose of ancestral supplements grass fed beef liver and cod liver oil also thinking it was “nature’s multivitamin”.. during the first trimester..I had a very easy pregnancy with no nausea compared to extreme nausea with my first taking traditional prenatals.. my baby is a year old now, healthy and bright. Obviously this is no substitute for medical advice, but I figured I would share my story for those who are nervous!
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Lisa
12/12/2022 10:11:34 am
I am worried sick. I have so much anxiety over this. I ate liver once maybe 100-150 gram before I knew I was pregnant. Can we have contact please ?
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Sabrina Tripodi
12/27/2022 02:00:27 am
Dear Lisa, I'm from Italy and I'm in the same situation. I had more or less 150 gr of beef liver when I was 5 week pregnant. I'm so scared and I feel myself so stupid 😭 I really didn't know liver was Dangerous...
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Lisa
12/27/2022 04:04:03 am
I would like to know. I did a lot of research on this. There are studies too that say vitamine a does not cause birth defects
Sabrina Tripodi
12/27/2022 04:20:12 am
Dear Lisa,
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Lisa
12/27/2022 07:43:13 am
If your grandmother ate it in her first trimester and everthing turned out good we must trust that everthing will turn out good for us too.
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Sabrina Tripodi
12/27/2022 07:49:29 am
Unfortunally I can't ask to her, she Is not with us anymore. But She had 4 babies all good and healthy ❤️ I Hope all the best for you ❤️
Lisa
2/16/2023 11:02:59 am
How are you know?
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Sabrina
2/16/2023 11:24:02 am
Hi Lisa! Thank you for the message ❤️ I also had 12 weeks ultra sound and DNA test and everything was good (I'm now 14+3).
Lisa
3/30/2023 05:14:50 am
Dear Sabrina,
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Sabrina Tripodi
4/7/2023 02:16:05 am
Hi Lisa! I had two ultrasound (One at the ospital and One at May private doctor) and everything seems fine ❤️ we have to try to be more relaxed and enjoy these few months left 🍀 🤞👏
Lisa
6/11/2023 11:14:11 pm
Hi Sabrina,
Lisa
6/18/2023 09:46:37 am
Hope everthing is oké with you and your baby…. I messaged you earlier.
Sabrina
7/12/2023 11:35:06 am
Hi Lisa,
Lisa
7/20/2023 02:41:56 am
I am so happy to hear from you. I and 35+5 right now. Got a 28 and 32 ultrasound and everything is good!
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Bec
12/27/2022 04:39:37 pm
Hi all!
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Lisa
12/28/2022 08:02:04 am
Thank you for sharing !
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Bec
12/28/2022 02:11:46 pm
Yes I did. I ate a lot. I was having 4 capsules of freeze dried liver daily for the entire first trimester. I then panicked too but I have not found any research to warrant the panic. I consumed more regularly with my second born too.
Chelsea
3/14/2023 12:03:51 pm
Hi Bec, I found out I was pregnant last week. I’ve been taking 4 liver supplement pills a day plus cod liver oil and also a prenatal that has vitamin a for about 2 and half months now. It totals around 10,500 ius a day. I am extremely worried and wondering what I should do.
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Bec
3/17/2023 05:46:26 pm
Sounds like that’s a really healthy way to start your pregnancy and that it’s no warrant for stress or worry.
Jessa
4/26/2023 08:34:53 pm
Hi there,
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Fallon Brooks
7/24/2023 03:16:03 pm
Thank you so much for your article. We are trying to concieve, and I would prefer to get off my prenatals. I've been taking (Paleo Valley) fish roe supplements, Dessicated Beef Organ supplements, Liquid Cod Liver Oil, and eating sardines every day. I recently incorporated a can of cod liver and am wondering if all of this is too much? If not, how often can I eat the cod liver? I actually like it quite a bit and find myself craving it. Thank you in advance for your insight!
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Wove anorak
10/9/2023 02:15:03 pm
wove anorak
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Zoe
12/2/2023 09:08:31 pm
Just found out I’m pregnant! Which prenatal do you recommend? Thank you!
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