Controversial Thoughts: Should you worry about vitamin A toxicity from liver?

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Paul Saladino32m · 2021-05-07

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Well SupportedSupplementing with retinol and iron in boys with delayed puberty can induce puberty as effectively as testosterone replacement therapy.Well SupportedConsuming half an ounce of liver daily during pregnancy is safe and provides essential nutrients for fetal development.Well SupportedLiver contains unique nutrients that are critical for the human diet and were historically treated with great respect and value by groups like the Hadza.Well SupportedLiver and egg yolks are excellent sources of vitamin A for carnivore diets.Well Supported

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Bookmarking — the dossier-vs-overview split is the right call. Most of the time I want overview; sometimes I want receipts.

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A recommended daily intake of 0.5 to 1 ounce of liver, fresh or desiccated, is impactful and unlikely to cause vitamin A toxicity.

Well SupportedAncestral peoples and hunter-gatherers likely consumed a wide variety of organ meats, including testicles, heart, spleen, pancreas, kidney, and liver.

Well SupportedFive ounces of cow's liver per day, consumed for years, would contain approximately 25,000 IU of vitamin A, the threshold for potential toxicity.

Partially SupportedChronic vitamin A toxicity can result from daily intakes greater than 25,000 IU for over six years or 100,000 IU for over six months.

Partially SupportedSupplemental vitamin A palmitate may be absorbed more avidly than natural retinol.

Partially SupportedConsuming enough cow's liver daily to reach the vitamin A toxicity level of polar bear liver is not feasible.

Partially SupportedConsuming over a pound of sweet potatoes daily is needed to meet the RDA for vitamin A, compared to a few grams of liver.

Partially SupportedAn earlier Spanish study found that vitamin A doses over 40,000 IU increased birth defect risk, but doses up to 20,000-40,000 IU were associated with a 50% lower risk of birth defects.

Well SupportedThe conversion of beta-carotene to retinoic acid is poor and influenced by genetic polymorphisms like BCMO1.

Partially SupportedConsuming 1-2 ounces of liver per day is ideal for humans to thrive and achieve optimal health, including healthy hormones, libido, and successful conception/pregnancy.

Partially SupportedHeart and Soil's Skin Hair Nails supplement is associated with improvements in skin, nail growth, and hair quality.

Partially SupportedVitamin A from real liver is absorbed differently than from supplements like vitamin A palmitate, and it is difficult to consume too much vitamin A from liver.

Partially SupportedThe conversion rate of beta-carotene to active vitamin A precursors is 3 to 28 times slower than pre-formed vitamin A.

Partially SupportedAn animal-based diet of organs, meat, fruit, and honey is ideal across the human lifespan, including for prenatal and pregnancy stages.

Partially SupportedRetinoic acid may strengthen intestinal barrier function directly or by regulating gut microbiota, potentially offering protective effects against leaky gut and autoimmune disease.

Partially SupportedLiver consumption is essential for obtaining vitamin A, zinc, manganese, selenium, choline, and carnitine.

Partially SupportedVitamin A toxicity at 25,000 IU per day over years may be exacerbated by zinc deficiency or vitamin D insufficiency.

Partially SupportedPre-existing zinc deficiency can increase vitamin A toxicity because vitamin A synthesis is zinc-dependent.

Not SupportedVitamin A deficiency has severe clinical consequences, and the hypothesis that vitamin A is a toxin lacks strong evidence.

Partially SupportedDiets high in polyunsaturated fats and supplementation with water-soluble vitamin A forms can increase the likelihood of vitamin A toxicity at lower doses.

Partially SupportedA 1997 study found no relationship between birth defects and the use of vitamin A supplements, fortified breakfast cereals, organ meats, or liver.

Partially SupportedVitamin D sufficiency requires levels above 30 ng/mL, and toxicity from over 300,000 IU of vitamin A per day for months to years is needed.

Partially SupportedThe rate of total birth defects in the Rothman study was within or below the generally accepted background rate.

Partially SupportedVitamin D insufficiency can worsen vitamin A toxicity.

Partially SupportedThe liver contains enzymatic systems that process toxins for excretion, rather than storing them.

Partially SupportedThe Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamin A in pregnant women is 2600 IU.

Partially SupportedSymptoms of acute vitamin A toxicity can include nausea, vomiting, headache, hair loss, and hormonal imbalances.

Partially SupportedVitamin A deficiency can cause growth retardation, xerophthalmia, poor night vision, hyperkeratosis, impaired immune function, organ failure, decreased sex drive, delayed puberty, and kidney stones.

Partially SupportedAbnormal lab markers in vitamin A toxicity may include elevated serum vitamin A, GGT, alkaline phosphatase, triglycerides, prothrombin time, bilirubin, and serum calcium.

Partially SupportedSerum vitamin A levels within the reference range of 15-60 mcg/dL are generally considered normal.

Partially SupportedThe Rothman study's findings on vitamin A intake during pregnancy were not statistically significant for women consuming vitamin A from food alone and had methodological issues.

Partially SupportedThe RDAs for vitamin A are likely too low, and pregnant women should consume 5,000 to 10,000 IU of vitamin A per day, preferably from liver.

Partially SupportedIt is difficult to reach toxic levels of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K2 from whole animal foods or organs, unlike synthetic supplements.

Partially SupportedVitamin A found in food, particularly organ meats like liver, is essential for optimal human health, including development and reproduction.

Partially SupportedConsuming over 25,000 IU of vitamin A per day for years is required to approach toxicity levels.

Partially SupportedVitamin A is essential for pregnancy and for having a healthy baby.

Partially SupportedThe liver is where ketones are produced.

Partially SupportedThe body regulates vitamin D conversion from 25-hydroxy to 125-hydroxy vitamin D, preventing toxicity from sun exposure.

Partially SupportedDesiccated organ supplements, such as 'Heart of the Warrior' combined with beef organs, bone marrow, liver, or skin/hair/nails supplements, can provide adequate vitamin A and other nutrients during pregnancy, preconception, or for general health.

Partially SupportedLiver is the best source of vitamin A for promoting healthy adult development in children.