Nose-to-Tail: The Missing Piece?
For thousands of years, humans have traditionally eaten nose-to-tail, consuming every part of the animal to get a full spectrum of nutrients. The healthiest people on Earth, from indigenous cultures to longevity hotspots like the Blue Zones, have thrived by eating the whole animal—muscle meat, organ meats, skin, bones and fat.
As a nutritional advisor, it’s almost impossible to create a balanced, nutrient-dense diet that supports metabolic health while keeping values like PUFA (you don’t want too much of that type of fat!) within optimal ranges without including these vital animal parts.
By consuming the entire animal, you’re not just getting muscle meat; you're receiving essential vitamins and minerals in an optimal balance + fats and protein that support your body’s complex processes.
Amino Acid Composition
Our bodies rely on a variety of amino acids to build proteins, support muscle function, and repair tissues. By eating the entire animal, you ensure that you're getting a balanced mix of all the essential amino acids. For instance, organ meats like liver and heart are especially rich in certain amino acids like glycine, which is critical for collagen synthesis, joint health, and skin elasticity. Bones and cartilage, in the form of bone broth, provide a rich source of collagen and gelatin, which help keep our tissues strong and flexible.
Antioxidant Support
Nose-to-tail eating is also a fantastic way to increase antioxidant levels, such as glutathione, CoQ10, and vitamin A, all of which are crucial for protecting your cells from oxidative damage and supporting your energy production. Organ meats, particularly liver, are packed with CoQ10, which is essential for mitochondrial function—the part of your cells responsible for energy production. Glutathione, known as the body's master antioxidant, is found in abundance in organs like the liver and kidneys. It helps neutralize harmful free radicals and supports detoxification, reducing the burden on your body's metabolic systems.
Nutrient Density
The nutrient density of nose-to-tail eating is unmatched. Organs like liver, heart, and kidneys are loaded with essential vitamins and minerals that are often lacking in modern diets, such as B vitamins (especially B12), vitamin A, vitamin D, zinc, selenium and copper. These nutrients are crucial for hormone balance, brain function, immune health, and energy production. Bones and marrow are rich in calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, essential for bone health and overall mineral balance.
Support for Skin, Joints, and Bones
By eating collagen-rich foods like skin, bones, and cartilage, you support your body's connective tissues, improving skin elasticity and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Collagen also strengthens joints and promotes healing. Bone broth, made from simmering bones and cartilage, is an excellent source of gelatin and collagen, which support gut health, joint integrity, and even reduce inflammation.
Sustained Energy and Metabolism
All these nutrients work together to keep your metabolism running smoothly. When your cells have access to high-quality amino acids, antioxidants, and minerals, they can function optimally, turning food into energy more efficiently. This means improved energy levels, better fat metabolism, and a more balanced, resilient body.
Gut Health
Nose-to-tail eating also supports gut health. Collagen from connective tissues helps to seal the gut lining and protect it from leaky gut syndrome. Bone broth provides gelatin, which is soothing to the digestive tract and helps heal gut inflammation.
Incorporating nose-to-tail eating into your diet is an approach that’s been proven over centuries, and ensures you’re getting a wide array of nutrients that work together to support your metabolism.
