Today I have the opportunity to share a review of Ancestral Supplements’ line of grass-fed beef organ capsules. This review is written honestly and based purely on my own experience and opinion.
2022 UPDATE: There are suspected changes to the formulas and/or sourcing since this review was originally published, and we no longer support this company.
We continue to promote organ meats but NO LONGER RECOMMEND THIS BRAND.
As an alternative, I can suggest Grassland Nutrition.
In addition to many AS customers writing to us about adverse reactions after taking these products, we have fallen away from company leadership.
We don’t align with current 2022 branding decisions or the “Liver King” personality. For specific examples, please see The Liver King Lie.
Table of Contents (click to view)
What are ‘Ancestral Supplements’?
Ancestral Supplements is a family-owned and operated company dedicated to “putting back in, what the modern world has left out” as a means “to return people back to strength, health, and happiness.” They specialize in grass-fed beef organ supplements, freeze-dried and encapsulated in an easy to use pill form.
Weston A. Price, a dentist of the early 1900s, studied dietary habits of traditional peoples around the world and noted that all groups consider animal-based foods as nutritional staples and sacred fertility foods. Organs, in particular, were commonplace. With so many nutritional benefits of organ meats, they were often prized as some of the choice parts.
When I first came across Ancestral Supplements, I thought “Finally! Someone else who is as passionate about spreading the word about organ meats and nose-to-tail eating as I am!”
Even so, after working in the organic, raw vegan import/export industry of Peruvian “superfoods”, I remain skeptical of “too good to be true” vitamin claims. It was important to me to verify that the products were really as good as they sounded.
It’s no secret that the modern world is at odds with our health. Stress, artificial light exposure, and cheaply made, low-quality foods deliver too many of us to early graves. Organ meat has been part of my family’s diet for almost a decade and I know first hand the nutritional power they have. These foods have the potential to be potent remedies.
Why would you be interested in something like this?
Awareness of nose-to-tail eating has grown by leaps and bounds in the last few years but only a small percentage of people partake in the delicious, affordable, and above all, nutritious “odd bits” of an animal.
If you are interested in the benefits but haven’t learned how to cook organ meat recipes or can’t quite wrap your head around making your own Beef Heart Meatballs, Liver Pate, or even Beef Bone Broth, supplementing with targeted organs may help.
If you’re on board with organ meats and fluent in the preparation of common choices like liver, heart, and marrow but find other parts like the pancreas, thyroid, and spleen out of your comfort zone or just too unknown to prepare, Ancestral Supplements may appeal to you as well.
These supplements are easy to add into a daily routine (literally just take a dose in the morning) and ideal if you
- Can’t bring yourself to cook organ meats in your kitchen (yet)
- Travel often and want to stay on top of nutrient intake
- Are pre-conception, pregnant, or breastfeeding
- Have children
- Are recovering from vegan and vegetarian nutrient deficiencies
- Don’t eat nutrient-dense animal products regularly and want to fill in any nutritional deficiencies you may have
Ancestral Supplements Review
2022 UPDATE: There are suspected changes to the formulas and/or sourcing since this review was originally published, and we no longer support this company.
We continue to promote organ meats but NO LONGER RECOMMEND THIS BRAND.
As an alternative, I suggest Grassland Nutrition, but they only offer a single liver supplement.
Quality of ingredients
All ingredients are organic, whole foods-based, and nutrient-dense. Meat is selected from New-Zealand grass-fed, grass-finished, pasture-raised cattle. The beef is hormone, pesticide, and GMO-free.
A variety of supplement choices are offered. Following the “like cures like” philosophy, Ancestral Supplements allows you to select a targeted nutritional profile to best suit your needs.
Just about every part you can think of is available:
- Grass-fed Beed Organs
- Grass-fed Beef Liver
- Grass-fed Beef Heart
- Grass-fed Beef Thyroid
- Grass-fed Beef Pancreas
- Grass-fed Beef Spleen
- Grass-fed Beef Bone Marrow
- Grass-fed Beef Thymus
- AND MORE!
Since Ancestral Supplements is an American company, I would like to see them sourcing from US-based beef producers and supporting more local stock. Unfortunately, this is a bigger issue within the US cattle industry.
In a podcast, we did with Judith McGeary of the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance (FARFA), I learned that USA legal parameters and current tax structure favor imported meat and skew the system to make foreign production more economically viable. Independent American family ranchers have to work twice as hard to get their products to market.
Effectiveness
It’s impossible to guarantee fast-acting, noticeable results for everyone. There isn’t a single “magic pill” in the world that can do that. However, the power of organ meats should not be underrated. People may feel direct results in energy, sleep, mood, and recovery after increasing the amount of nose-to-tail ingredients in their diet.
Because these supplements are essentially just food, they are easily digested and bioavailable. This means your body can readily identify the nutrients and knows how to handle them.
Some of our coaching clients comment on how quickly they feel a benefit after adding organs into their diet. Liver tends to be the quickest acting, which makes sense since, ounce for ounce, it is the most nutrient-dense food in the world!
Not everyone experiences noticeable changes right away. If you have been on a nutrient-deficient diet (like vegetarian, vegan, or in some cases SAD) for any period of time or are pregnant, you may react more overtly to an increase of nutrients than someone who has been eating paleo or keto since your needs are higher.
