# Porcine Liver Powder (Sus scrofa domesticus)

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/porcine-liver-powder
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-25
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Protein
**Also Known As:** Sus scrofa domesticus liver powder, PLDP, Pig liver extract, Swine liver powder, Porcine hepatic powder, Domestic pig liver supplement

## Overview

Porcine liver powder is a concentrated organ meat supplement derived from domestic pig liver, rich in bioavailable heme iron, vitamin B12, retinol, and coenzyme Q10. Its primary mechanisms involve supporting mitochondrial [energy metabolism](/ingredients/condition/energy) and neurological function through dense micronutrient cofactors that activate enzymatic pathways in [cognitive](/ingredients/condition/cognitive) and metabolic tissues.

## Health Benefits

• Improved memory recall in adults over 40, particularly delayed recall and visual memory (moderate evidence from RCT, PMID 32841683)
• Enhanced verbal fluency and frontal lobe function in mild cognitive impairment patients (preliminary evidence from single-arm trial, PMID 38928586)
• Potential antidepressant effects suggested in cognitive impairment patients (preliminary evidence, PMID 38928586)
• Support for [cognitive function](/ingredients/condition/cognitive) in dementia-related symptoms (moderate evidence from multiple trials)
• Low immunogenicity profile when processed, potentially safer than native liver extracts (preliminary in-vitro evidence)

## Mechanism of Action

Porcine liver powder provides preformed retinol (vitamin A), which activates retinoic acid receptors (RAR-α, RAR-β) involved in synaptic plasticity and hippocampal neurogenesis. Its high concentration of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) serves as a cofactor for methionine synthase and methylmalonyl-CoA mutase, supporting myelin synthesis and one-carbon [metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management) critical for [neurotransmitter](/ingredients/condition/cognitive) production. Heme iron directly supports cytochrome c oxidase activity in the [mitochondrial](/ingredients/condition/energy) electron transport chain, enhancing ATP output in high-demand tissues including the brain and liver.

## Clinical Summary

A randomized controlled trial (PMID 32841683) demonstrated statistically significant improvements in delayed [memory recall](/ingredients/condition/cognitive) and visual memory in adults over 40, representing moderate-quality evidence with direct relevance to age-related cognitive decline. A single-arm pilot trial (PMID 38928586) showed enhanced verbal fluency and frontal lobe executive function in mild cognitive impairment patients, though the absence of a control group limits causal conclusions. Sample sizes across available studies remain modest, and most research uses composite organ meat formulations rather than isolated porcine liver powder, making dose-response relationships difficult to establish. Overall, evidence is promising but preliminary, with larger placebo-controlled RCTs needed to confirm cognitive endpoints.

## Nutritional Profile

Porcine liver powder is a concentrated whole-food protein source derived from dried Sus scrofa domesticus liver. Protein content is high, typically 60–70% by dry weight, providing all essential amino acids with particularly notable concentrations of lysine (~7–8g/100g protein), leucine (~8–9g/100g protein), and tryptophan (~1.2–1.5g/100g protein), the latter being a [serotonin](/ingredients/condition/mood)/neuroprotein precursor relevant to its suggested antidepressant effects. Fat content is approximately 5–15% dry weight, including arachidonic acid (omega-6) and small amounts of DHA/EPA. Carbohydrate content is low (~2–5% as glycogen residues). Key micronutrients include: Vitamin B12 (exceptionally high, ~200–300µg/100g dry weight — one of the richest natural sources), Vitamin A as retinol (~10,000–20,000 IU/100g dry weight, preformed — bioavailability near 100% vs. beta-carotene), Folate (~500–800µg/100g dry weight), Riboflavin/B2 (~3–5mg/100g), Niacin/B3 (~15–20mg/100g), Pantothenic acid/B5 (~6–10mg/100g), Iron as heme iron (~15–25mg/100g — heme iron bioavailability 15–35% vs. non-heme 2–20%), Zinc (~5–8mg/100g), Copper (~10–20mg/100g — dense source), Selenium (~50–80µg/100g). Bioactive compounds include coenzyme Q10 (~10–30mg/100g), carnitine, taurine, and phosphatidylcholine (~1–3g/100g dry weight), the last being directly relevant to the observed cognitive benefits via cholinergic pathway support and [acetylcholine](/ingredients/condition/cognitive) synthesis. Bioavailability of protein is high (DIAAS >1.0, digestibility >90%). The powder form concentrates nutrients approximately 4–5x relative to fresh liver weight. Heavy metal content (notably copper) warrants attention at high doses.

## Dosage & Preparation

Clinically studied dose: 4 capsules daily of PLDP (porcine liver decomposition product) for 4 weeks. Exact mg per capsule not specified in studies. No standardization for phosphatidylcholine content established. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Porcine liver powder is generally well tolerated at typical supplemental doses, but its very high preformed retinol content poses a risk of vitamin A toxicity (hypervitaminosis A) with chronic high-dose use, as retinol accumulates in hepatic tissue. Individuals taking anticoagulants such as warfarin should use caution, as vitamin K present in liver tissue may antagonize anticoagulant activity and alter INR values. Pregnant women should avoid high-dose porcine liver supplements due to established teratogenic risk from excess preformed vitamin A (intake above 3,000 mcg RAE/day). Those with hemochromatosis or hereditary iron overload disorders should avoid this supplement due to its substantial heme iron content, which is absorbed at rates of 15–35% regardless of iron status.

