The “Like Supports Like” Concept: How Eating Organs Can Support Our Own

In recent years, the concept of “like supports like” has gained attention within holistic and nutritional therapy circles. The idea is simple but powerful: consuming animal organs may support your body's corresponding organ. Rooted in traditional practices, this idea has renewed interest as emerging research sheds light on how glandular—animal-derived tissues used for supplementation—may benefit human health.

The notion that eating a specific organ can strengthen the same organ in the body has deep historical roots. Ancient cultures, from Traditional Chinese Medicine to Native American healing practices, consumed organs to promote vitality and well-being. Today, many functional medicine and nutritional therapy practitioners are revisiting this age-old wisdom with modern clinical research.1

What Is Glandular Therapy?

Glandular therapy involves using animal organ tissues, often from cows or pigs, in supplement form to support human health. These supplements contain raw, freeze-dried, or powdered animal organs, which are thought to provide essential nutrients, enzymes, and growth factors that support the corresponding organs in the human body.

The basic premise of glandular therapy is that specific organs, such as the liver, thyroid, or adrenals, contain unique nutrients vital to the health and function of those same organs in our bodies. For example, the liver contains vitamins, minerals, and proteins that are essential for detoxification, and consuming liver from an animal may support your own liver’s function.

The Science Behind “Like Supports Like”

Although the concept of “like supports like” may sound somewhat mystical, several studies and observations support the idea that consuming animal organs may indeed benefit human health. A particularly relevant piece of research was published by Clinical Education, highlighting the modern applications of glandular therapy for addressing chronic disease and promoting overall wellness. According to the article, glandular therapy has shown promise in supporting a variety of bodily functions, particularly in people with chronic conditions or weakened organ systems.

The reasoning behind glandular therapy goes beyond basic nutrition. Organs are rich in essential vitamins and minerals and are a source of biologically active molecules that influence specific organ function. For instance, glands such as the thyroid or adrenal glands contain hormones and hormone precursors that may help support those same glands in the human body, thus offering direct and targeted nutritional support for individuals suffering from dysfunction or fatigue in those areas.

Case Study: Thyroid Glandular Supplements

Thyroid dysfunction, particularly hypothyroidism, is a common condition, especially among women. Some studies suggest that consuming thyroid glandulars containing natural thyroid hormones and proteins may offer support for people with underactive thyroids. Whole Health Chicago reports that thyroid glandulars have been used in natural medicine for decades and may offer an alternative for those who do not tolerate synthetic thyroid medications.1 While more research is needed to confirm the exact benefits, anecdotal evidence from functional medicine practitioners suggests that many people find glandulars helpful in balancing thyroid function and managing symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Adrenal Glandulars for Stress and Energy

The adrenal glands play a critical role in managing stress by producing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. When these glands become overworked due to chronic stress, a condition known as adrenal fatigue can develop, leading to symptoms such as exhaustion, brain fog, and a weakened immune system.

Some functional medicine practitioners recommend adrenal glandular supplements to provide the nutrients necessary for rebuilding and supporting adrenal function. These glandular supplements contain proteins and hormones that may stimulate the adrenal glands in people experiencing fatigue. While clinical studies are still catching up, there’s a growing body of anecdotal evidence and observational research that supports their use. For example, glandular supplements derived from bovine adrenal glands have been used in patients experiencing chronic stress and fatigue with encouraging results.

Historical Use of Glandulars

Consuming organ meats or glands to support health is not a new concept. Ancient cultures worldwide practiced organ consumption to heal and strengthen specific body parts. For example, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, animal organs were often prescribed to individuals with weakened corresponding organs. Liver was consumed for eye and blood health, while kidney was recommended to support vitality and reproductive function.

Native American tribes also practiced nose-to-tail eating, believing that each part of the animal provided unique nutritional and medicinal benefits. The Plains tribes, for example, consumed the raw adrenal glands of bison to enhance strength and endurance during long hunts. The spiritual and nutritional practice emphasized a deep connection between humans and the animals they consumed.