Quality of manufacturing
Looking at the way Ancestral Supplements carefully sources their materials, promotes grass-fed, grass-finished animals, and freeze-dries ingredients in small batches to intentionally preserve their nutritional quality, there is no question they care about what they are bringing to the market and attending to every detail.
All formulas available from Ancestral Supplements are contained in pure gelatin capsules and contain ZERO fillers, stabilizers, and flow agents.
My one critique here is that there is nothing specifically ‘eco’ about the packaging or company mission. I’ve seen some genius packaging with PermaEarth handmade soaps and body care. Mountain Rose Herbs goes above and beyond in their commitment to minimizing waste and promoting environmental stewardship within their business practices.
I think that as Ancestral Supplements grow and are able to invest in alternatives they would be all ears to the options.
2022 UPDATE: We’ve watched them grow. Instead of continuing to improve their product, their actions have gone in the opposite direction. Marketing is based on lies, retail prices increase while quality may have decreased, and too many customers write to us about adverse reactions.
To be fair, I’m not sure what options are available for food grade storage of vitamins. A critique of the supplement industry as a whole is that it seems across the board, products are delivered in one-use plastic bottles, bags, and the like.
Once open, the actual product is loaded with value. It’s just the pesky packaging…
Convenience
The presentation of concentrated nutrients in an easy to use, odorless, tasteless pill is super convenient. Increasing daily nutrient intake is as easy as popping a pill.
Like all supplements, the organ casuals are portable and easy to administer, making them ideal for travel and giving to children.
Our two children look forward to getting their daily Beef Organ Blend. They chew them up and like playing with the gelatin capsule in their mouths.
Price
The price per bottle runs $36 – $58 with is on the higher end for a vitamin. When you look at the price for the first time, it’s not an easy $6.99 decision. It takes a commitment to buy. You have to be willing to try something new (eating beef organs) and invest in your health.
Each bottle contains 180 capsules. A dose is between 1-6 pills, so one bottle can last between 1 and 3 months, depending on use.
Once quality, clean manufacturing process, and convenience are considered, the price becomes more reasonable. Add in the additional discount and the price is not so bad.
When comparing the purchase of a $40 bottle of beef liver capsules and spending the same amount on the actual liver, it is always better to buy the source ingredient. If you have access to beef liver, marrow bones, beef heart, etc, food should always be prioritized over pills. Read my Buyer’s Guide to Liver for more.
How many of us can easily get these lesser-known parts? And if we can, how many of us eat a robust nose-to-tail diet all year round?
In some cases, supplementation may prove beneficial.
Take Away Points and Category Ratings
2022 UPDATE: There are suspected changes to the formulas and/or sourcing since this review was originally published, and we no longer support this company.
We continue to promote organ meats but NO LONGER RECOMMEND THIS BRAND.
As an alternative, I suggest Grassland Nutrition.
Quality of ingredients 4.5/5
- Organic, whole foods-based, and nutrient-dense
- Hormone, pesticide, and GMO-free
- Grass-fed and grass-finished
- New Zealand sourced, not USA
Effectiveness 5/5
- Easily digested and bioavailable nutrition
- 3rd party testing all products to ensure purity and product specification
Quality of manufacturing 4.5/5
- Ingredients are freeze-dried to preserve nutritional quality
- Made in small batches
- ZERO fillers, stabilizers, and flow agents
- Can’t avoid another plastic bottle
Convenience 5/5
- Easy to use, odorless, tasteless capsule form
- Great for travel and children
Price 4/5
- The price per bottle runs $36 – $56 for 180 capsules
- Paying for quality and convenience
Boost Daily Nutrient Intake
2022 UPDATE: There are suspected changes to the formulas and/or sourcing since this review was originally published, and we no longer support this company.
We continue to promote organ meats but NO LONGER RECOMMEND THIS BRAND.
Those who are interested in top-quality nutrition should consider eating organ meats. However, it’s best to consume them in their natural, whole, and unprocessed FOOD form over supplements.
If you think you can benefit from Ancestral Supplements, order here.
I recommend beginning with the Beef Organs blend. The beef liver pills would be my second choice for new users who don’t already eat liver in their diet.
Learn how to cook organ meats (and not hate them!)
The A-Z Guide on Liver Pate for Keto & Carnivore Diets is sure to be helpful as you go down this path. Take notes!
Try some of these easy recipes for organ meat beginners.
- Beef Bone Broth in 5 Easy Steps
- Classic Liver Pate
- Beef Heart Meatballs
- Organ Meat Pie
- Pemmican with Heart and Liver
did you ask ancestral supplements to see if any changes were made? seems to me that would make sense instead of just saying “suspected changes”
It is a personal view that they lack transparency in their business practices. Anyone is free to come to a different conclusion, this is ours.
I haven’t been on your site until today. I can share that after over a year of hitting brick walls and my “core” products not working effectively anymore that my problem was the “congratulations” on being so “committed” when I shared I had every product in the line-up.
I don’t know of any supplement or vitamin company that encourages its customers to consume each one of their products every single day. After the decades I have been alive I have just never seen it.
Thanks for your input and insight.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us also GT.
Thanks for the recommendation. Also check out OneEarthHealth.com. I find their products are similar but they have more than one liver product to offer and are a little less expensive than AncestralSupplements.