Desiccated Liver

Desiccated Liver

(Universal's Uni-Liver; NOW's Liver Powder)

In the 1960s to 80s, desiccated liver was a very popular bodybuilding supplement. Many old-time bodybuilders swore by it. Desiccated liver is liver that has been made into a dry powder and sold in pill or powder form. It would thus best be described as a "supplemental food." By this term is meant supplements that are real natural foods not synthetic products like most supplements, but they are processed in some way to make them easier to take on a regular basis.

With desiccated liver you get all of the high quality protein and other nutrients naturally found in liver but without the less than desirable taste of liver. Desiccated liver is usually defatted, so you also avoid the saturated fat and cholesterol of liver.

However, desiccated liver fell out of favor by the end of the 1980s due to the glut of other "muscle-building" products that began arriving on the scene. Now, it can even hard to find it. But companies that still make desiccated liver products are Beverly International, Healthy ‘n Fit, NOW, Parrillo, and Universal. It would be best to be sure the liver is derived from hormone-free cattle.

Universal's Uni-Liver is one such product that is less expensive than some of the others. It is also "enhanced" with whey protein to increase the protein content of each tablet. The following is the nutrient contest of just two tablets.

Nutrient – Amount Per Serving – % DV
Calories – 14
Protein – 3.2g – 6%
Thiamin – 80mcg – 6%
Riboflavin – 800mcg – 48%
Niacin – 4mg – 20%
Vitamin B6 – 160mcg – 8%
Folic Acid – 104mcg – 26%
Vitamin B12 – 48mcg – 800%
Biotin – 20mcg – 6%
Para-Aminobenzoic Acid 52mcg
Choline 160mg
Inositol 28mg

The 3.2 grams of protein may not sound like much, but it is very high quality protein. And if you take the recommended 2-4 tablets with each meal, that can significantly increase your intake of protein, along with of the other mentioned nutrients.

One of the NOW products is also interesting as it is a powder and contains no ingredients other than desiccated liver. I have begun to add it to my pre-workout drink. One tablespoon contains seven grams of high quality protein. Combined with Twinlab Brewer's Yeast, this adds 15 grams of protein. I thus only use half a scoop rather than a full scoop of protein powder.

Universal's Uni-Liver is available from Bodybuilding.com.

NOW's Liver Powder is available from WebVitamins and iHerb.
For iHerb, when checking out, use referral code HOP815 to receive $5.00 off your first order.

The above article was posted on this site April 1, 2009.

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