When it comes to nutrition, our hunter-gatherer ancestors did more than a few things right. Their diets centred on plants and animals, avoiding all processed foods. They refused to waste food, eating nose-to-tail on all animals. And last (but certainly not least), they never shied away from eating organ meats, gaining the beneficial nutrients found in liver, heart and offal.
Organ meats offer a number of valuable health benefits. They're packed with B vitamins, are one of the few animal-based sources of vitamin A and C, have small traces of calcium and contain a host of beneficial minerals.
Below, we discuss the nutrition facts and various health benefits of an organ that often gets ignored: lamb heart. You’ll learn how lamb heart nutrition benefits your gut, brain and nervous system.
Lamb Heart Nutrition: 8 Health Benefits
A 100-gram serving of braised lamb heart contains just 185 calories, with 2 grams of carbs and 25 grams of protein [1]. It’s packed with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Below we share eight health benefits you get from lamb heart nutrition.
1. A Great Source of Vitamin B12
Braised lamb heart contains 11.2 micrograms of vitamin B12 — or 187% of the recommended daily value [1]. Vitamin B12 is essential to the health of your nervous system and red blood cells [2]. In addition, studies show that it can help prevent a number of chronic diseases, including heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and certain types of cancer [3].
Vitamin B12 deficiency is very common and linked to anaemia, dementia and memory loss, weakness and various mental health disorders, such as depression. For optimal levels, you should supplement with a vitamin B complex or get it through food sources like lamb heart and other organ meats.
2. Contains Beneficial Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Lamb heart contains 320 milligrams of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to boost heart health, reducing your risk of heart attack and stroke [4]. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to lower blood pressure levels and raise HDL cholesterol levels [5][6].
3. An Excellent Source of Niacin
Lamb heart contains 4.4 milligrams of niacin (vitamin B3). Like omega-3 fatty acids, niacin has been shown to increase HDL cholesterol while lowering levels of LDL cholesterol, in the bloodstream [7]. In addition, new research shows that supplementing with vitamin B3 may help decrease the risk of developing Type 1 diabetes [8].
Niacin can benefit your mind as well as your body. Research shows that vitamin B3 supplements can help decrease your risk of developing Alzheimer's [9]. In addition, some studies show that it can help reduce damage from brain injuries [10].
4. Contains Essential Amino Acids
Lamb heart contains various amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Of these, it contains all nine essential amino acids — tryptophan, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine and valine — making it a complete protein [1].
Essential amino acids are responsible for a number of health benefits, including muscle growth and development, boosting immune function and regulating your metabolism [11].
5. A Great Source of Riboflavin
Lamb hearts contain 1.2 milligrams of riboflavin (vitamin B2), or 70% of your daily value. Riboflavin is responsible for providing energy, metabolising fats and regulating cell function and development [12]. In addition, vitamin B2 has a number of antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer benefits [13].
6. Filled With Beneficial Minerals
Lamb heart is filled with a number of minerals, including selenium, phosphorus and magnesium [1]. These minerals offer various health benefits, supporting your bones, hormones and even your sleep cycle.
Phosphorus is an essential mineral that helps lead to strong bones and teeth [14]. Selenium acts as an antioxidant in the body and helps regulate your thyroid [15]. Magnesium can help prevent a number of chronic diseases and ailments, including osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease and even migraines [16]. In addition, magnesium can improve your sleep cycle, allowing you to sleep longer and rest more soundly [17].
7. Contains Thiamin
Lamb heart contains 0.2 milligrams of thiamin, or 11% of your recommended daily dosage. Also known as vitamin B1, thiamin helps negate tiredness and fatigue, transforming carbohydrates into usable energy for your brain and nervous system [18]. In addition, thiamin helps your muscles contract and send nerve signals, allowing you to power through workouts, go on walks and complete everyday tasks.
8. A Good Source of Pantothenic Acid
Lamb heart contains 1.4 milligrams of pantothenic acid — equivalent to 14% of its recommended daily value. Pantothenic acid, or vitamin B5, is one of the most important vitamins in the body. It helps create red blood cells, transform food into energy, reduce inflammation and prevent heart disease [19].
How To Get More Lamb Heart Nutrition in Your Diet
While we always favor nutrition advice that questions the status quo, even conventional nutritionists can’t deny the health benefits of lamb heart. It is filled with a number of B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids and beneficial minerals, including phosphorus, magnesium and selenium.
There are just two problems: Lamb hearts can be difficult to come by, and not every person is a fan of the taste of organ meats. Chances are you don't see lamb heart for sale in the supermarket. If you're fortunate enough to come across it, you may struggle in the kitchen finding recipes to enjoy.
Luckily, you can find lamb heart in supplement form, which makes consuming it far easier. But before you purchase any product, it's important to know what to look for. Search for supplements made from high-quality animals that have been grass-fed and pasture-raised, if at all possible. Our Liver & Heart Capsules contain a host of beneficial vitamins, minerals and fatty acids, and are incredibly easy to consume and digest, combining the benefits you'd get from heart, as well as the nutritional powerhouse, liver!
All information provided on our website and within our articles is simply information, opinion, anecdotal thoughts and experiences to provide you with the tools to thrive.
It is not intended to treat or diagnose symptoms and is definitely not intended to be misconstrued for medical advice. We always advise you seek the advice of a trained professional when implementing any changes to your lifestyle and dietary habits.
We do however recommend seeking the services of a trained professional who questions the conventional wisdom to enable you to become the best version of yourself.
REFERENCES
[1] https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/172528/nutrients
[2] https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-Consumer/
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2294088/
[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18541598/
[5] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19487105/
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3875260/
[7] https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-niacin/art-20364984
[9] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23312803/
[10] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14651806/
[11] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19301095/
[12] https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Riboflavin-HealthProfessional/
[13] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32023913
[14] https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Phosphorus-HealthProfessional/
[15] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10963212/
[16] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5926493/
[17] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6910806
[18] https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002401.htm
[19] https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/pantothenic-acid-vitamin-b5/
