Written by the Plenthera team (trained in orthomolecular nutrition). Scientifically reviewed in April 2026. Last updated: 18 September 2026.
For centuries, organ meat was part of the human diet — liver, heart and kidneys were always eaten first from a slaughtered animal. In modern times, organs have largely disappeared from the Western menu, even though they are among the most nutrient-dense foods in the world. Organ supplements — freeze-dried in capsule form — restore that "ancestral" connection. At Plenthera you will find premium organ supplements from Big Food and Real Roots, from grass-fed cattle and without heat extraction.
Which organ supplement suits you?
| Organ | Characteristic nutrients | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Liver | Vitamin A, B12, copper, iron, folic acid | General nutrient density, first-line choice |
| Heart | CoQ10, taurine, B vitamins | Mitochondrial and cardiovascular theme |
| Organ mix | Complete profile from several organs | Nose-to-tail in one capsule |
| Adrenal & liver / Thyroid & liver | Gland-specific profile + liver | Targeted 'like supports like' approach |
| Pancreas, lung, testicle, brain | Organ-specific matrix (brain: DHA) | Deepening the nose-to-tail route |
What are organ supplements?
Organ supplements are freeze-dried organs — mainly liver and heart, but also organ mixes, glands and other organs — from grass-fed animals, encapsulated without heat extraction. A wholefood supplement that is part of the paleo, carnivore and ancestral health movements.
In the evolutionary context of human nutrition, organs played a central role. Hunter-gatherers ate "nose-to-tail" — all parts of the animal, with the organs as the most prized cuts because of their nutrient density. Liver in particular is one of the most nutrient-rich foods in the world: 100 grams of beef liver contains approximately 5-10 mg vitamin A (retinol), 60-70 µg vitamin B12, 10 mg copper, 5-6 mg iron, plus considerable amounts of folic acid and choline.
In modern times, organs have largely disappeared from the Western menu — due to cultural shifts, convenience and taste preferences. Since around 2018-2020, a counter-movement has emerged: paleo, carnivore and ancestral health followers are returning to this traditional wholefood supplement. Organ supplements — freeze-dried in capsule form — offer a practical way to include organs in your diet without having to eat fresh organs.
Important to know: organ supplements are deliberately not a vegan option. They are specifically for those who follow the ancestral/paleo/carnivore route and deliberately choose animal-based wholefood. Important consideration: vitamin A in liver supplements can be high — caution is advised for pregnant women. Also see our bone broth category and collagen category for related products from the ancestral cluster.
Science, nutrient density and EFSA claims
For organ supplements as a category, there are no overarching EFSA claims. However, individual nutrients in liver, heart and other organs do have authorised claims, which apply once a daily dose provides at least 15% of the reference intake:
"Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal skin, of normal vision and to the normal function of the immune system."
"Vitamin B12 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism and to the normal functioning of the nervous system."
"Copper contributes to the maintenance of normal connective tissues and to the normal function of the immune system."
"Iron contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue."
CoQ10 in heart is being researched in the context of mitochondrial energy metabolism. Modern research into organ supplements as such is limited — mostly extrapolation from the individual nutrients. The wholefood thesis (synergy of components in a natural matrix) is plausible, but not causally proven.
We make no claims about the effects of organ supplements as a whole. In pregnancy (liver supplements because of retinol) and with hereditary conditions (haemochromatosis, Wilson's disease): consult a doctor beforehand, in line with the advice of the NVWA (Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority).
The main organs — what provides what?
Liver: Highest nutrient density. Per 100 g: approximately 5-10 mg vitamin A, 60-70 µg B12, 10 mg copper, 5-6 mg iron, folic acid, choline. POINT OF ATTENTION: the tolerable upper intake level for vitamin A (EFSA UL) is 3,000 µg retinol per day; the recommended daily amount is 680-800 µg. A few capsules of freeze-dried liver stay well below this, fresh liver not always.
Heart: Rich in CoQ10 (~30 mg/100 g — comparable to some Q10 supplements), B vitamins, taurine, iron. For the mitochondrial and cardiovascular theme.
Adrenal and thyroid: Glands with their own matrix of peptides and minerals; in the ancestral tradition combined with liver according to the 'like supports like' principle. They contain no hormones in active amounts — they are foods, not medicines.
Pancreas and lung: Organ-specific protein and enzyme matrix; deepening the nose-to-tail route.
Testicle: Traditionally used in ancestral cuisine; provides protein, zinc and selenium.
Brain: High DHA content and phospholipids. In the EU, bovine brains from animals older than 12 months are classified as specified risk material (Regulation (EC) 999/2001) when they originate from EU Member States or from countries with a controlled or undetermined BSE risk. Our Brain product comes from grass-fed cattle from New Zealand, a country with the official status of 'negligible BSE risk', and may therefore be sold in the EU.
Kidney, spleen and bone marrow: Also nutrient-dense (selenium, iron, fatty acids), but not currently available as a separate supplement in our range; part of organ mixes.
The organ supplements at Plenthera
Liver supplements (capsules)
Freeze-dried grass-fed beef liver in capsule form — from Big Food (organic and grass-fed, 180 capsules) and Real Roots (180 capsules of 500 mg). The most common organ supplement and our first-line recommendation.
Heart supplement and Runderhart Bites
Real Roots Runderhart in capsules (90 × 500 mg) for those who want to approach CoQ10 and the mitochondrial theme with wholefood. In addition, Runderhart Bites (150 g): dried grass-fed beef as a snack — a food, not a supplement.
