Vitamins
A 68-gram slice of beef liver provides 2,000 percent of the adult recommended dietary allowance for vitamin B-12. Vitamin B-12 plays vital roles in the production of genetic materials and red blood cells and in neurological health. The same serving of beef liver supplies 917 percent of the adult female RDA for vitamin A and 713 percent of the adult male RDA. Vitamin A is integral to vital organ, immune, vision and reproductive functions and is also active in cell communication, growth and differentiation. A slice of beef liver also offers 212 percent of the adult female RDA for riboflavin and 179 percent of the adult male RDA. Riboflavin helps your body metabolize food and maintain vision and skin health.
Minerals
A serving of beef liver has 121 percent of the adult female RDA for zinc and 88 percent of the adult male RDA. Zinc aids in cellular metabolism, immune function, protein and genetic materials creation, wound healing and cell division. It is also vital for normal fetal, childhood and adolescent growth and development and maintaining your senses of taste and smell. A 68-gram slice of beef liver contributes 56 percent of the adult male RDA for iron and 25 percent of the adult female RDA. Iron transports oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body and also aids in cell growth and division. The same amount of beef liver supplies 45 percent of the adult RDA for selenium. Selenium helps your body fight cellular damage from free radicals by combining with proteins after metabolism to form powerful antioxidants called selenoproteins. By batting free radicals, selenoproteins can help prevent cancer and heart disease. Selenium also plays important roles in immune and thyroid function.
Cholesterol
The major disadvantage of eating beef liver is the amount of cholesterol it contains. A slice of beef liver has 90 percent of the DV of cholesterol. Cholesterol is vital to the creation of cells and certain hormones, but your body naturally produces all it needs. Excessive dietary cholesterol can increase your risks for heart disease and stroke.