Quck answer
Eating polar bear liver can be fatal due to its extremely high levels of vitamin A, which can cause hypervitaminosis A. The recommended daily intake of vitamin A for adults is 900 micrograms, while a single polar bear liver can contain up to 14,000 micrograms. Symptoms of hypervitaminosis A include nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, and even death. Inuit people have developed a traditional process of preparing polar bear liver called “maktak” that involves removing the liver’s outer layers, which contain the highest concentration of vitamin A. However, it is still not recommended to eat polar bear liver without proper preparation and caution.
Wild Animals
While a polar bear could easily kill you, consuming even a small amount of its liver could send you to the hospital. Galaxiid/Getty Images
Liver is a popular ingredient in many cuisines. Fried chicken liver is a favorite in the American South, while in Germany, you can indulge in traditional liverwurst. Raw fish liver sashimi is a delicacy in Japan. However, not all animals offer the best ingredients for culinary purposes. If you ever get the opportunity to try polar bear liver, think twice, as it could be the last meal you ever eat.
The native people of the Arctic have always avoided eating the livers of various Arctic creatures, including polar bears. Western explorers learned this the hard way. As early as 1596, explorers returned to Europe with reports of severe illnesses resulting from consuming polar bear liver [source: Rodahl and Moore].
The severity of the illness depended on the amount of liver consumed, but symptoms commonly included drowsiness, irritability, blurred vision, bone pain, vomiting, severe headache, and peeling skin. In some cases, patients lost skin all over their bodies, ending in liver damage, coma, and even death.
The explorers suffered from acute hypervitaminosis A, a condition resulting from the overconsumption of vitamin A over a short period of time. The polar bear’s liver, like those of Arctic seals and huskies, contains very high levels of retinol, the form of vitamin A found in animals.
On the next page, we’ll learn more about why polar bears have such high levels of vitamin A in their livers and how this tolerance is crucial to their survival.
Why the liver?
While some vitamins dissolve in water, vitamin A dissolves only in fat. This means that unlike other vitamins, excess vitamin A does not leave the body in urine. Instead, it accumulates in the liver, the body’s filtration organ, where it can reach toxic levels. Chronic hypervitaminosis A results from this accumulation over time.
Vitamin A in Polar Bear Liver
Seals are the primary food source for polar bears, and the reason for their high levels of vitamin A. Delta Images/Getty Images
Vitamin A is a vital building block for many animals. Humans only need it in small quantities, but it plays a crucial role in eyesight, fetal development, reproduction, growth, immune response, and cellular tissue formation. We usually get it from foods such as eggs, milk, spinach, broccoli, and various meats. Vitamin A tolerance varies depending on age, gender, and physical condition. Your personal tolerable upper limit is determined by how efficient your enzyme system is and how efficient your liver is at storing vitamin A. While the tolerable upper limit for healthy adults is 10,000 IU, signs of toxicity typically appear when consuming 25,000 to 33,000 IU [source: Higdon].
If you don’t have enough vitamin A, you may experience symptoms similar to those of hypervitaminosis A, including dry skin, diarrhea, blindness, growth retardation, and even death. Polar bears are just as affected by excess or deficiency of vitamin A as humans, but they have a much higher tolerance for it. A polar bear’s liver contains between 24,000 and 35,000 IU of vitamin A per gram, compared to a healthy human liver’s 575 IU per gram. This is because polar bears feed almost exclusively on bearded and ringed seals, which store high levels of vitamin A in their livers and blubber. The seals need vitamin A to nourish their young in a harsh environment, and the polar bears evolved to tolerate it so they can eat the seals. One polar bear liver can contain as much vitamin A as 79 to 115 chicken eggs, which is almost twice the tolerable upper limits of human vitamin A consumption.
The following is a list of sources with links to articles and documents related to the topic of Vitamin A and its effects, as well as guidelines for the care of animals in captivity. The sources include the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Cornell University, the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, and the International Federation of Competitive Eating. Also included are articles from scientific journals and information from Medline Plus and Britannica Online Encyclopedia. These sources provide a comprehensive overview of the topic and can be useful for those looking to learn more about Vitamin A and its effects on health and animal care.
FAQ
1. Is it safe to eat polar bear liver?
It is not safe to eat polar bear liver because it contains a high amount of vitamin A, which can be toxic to humans. Ingesting a small amount of polar bear liver can lead to hypervitaminosis A, which can cause dizziness, nausea, and even death.
2. Why does polar bear liver contain high levels of vitamin A?
Polar bears consume large amounts of vitamin A through their diet of seals, which are high in the vitamin. The polar bear’s liver stores the vitamin A, making it a concentrated source of the nutrient.
3. What is hypervitaminosis A?
Hypervitaminosis A is a condition caused by consuming too much vitamin A. Symptoms can include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and even death in severe cases.
4. How much polar bear liver is safe to eat?
There is no safe amount of polar bear liver to consume due to its high levels of vitamin A. It is recommended to avoid eating polar bear liver altogether.
5. Are there any health benefits to eating polar bear liver?
While polar bear liver contains high levels of vitamin A, which is important for vision and immune function, the risks of consuming the liver far outweigh any potential benefits.
6. What should I do if I accidentally ingest polar bear liver?
If you accidentally ingest polar bear liver, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms of hypervitaminosis A can be treated, but it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible.
7. Can other animal livers be toxic to humans?
Yes, other animal livers can also be toxic to humans if consumed in large amounts. Some examples include the liver of the walrus, seal, and husky.
8. Can cooking or freezing polar bear liver make it safe to eat?
No, cooking or freezing polar bear liver does not make it safe to eat. The vitamin A content remains high even after cooking or freezing.
9. How do Inuit people traditionally consume polar bear liver?
Inuit people traditionally consume small amounts of polar bear liver along with other parts of the animal, such as the meat and fat. However, modern Inuit health officials advise against consuming polar bear liver due to the risks associated with hypervitaminosis A.
10. Are there any alternatives to consuming polar bear liver?
Yes, there are many other sources of vitamin A that are safe to consume, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens.
11. Why do people risk eating polar bear liver?
Some people may consume polar bear liver due to cultural traditions or as a survival food in extreme situations. However, it is important to understand the risks associated with consuming the liver and to avoid it whenever possible.
12. Can polar bear liver be used for any other purposes?
Polar bear liver is sometimes used in traditional medicine for its high vitamin A content. However, there are many other sources of vitamin A that are safer to consume.
Leave a Reply