Consuming polar bear liver is extremely dangerous and potentially fatal. This risk stems from exceptionally high concentrations of Vitamin A in the polar bear’s liver, far exceeding safe human intake levels. Historically, early Arctic explorers, unaware of the danger, suffered dire consequences after consumption.
Why Polar Bear Liver is Dangerous
Polar bear liver is toxic due to hypervitaminosis A, or Vitamin A poisoning. Polar bears accumulate large amounts of Vitamin A (retinol) in their livers from their diet. As apex predators, they feed on seals, which also store Vitamin A. This bioaccumulation concentrates Vitamin A higher up the food chain.
A healthy human liver contains about 575 IU of Vitamin A per gram, while a polar bear’s liver can contain 24,000 to 35,000 IU per gram. The tolerable upper intake level for adult humans is 10,000 IU. Even a small portion of polar bear liver can deliver a toxic dose. Unlike water-soluble vitamins, fat-soluble Vitamin A cannot be easily flushed from the body, leading to hazardous accumulation. Polar bears have evolved specific metabolic pathways to process these high Vitamin A levels safely, a capability humans lack.
Signs of Vitamin A Poisoning
Consuming toxic levels of Vitamin A from polar bear liver causes acute poisoning with rapid onset of severe symptoms. Initial signs include drowsiness, sluggishness, and severe headaches. Nausea, vomiting, and dizziness are common as the body struggles to cope.
Among the more disturbing symptoms, historical accounts describe widespread skin peeling. This ranges from flaking around the mouth to full-body skin loss, potentially exposing underlying flesh. Severe cases can lead to blurred vision, irritability, bone pain, liver damage, hemorrhage, coma, and death. Even a small amount of the liver can induce these life-threatening effects.
Conservation and Legality
Beyond the severe health risks, consuming polar bear liver is also constrained by conservation laws. Polar bears are a protected species globally, listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the United States and protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) also includes polar bears in Appendix II, regulating their international trade.
These regulations mean that hunting, possessing, or trading polar bear parts is highly restricted for most individuals. While some indigenous communities in Arctic regions have limited subsistence hunting rights, these rights do not extend to commercial trade for most people, and even within these communities, the liver’s toxicity is well-known and avoided. Obtaining polar bear liver legally is virtually impossible for the general public due to these comprehensive protections aimed at preserving the species.