Nutritional Value of Organ Meats

Organ meats, often called "offal," are nutrient powerhouses containing vitamins and minerals that are not always found in other animal parts. When we examine the nutritional content of liver, heart, and kidneys, it becomes clear why these organs were historically consumed to support health. For example, liver is an excellent source of vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin critical for immune function, vision, and skin health. It also contains high levels of iron, B vitamins, copper, and folate—nutrients essential for energy production and blood health.

Other organs, such as the heart, are rich in Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), an antioxidant that supports cardiovascular health and mitochondrial function. Kidneys are an excellent source of selenium, which can positively impact thyroid health and overall immune function.

Given the dense nutritional profile of organ meats, it’s easy to see why they have been regarded as powerful foods for supporting the body’s organs. While some of the benefits can be attributed to general nutrition, glandular therapy takes this a step further by suggesting that the biological makeup of these organs can directly support the same organ in the consumer.

Modern Research on Glandular Therapy

In addition to historical practices, modern research is beginning to validate the potential benefits of glandular therapy. Recent research has shown that glandular extracts have been shown to contain biologically active compounds that can influence human health. Glandular extracts contain peptides, enzymes, and growth factors that may help regenerate damaged tissues and support organ function.2

Research points out that glandulars can act as tissue-specific nutrients, which means they may target the same organ in the human body from which they were derived. This concept opens up exciting possibilities for using glandular therapy to support health in individuals with organ-specific diseases or dysfunctions.3 However, more large-scale clinical trials are needed to fully understand the scope of glandular therapy’s effectiveness and safety.

Commonly Used Glandular Supplements

The most common types of glandular supplements used today include:

• Liver: Used for detoxification, energy production, and overall vitality. The liver is rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K and iron, zinc, and B vitamins.

• Thyroid: Typically used to support thyroid function in individuals with hypothyroidism. These glandulars may contain natural thyroid hormones and are sometimes used as an alternative to synthetic thyroid medications.

• Adrenal: Often recommended for people suffering from adrenal fatigue or chronic stress. These supplements are thought to help restore energy and balance to the adrenal glands.

• Pancreas: Used to support digestive health and blood sugar regulation. Pancreas glandular may contain enzymes such as amylase, protease, and lipase, which aid in the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Is Glandular Therapy Safe?

Like any supplement, glandular therapy should be approached with care. It's important to source glandular products from reputable companies that use clean, hormone-free animals. Quality and purity are critical, as poorly processed glandular products can introduce toxins or contaminants into the body.

We recommend consulting a healthcare professional before starting any specific glandular supplements, especially for individuals with underlying health conditions or those taking medications. But consuming organ meats is a great way to start giving your organs the support they need. 

Conclusion

The concept of “like supports like” taps into both ancient wisdom and modern science. While it may seem unconventional, glandular therapy offers a promising approach to supporting organ function and overall health. Whether you’re seeking to boost your thyroid, support adrenal health, or enhance your body’s detoxification processes, glandular supplements derived from animal organs can provide a unique and targeted form of nutrition.

As the science behind glandular therapy continues to evolve, it’s important to remain informed and make thoughtful decisions about your health. While more clinical research is needed, the existing evidence and historical practices suggest that “like supports like” may hold valuable insights into how we nourish our bodies.

Citations:

1. ‘Using Glandular Therapies.’ WholeHealth Chicago, 15 Jan. 2013, https://wholehealthchicago.com/blog/2013/01/14/using-glandular-therapies.

2. Ash, Michael E. Glandular Therapies: An Age-Old Solution for Modern Challenges and Chronic Disease. Clinical Education, 3 Apr. 2019, https://www.clinicaleducation.org/news/glandular-therapies-an-age-old-solution-for-modern-challenges-and-chronic-disease/.

3. Isaacs, Linda L. ‘A Brief History of Glandular Therapy: More than Just Thyroid.’ Integrative Medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), vol. 22, no. 2, May 2023, pp. 26–31, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37363152.