The postpartum period is one of the most nutrient-demanding seasons of a woman's life. Pregnancy draws on iron, folate, B12, and choline reserves, and birth, breastfeeding, and the physical demands of early motherhood continue that draw for weeks and months afterward.
Across cultures and centuries, traditional postpartum practices have responded to this nutritional reality in consistent ways: with nutrient-dense, slow-cooked, organ-rich foods. This article explores that tradition, explains what chicken liver capsules provide from a nutritional standpoint, and makes the case for why the capsule format is a practical option for women navigating the early weeks and months of new motherhood.
Postpartum Nutrition Traditions Across Cultures
Before the modern supplement industry, postpartum nourishment was a community practice built around whole, nutrient-dense foods, with organ meats and slow-cooked broths appearing consistently across cultures.
In Chinese tradition, zuo yue zi ('sitting the month') prescribes a period of rest and specific nourishing foods following birth. Liver, slow-cooked broths, and organ meats feature prominently, documented in traditional texts including the Compendium of Materia Medica (Li Shizhen, 1578). In Latin American tradition, la cuarentena involves a 40-day period of rest and restorative eating, with organ-rich foods included for recovery (Villanueva C., Journal of Midwifery, 2011). These traditions converged on the same nutritional logic long before the science was available to explain it: organ meats, and liver in particular, are among the most concentrated whole-food sources of the nutrients drawn down by pregnancy and birth.
What Is Actually in Chicken Liver: The Nutritional Profile
Chicken liver is one of the most nutrient-dense whole foods available. It provides a concentrated profile of several nutrients that are relevant in the context of a whole-food diet during the postpartum period.
|
Nutrient |
Chicken Liver (BBBB) |
Beef Liver |
Synthetic Supplement |
|
Iron (heme) |
High, highly bioavailable |
Very high |
Non-heme, lower bioavailability |
|
Vitamin B12 |
Very high |
Very high |
Synthetic, variable |
|
Folate |
High (natural food folate) |
High (natural food folate) |
Synthetic folic acid |
|
Vitamin A |
Lower than beef liver |
Very high (monitor intake) |
Varies by product |
|
Choline |
High |
Very high |
Varies |
|
Processing |
Vacuum-dried, minimal |
Varies |
Multi-step synthesis |
|
Whole-food status |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Iron: Heme Form
Chicken liver is a concentrated source of heme iron, the form of iron found in animal foods. Heme iron is significantly more bioavailable than the non-heme iron found in plant foods, absorbed at roughly two to three times the rate, and its absorption is not inhibited by the phytates or other compounds that reduce plant-iron uptake (Abbaspour N., Hurrell R., Kelishadi R., Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 2014).
Iron contributes to normal red blood cell formation and normal oxygen transport in the body, contributing to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue as part of normal physiological function (EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies, EFSA Journal, 2015).
Compliance note: Iron is described as contributing to normal red blood cell formation and normal energy metabolism. These are approved food function descriptions. No therapeutic claims are made.
Vitamin B12
Chicken liver is a rich whole-food source of vitamin B12. B12 contributes to normal red blood cell formation, normal neurological function, and normal energy-yielding metabolism. It is found almost exclusively in animal-derived foods, making liver one of the most concentrated whole-food sources available (O'Leary F., Samman S., Nutrients, 2010).
Folate
Chicken liver is a whole-food source of naturally occurring folate (vitamin B9). Folate contributes to normal red blood cell formation and to normal maternal tissue growth during pregnancy. Naturally occurring food folate is distinct from synthetic folic acid, though both contribute to normal folate status (Food Standards Australia New Zealand, Australian Food Composition Database).
Vitamin A: why chicken liver is a gentler option
Chicken liver contains naturally lower amounts of vitamin A (retinol) than beef liver. This distinction is meaningful for postpartum and breastfeeding women, for whom very high vitamin A intake requires monitoring. The naturally lower vitamin A content of chicken liver makes it a gentler option for long-term use and for women who may also be taking other supplements containing vitamin A (Clagett-Dame M., Knutson D., Nutrients, 2011).
Compliance note: Vitamin A content is described factually as lower than beef liver. Women taking other supplements containing vitamin A should consult a healthcare practitioner before use.
Choline
Choline is an essential nutrient found in significant amounts in liver. It contributes to normal lipid metabolism and normal liver function. Choline requirements increase during pregnancy and lactation (Zeisel SH., da Costa KA., Nutrition Reviews, 2009).
Why the Capsule Format Matters for New Mums
Fresh chicken liver is an exceptional whole food. It is also something most people in the early weeks of postpartum have no realistic capacity to source, prepare, and eat regularly. The realities of early motherhood include no time, limited appetite, heightened food aversions, and the challenge that many new mothers find the taste and smell of liver difficult to manage.