Beef organ mix (Runder Orgaanmix)
Complete organ profile in one formula (180 capsules of 500 mg). For those who want the nose-to-tail approach in one capsule.
Gland combinations: Adrenal & Liver, Thyroid & Liver
Targeted combinations of glandular tissue with liver (90 capsules of 500 mg), following the 'like supports like' principle from the ancestral tradition.
Pancreas, Lung, Testicle and Brain
In-depth single-organ capsules from Real Roots (90 × 500 mg). Brain consists of 80% beef brain and 20% beef liver, from cattle from New Zealand.
Oervoer-combinatie: Bone Broth & Beef Liver
Big Food combination of bone broth collagen and beef liver capsules — the ancestral cluster in one package.
How do you use organ supplements?
A simple basic approach to organ supplements:
- Determine your goal: general wholefood supplementation (liver), mitochondrial (heart), targeted (adrenal or thyroid with liver), complete (organ mix).
- Start with the recommended dosage on the label — usually 2-6 capsules per day, equivalent to 1-3 g freeze-dried organ.
- Split over two moments — morning and afternoon.
- Take with a meal for optimal absorption.
- If pregnant or trying to conceive: avoid liver supplements or calculate your retinol intake carefully (EFSA UL 3,000 µg/day; the Voedingscentrum (Netherlands Nutrition Centre) advises pregnant women not to eat liver). Heart or an organ mix without liver are then the alternative. Consult the Gezondheidsraad (Health Council of the Netherlands) guidelines for pregnancy.
- With a predisposition to haemochromatosis: caution with iron-rich organs (liver, organ mix).
- With Wilson's disease: do NOT use liver supplements (copper accumulation).
Myths and misconceptions about organ supplements
Myth 1: "Organ supplements are only for carnivores."
Not only — for anyone who values wholefood nutrient density: paleo, ancestral health, traditional eaters. Not for vegans, of course.
Myth 2: "Liver supplements are always safe."
Not during pregnancy. Vitamin A from liver adds to other sources and the upper limit of 3,000 µg retinol per day must not be exceeded — there is a teratogenic risk. For pregnant women: avoid or dose precisely.
Myth 3: "A heart supplement replaces CoQ10."
Heart contains CoQ10 in a natural matrix, but the dosage is lower than with classic Q10 supplements. For targeted Q10 goals (for example with statin use), a standardised Kaneka Q10 is the more logical choice.
Myth 4: "The more organ supplements, the better."
Incorrect — vitamin A and copper can accumulate with high intake. Stick to the dosage on the label.
Combining organ with other supplements
Organ supplements fit into a wholefood cluster. Popular combinations:
- Bone broth: ancestral wholefood cluster.
- Collagen: complementary connective tissue theme.
- Fish Oil: omega-3 supplementation that is missing from most organ supplements.
- Vitamin D: for broad basic coverage.
- Magnesium: mineral supplementation outside the organ spectrum.
- Vitamin K2: for the bone theme.
Frequently asked questions
What are organ supplements?
Freeze-dried organs (liver, heart, organ mix, glands) from grass-fed animals in capsule form. Part of paleo/carnivore/ancestral.
Which organ supplements are there?
Liver, heart, organ mix, adrenal & liver, thyroid & liver, pancreas, lung, testicle and brain. Liver is the most common.
How many organ supplements per day?
2-6 capsules of 500 mg per day, equivalent to 1-3 g freeze-dried organ. Follow the label.
Does a liver supplement help with tiredness?
Liver contains B12, iron and copper. Authorised claims apply to iron and B12: "Iron contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue" and "Vitamin B12 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism". Not as an overarching organ claim.
What is the difference between a liver and a heart supplement?
Liver: highest nutrient density (vitamin A, B12). Heart: CoQ10, taurine, B vitamins.
Can liver supplements be taken during pregnancy?
Caution — the upper limit for vitamin A is 3,000 µg retinol per day and the Voedingscentrum (Netherlands Nutrition Centre) advises pregnant women not to eat liver. Consult your midwife or doctor.
Which brand of organ supplement is the best?
At Plenthera: Big Food (Dutch, organic and grass-fed) and Real Roots (grass-fed, freeze-dried without heating, including from New Zealand). Grass-fed origin and freeze-drying without heating are the quality criteria.
Do organ supplements have side effects?
Possible excess vitamin A (liver), copper accumulation in Wilson's disease, iron accumulation with a predisposition to haemochromatosis.
Carnivore diet and organ supplements?
Often used as a practical supplement — wholefood organ meat in a capsule.
Is an organ supplement really meat?
Yes — freeze-dried organs, not an extract. Wholefood in a capsule.
Sources
- EFSA Regulation (EU) 432/2012 — claims for vitamin A, B12, copper, iron.
- EFSA (2024) — Scientific opinion on the tolerable upper intake level for preformed vitamin A and β-carotene (UL 3,000 µg retinol/day).
- Regulation (EC) 999/2001, Annex V — specified risk material.
- USDA FoodData Central — nutritional values of beef liver and beef heart.
- Price WA., "Nutrition and Physical Degeneration" (1939) — historical ancestral source.
- Cordain L., "The Paleo Diet" (2002) — paleo theme source.
Disclaimer: This text is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Organ supplements are food supplements, not medicines. If in doubt or if you take medication, we recommend consulting a doctor or orthomolecular therapist first.