## Scientific Research

Clinical evidence includes a 2024 single-arm trial (PMID 38928586) showing significant improvements in HDS-R scores for mild [cognitive](/ingredients/condition/cognitive) impairment patients, and a 2020 RCT (PMID 32841683) demonstrating enhanced visual memory and delayed recall in adults over 40. Three additional prior trials confirmed visual memory enhancement, though no meta-analyses have been conducted.

## Historical & Cultural Context

No historical or traditional medicine use was identified in the research sources. Porcine liver powder appears to be a modern nutraceutical application developed specifically for [cognitive](/ingredients/condition/cognitive) support.

## Synergistic Combinations

Phosphatidylcholine, Omega-3 fatty acids, B-complex vitamins, Ginkgo biloba, Lion's mane mushroom

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How much porcine liver powder should I take per day?

Most commercial porcine liver powder supplements are dosed between 3,000–6,000 mg (3–6 grams) per day, often split across two servings. This range is designed to deliver meaningful amounts of heme iron, B12, and retinol without exceeding the tolerable upper intake level for preformed vitamin A (3,000 mcg RAE/day for adults). No standardized clinical dosing protocol has been established specifically for porcine liver powder in cognitive applications.

### Is porcine liver powder the same as desiccated liver?

Porcine liver powder and desiccated liver are closely related but not identical — desiccated liver historically refers to beef (bovine) liver that has been defatted and dried, while porcine liver powder is derived specifically from Sus scrofa domesticus (domestic pig). Both products concentrate similar micronutrients including heme iron, B12, and retinol, but their fatty acid profiles and minor nutrient ratios differ due to species variation. Porcine liver tends to have a slightly higher coenzyme Q10 content relative to bovine liver on a per-gram basis.

### Can porcine liver powder improve memory in older adults?

One RCT (PMID 32841683) found significant improvements in delayed recall and visual memory in adults over 40 using a liver-based supplement, suggesting a plausible benefit for age-related memory decline. The proposed mechanism involves B12-dependent homocysteine reduction (lowering neurotoxic homocysteine via methionine synthase) and retinol's activation of hippocampal RAR-β receptors linked to long-term potentiation. However, this represents moderate evidence from a single trial, and results should not be generalized until replicated in larger independent studies.

### Does porcine liver powder contain vitamin B12?

Yes, porcine liver is one of the most concentrated natural sources of vitamin B12 (cobalamin), with fresh pig liver containing approximately 26–39 mcg per 100 grams — far exceeding the adult RDA of 2.4 mcg/day. After the drying and powdering process, B12 content is further concentrated per gram relative to fresh weight, depending on processing temperature (excessive heat above 120°C can degrade cobalamin). This makes porcine liver powder a particularly relevant supplement for vegans reintroducing animal-based micronutrients or individuals with subclinical B12 insufficiency.

### Is porcine liver powder safe during pregnancy?

Porcine liver powder is generally not recommended during pregnancy due to its high preformed retinol (vitamin A) content, which is teratogenic at intakes exceeding 3,000 mcg RAE/day and has been associated with craniofacial, cardiac, and central nervous system malformations in the developing fetus. Even a single serving of some porcine liver powder products may approach or exceed this threshold when combined with dietary retinol intake from other sources. Pregnant individuals should consult their obstetrician and avoid liver-based supplements unless specifically advised and with careful monitoring of total retinol load.

### What is the clinical evidence quality for porcine liver powder's effects on cognition?

Porcine liver powder has moderate evidence from a randomized controlled trial showing improvements in memory recall for adults over 40, particularly in delayed recall and visual memory tasks. Additional preliminary evidence from a single-arm trial suggests potential benefits for verbal fluency and frontal lobe function in patients with mild cognitive impairment, though this lower-quality evidence requires confirmation in larger, well-controlled studies before definitive claims can be made.

### Who is most likely to benefit from porcine liver powder supplementation?

Adults over 40 experiencing age-related memory decline appear to be the primary population showing documented benefits, particularly for delayed recall and visual memory. Individuals with mild cognitive impairment may also benefit based on preliminary evidence, though those with severe cognitive disorders or dementia would benefit from consulting healthcare providers before supplementation.

### Does porcine liver powder have any mood or mental health effects?

Preliminary evidence suggests potential antidepressant effects in patients with cognitive impairment, though this research comes from a single-arm trial and requires further investigation in controlled studies. The mechanism may relate to liver's nutrient density, including B vitamins and amino acids that support neurotransmitter synthesis, but robust clinical evidence for mood improvement in otherwise healthy individuals is currently limited.

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*Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com*
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