Organ Meats for Fertility, Mother Nature's Prenatal - Part One

Part One: How Organ Meats Support Reproductive Hormones

In this first installment of "Mother Nature's Prenatal," a deep dive into how organ meats can boost fertility and support a healthy pregnancy, we'll focus on how they provide essential nutrients that regulate and balance the body’s reproductive hormones. Each is necessary for conception and sustaining pregnancy. Organ meats offer bioavailable sources of nutrients to support reproductive hormones and optimize reproductive health.

The Role of Ancestral Diets in Fertility

Our ancestors understood that consuming the entire animal—muscle meat, organs, bones, and even blood—was essential for thriving health. They practiced a nose-to-tail approach to eating, ensuring they received the full spectrum of nutrients necessary for survival and reproduction.1 Organ meats, particularly, were revered and often prioritized by pregnant women, new mothers, and those trying to conceive. In many traditional cultures, these nutrient-rich foods were considered sacred and passed down through generations as fertility-boosting staples.2

Organs deliver abundant vitamins and minerals in their most bioavailable forms—meaning the body can absorb and use them efficiently. Today, many people have moved away from this ancestral wisdom, instead relying on modern diets often deficient in key nutrients needed for optimal reproductive health. However, organ meats are making a comeback as more people realize their extraordinary nutritional power, including enhancing fertility.

Understanding Reproductive Hormones and Fertility

Hormonal balance is essential for fertility. The complex interplay between reproductive hormones governs everything from the menstrual cycle and ovulation to preparing the body for pregnancy. Any disruption or imbalance in these hormones can result in irregular cycles, difficulty conceiving, or early pregnancy loss. Let’s explore the major reproductive hormones and how they support fertility:

• Estrogen: Supports the development of the uterine lining and regulates the menstrual cycle.3

• Progesterone: Prepares the uterine lining for implantation and sustains pregnancy.4

• Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH): Stimulates the development of ovarian follicles and egg maturation.5

• Luteinizing Hormone (LH): Triggers ovulation and egg release.6

• Testosterone: Helps regulate libido and supports ovarian health.7

• Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG): Sustains early pregnancy by maintaining progesterone production.8

Balancing these hormones is crucial for fertility and pregnancy. Organ meats, rich in vitamins, minerals, and essential fats, support the body’s natural hormone production, ensuring a harmonious balance.

1. Estrogen: The Primary Female Hormone

Estrogen is a very important hormone in reproductive health. It’s responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle, preparing the lining of the uterus for implantation, and supporting the maturation of eggs. A healthy balance of estrogen is key to conceiving, but excess estrogen—often referred to as estrogen dominance—can lead to infertility-related issues like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), irregular cycles, and ovulatory dysfunction.

How Organ Meats Support Estrogen Balance
Organ meats, particularly liver, are rich in nutrients that support estrogen metabolism and detoxification. Vitamin A (retinol), found abundantly in liver, plays a critical role in estrogen metabolism. It helps the body balance estrogen levels by supporting the liver’s detoxification pathways, preventing excess estrogen buildup associated with hormonal imbalances.9

Additionally, the high levels of B vitamins, particularly B6 and B12, found in organ meats are essential for properly synthesizing and utilizing estrogen. These vitamins help the body break down estrogen and ensure it’s used effectively, preventing estrogen dominance, which can inhibit ovulation and conception.10

Choline, another nutrient abundant in the liver, further supports estrogen metabolism by aiding in the production of cell membranes and facilitating estrogen detoxification. Choline is essential for healthy liver function, where estrogen is processed and metabolized.11

2. Progesterone: The Pregnancy Hormone

Progesterone is critical for fertility and maintaining a pregnancy. After ovulation, progesterone levels rise to prepare the uterine lining for a potential embryo. If conception occurs, progesterone remains elevated to support the developing embryo and prevent uterine contractions that could disrupt implantation. Low progesterone levels are associated with infertility, miscarriage, and luteal phase defects (a short second half of the menstrual cycle).4

How Organ Meats Support Progesterone Production
Progesterone production requires a diet rich in zinc, vitamin C, and cholesterol—all of which are provided by organ meats. Liver is an excellent source of zinc, a mineral crucial for the proper function of the ovaries and the synthesis of progesterone. Zinc deficiency can impair progesterone production, leading to a higher risk of miscarriage and ovulation problems.12

The liver is also high in cholesterol, the precursor for all steroid hormones, including progesterone. Without enough cholesterol in the diet, the body struggles to produce adequate levels of progesterone, potentially leading to fertility issues—explaining why low-fat or cholesterol-free diets can negatively impact reproductive health.13

3. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH): The Egg-Developer

FSH stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles, which house and nourish eggs until ovulation. Adequate levels of FSH are crucial for ensuring that eggs mature properly, allowing them to be released during ovulation. If FSH levels are too low, eggs may not develop fully, leading to ovulation problems or suboptimal fertility.5

How Organ Meats Support FSH Production
Organ meats, especially liver, provide the B vitamins and iron necessary for ovarian health and FSH production. B9 (folate) and B12 play critical roles in cell division and DNA synthesis, ensuring healthy egg development and maturation.14  Folate, in particular, helps prevent chromosomal abnormalities in eggs, which can hinder fertility.

