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To all of you regular liver eaters out there, see if you can help me out! I usually eat about 5-6 oz liver as my protein for dinner once a week, and I'm finally coming around to the taste. My problem is that during that night's sleep period, I find myself waking up repeatedly feeling restless and anxious. I've been tracking food intake and sleeping patterns, so I can tell that this is a fairly consistent event. Is there something with liver that's messing with my sleep? I am pretty baffled by this one. Thanks guys.

edit: I'm eating grass-fed beef liver.

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3 Answers

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Liver is rich in B vitamins which may be to energizing for you at that time of day. I know that when I eat liver I eat it for breakfast because I get such a boost.

Chris Materhjohn wrote an article about liver and its energizing factors:

Liver and cod liver oil are nutrient-packed super-food supplements that can help boost energy, libido, muscle growth, brain power, and general health. They are abundant sources of nutrients difficult to obtain elsewhere, such as vitamin A, arachidonic acid, DHA, and the B vitamins.

Liver contains an unidentified "anti-fatigue factor" that was found to greatly boost swimming endurance in rats. It is probably extremely rich in carnitine, lipoic acid, and other energy-related nutrients whose food sources have not been sufficiently researched.researched.

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Interesting, I should have figured that such a nutrient-dense food would make me feel rather energetic. One thing I do know is that my urine turns neon yellow from the B-vitamins. Heyoo! – themobiustrip Jul 12 2011 at 13:57
I also heard that high vitamin A intake can interfere with sleep if consumed near bedtime (I don't remember where I saw this, why this is supposed to be true or if it is true). – David Moss Jul 12 2011 at 13:58
Something else I wonder - liver is like a multivitamin - and probably the most bioavailable one at that. Perhaps it's not the quantity of vitamins, but the quality that is so energizing - this is pure speculation. – none Jul 12 2011 at 14:21
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What are you eatting along with the liver ?

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Typically, I'll steam some leafy greens and sautee some vegetables in coconut oil, such as onions, mushrooms, brussel sprouts, zucchini. Nothing out of the ordinary, this is what I have for most of my meals. – themobiustrip Jul 12 2011 at 13:52
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I always eat liver at breakfast time and make sure I eat it with fat to help metabolise all the nutrients in the liver.

Liver and onion is also a classic dish recommended to be eaten at the same sitting. If you do not want to eat fried onions, make up some onion soup (leek and onion is really great) to eat during the day, which compliments the stimulating effect of the liver.

Make sure your magnesium levels are well supplemented - perhaps try magnesium oil (you rub it on your body) to help you sleep when you eat liver.

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Thanks - I'll have to try liver for breakfast instead :) – themobiustrip Jul 12 2011 at 15:58

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