The capsule format addresses this directly. Byron Bay Bone Broth Organic Chicken Liver Capsules are made from certified organic, pasture-raised chicken liver, processed using Nutradry's gentle vacuum-drying technology. This is a low-heat process that retains the nutrient integrity of the fresh liver without the need for preparation or tolerating the taste. Two capsules with water. That is the entire preparation requirement.
Sourcing and Production: How the Capsules Are Made
Byron Bay Bone Broth Organic Chicken Liver Capsules begin at Inglewood Organic Farm, a certified organic, pasture-raised chicken operation whose animals are raised without hormones, antibiotics, or growth promotants. The livers come from the same animals used in our chicken bone broth, making the capsules a zero-waste extension of the broth production process.
The livers are processed using vacuum-drying technology at low temperatures, preserving the nutrient integrity of the fresh liver more effectively than freeze-drying or heat-drying alternatives. Each 500mg capsule contains one ingredient: certified organic, vacuum-dried chicken liver. No fillers, no synthetic vitamins, no binders.
About the Organic Chicken Liver Capsules
Byron Bay Bone Broth Organic Chicken Liver Capsules are made from a single ingredient: certified organic, pasture-raised chicken liver from Inglewood Organic Farm, vacuum-dried at low temperature to retain nutrient integrity. No fillers, no binders, no added synthetic vitamins.
Practical Use: Dosage and How to Take Them
A restoration dose of three to four capsules twice daily is suggested for short-term nutrient support over four to 12 weeks. A maintenance dose of two to three capsules once or twice daily is appropriate for ongoing support as part of a balanced whole-food diet, and is suitable for long-term use including during pregnancy and breastfeeding given the naturally lower vitamin A content of chicken liver.
Best taken with food, particularly foods containing healthy fats, to support absorption. Avoid taking within one hour of tea or coffee, as tannins can inhibit mineral absorption including iron. If you are taking other supplements containing vitamin A, consult a healthcare practitioner before use.
Pair with bone broth for broader whole-food nourishment
Byron Bay Bone Broth Organic Chicken Bone Broth and Organic Beef Bone Broth provide gelatin, amino acids, and minerals from certified organic Australian bones. The Chicken Glow Stack and Beef Glow Stack bundles combine the broths with the Organic Chicken Liver Capsules for a broader whole-food approach in one order.
Shop Organic Chicken Liver Capsules
Shop the Chicken Glow Stack (capsules and chicken broth)
Shop the Beef Glow Stack (capsules and beef broth)
Frequently Asked Questions
Are chicken liver capsules safe to take while breastfeeding?
Byron Bay Bone Broth Organic Chicken Liver Capsules are made from certified organic chicken liver, which contains naturally lower levels of vitamin A (retinol) than beef liver. This makes them a gentler option for use during breastfeeding and pregnancy. If you are taking other supplements containing vitamin A, consult a healthcare practitioner to ensure your combined intake is appropriate.
How many capsules should I take postpartum?
A restoration dose of three to four capsules twice daily is suggested for short-term support over four to 12 weeks. A maintenance dose of two to three capsules once or twice daily is appropriate for ongoing use. Take with food and at least one hour away from tea or coffee.
Why chicken liver rather than beef liver for postpartum?
Chicken liver provides significant iron per gram and contains naturally lower amounts of vitamin A and copper than beef liver. This makes it a gentler, safer option for long-term use and for women during pregnancy and breastfeeding who need to monitor vitamin A intake. It is also a practical option for those avoiding mammalian meat sources.
Do the capsules contain only liver?
Yes. Byron Bay Bone Broth Organic Chicken Liver Capsules contain one ingredient: certified organic, vacuum-dried chicken liver from Inglewood Organic Farm. No fillers, no binders, no added synthetic vitamins.
Where can I buy Byron Bay Bone Broth Organic Chicken Liver Capsules?
Byron Bay Bone Broth Organic Chicken Liver Capsules are available to purchase online at byronbaybonebroth.com, with delivery across Australia. They are also available as part of the Chicken Glow Stack and Beef Glow Stack bundles, which combine the capsules with Organic Chicken or Beef Bone Broth.
References
• Abbaspour N, Hurrell R, Kelishadi R. Review on iron and its importance for human health. Journal of Research in Medical Sciences. 2014;19(2):164 to 174.
• Clagett-Dame M, Knutson D. Vitamin A in reproduction and development. Nutrients. 2011;3(4):385 to 428.
• EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies. Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for iron. EFSA Journal. 2015;13(10):4254.
• Food Standards Australia New Zealand. Australian Food Composition Database. foodstandards.gov.au. Accessed: May 2026.
• Li Shizhen. Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu). 1578.
• O'Leary F, Samman S. Vitamin B12 in health and disease. Nutrients. 2010;2(3):299 to 316.
• Villanueva C. Postpartum practices and food beliefs in the Latin American community. Journal of Midwifery. 2011;15(2):88 to 97.
• Zeisel SH, da Costa KA. Choline: an essential nutrient for public health. Nutrition Reviews. 2009;67(11):615 to 623.