The iron in organ meats also supports blood health and oxygen transport, which is critical for ovarian function and overall reproductive health. Iron deficiency, common in women of childbearing age, can impair the ovaries' ability to function properly and lead to fertility challenges.15

4. Luteinizing Hormone (LH): The Ovulation Trigger

LH works alongside FSH to regulate ovulation. A surge in LH levels triggers the mature egg to release from the ovarian follicle— making this the most fertile phase of the menstrual cycle. Without adequate LH, ovulation may not occur, leading to difficulties in conceiving.6

How Organ Meats Support LH Production
The omega-3 fatty acids in organ meats, particularly in the liver and heart, reduce inflammation and support healthy hormone balance. Omega-3s assist in regulating the production of LH and FSH—ensuring that the menstrual cycle stays on track and ovulation occurs regularly.16

In addition, organ meats are rich in coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), an antioxidant that supports energy production in the ovaries and promotes healthy egg development. CoQ10 can improve egg quality and support ovarian function, which is critical for maintaining healthy LH levels and ovulation.17

5. Testosterone: The Libido and Ovary-Supporting Hormone

While often thought of as a male hormone, testosterone plays an important role in female fertility as well. It supports the maturation of ovarian follicles, contributes to libido, and helps maintain energy levels. Too much or too little testosterone can disrupt ovulation and lead to issues like PCOS.18

Organ Meats Support Testosterone Balance
Organ meats, especially liver and kidneys, are rich in zinc, which regulates testosterone production in both men and women. Zinc helps optimize healthy testosterone levels. Zinc supports the delicate balance of estrogen and testosterone in women, ensuring that the ovaries function optimally and that testosterone levels remain within the healthy range.19

6. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG): The Pregnancy Hormone

hCG is produced after implantation and is responsible for maintaining high levels of progesterone to sustain early pregnancy. Without sufficient hCG, progesterone levels drop, leading to menstruation and the loss of the pregnancy. Ensuring adequate levels of hCG is vital for a successful pregnancy.8

How Organ Meats Support hCG Production
Organ meats, particularly liver, provide essential nutrients like folate, choline, and vitamin A that support egg health and early embryonic development. These nutrients help ensure that hCG levels are maintained and that the pregnancy continues to progress in its early stages.

Folate, in particular, is critical during the early stages of pregnancy. It helps prevent neural tube defects and supports the overall development of the embryo, reducing the risk of miscarriage.20 Choline, another nutrient found in liver, supports brain development in the fetus and enhances the body’s ability to produce and maintain hCG levels.20

Conclusion: The Power of Organ Meats for Fertility

Organ meats are potent, nutrient-dense foods that support every phase of reproductive health, from hormone balance to egg development and sustaining a healthy pregnancy. Our ancestors understood the value of these nutrient-rich foods, consuming them as part of a nose-to-tail diet to ensure they got the complete spectrum of vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids needed to thrive and pass those benefits on to the next generation.

Today, science backs up what traditional cultures knew intuitively: the nutrients found in organ meats—like vitamin A, zinc, B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids—play a critical role in balancing reproductive hormones, enhancing fertility, and preparing the body for a healthy pregnancy. Whether supporting estrogen metabolism, boosting progesterone production, or ensuring proper ovulation through FSH and LH balance, organ meats provide the building blocks for a fertile and hormone-healthy body.

Incorporating organ meats like liver, heart, and kidney into your diet may be one of the most effective, natural ways to support your fertility. These foods offer an unmatched combination of nutrients essential for reproductive health and overall wellness, making them a cornerstone of Mother Nature’s prenatal toolkit.

In the next part of our "Mother Nature’s Prenatal" series, we will discuss sperm health and how incorporating organ meats can improve sperm quality and increase healthy conception. 

Citations:

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2. Price, W. Nutrition and Physical Degeneration: A Comparison of Primitive and Modern Diets and Their Effects (Hardback). 2010.

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10. Kim, Keewan, et al. ‘Dietary Intakes of Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B-6, and Vitamin B-12 and Ovarian Cycle Function among Premenopausal Women’. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, vol. 120, no. 5, Elsevier BV, May 2020, pp. 885–892, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2019.10.013.

11. Mehedint, Mihai G., and Steven H. Zeisel. ‘Cholineʼs Role in Maintaining Liver Function’. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, vol. 16, no. 3, Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health), May 2013, pp. 339–345, https://doi.org/10.1097/mco.0b013e3283600d46.

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14. Kim, Keewan, et al. ‘Dietary Intakes of Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B-6, and Vitamin B-12 and Ovarian Cycle Function among Premenopausal Women’. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, vol. 120, no. 5, Elsevier BV, May 2020, pp. 885–892, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2019.10.013.

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17. Xu, Yangying, et al. ‘Pretreatment with Coenzyme Q10 Improves Ovarian Response and Embryo Quality in Low-Prognosis Young Women with Decreased Ovarian Reserve: A Randomized Controlled Trial’. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology: RB&E, vol. 16, no. 1, Springer Science and Business Media LLC, Dec. 2018, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12958-018-0343-0.

18. Dong, Jiawen, and D. Aled Rees. ‘Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Opportunities’. BMJ Medicine, vol. 2, no. 1, BMJ, Oct. 2023, p. e000548, https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjmed-2023-000548.

19. Te, Liger, et al. ‘Correlation between Serum Zinc and Testosterone: A Systematic Review’. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology: Organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS), vol. 76, no. 127124, Elsevier BV, Mar. 2023, p. 127124, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2022.127124.

20. Seyoum Tola, Fikadu. ‘The Concept of Folic Acid Supplementation and Its Role in Prevention of Neural Tube Defect among Pregnant Women: PRISMA’. Medicine, vol. 103, no. 19, Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health), May 2024, p. e38154, https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000038154.