Like Heals Like Organ Matching
Match a targeted organ food or glandular to the system needing support
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time to result
- ~weeks to results
- Steps
- 5
- Confidence
- 89%
Like heals like is a traditional matching rule: identify the body system that needs support, then consider the corresponding animal organ or gland as a nutrient-dense food or glandular. Axe gives heart-to-heart, liver-to-liver, and thyroid-to-thyroid examples and connects organs with naturally occurring peptides, B vitamins, iron, selenium, CoQ10, carnosine, taurine, and creatine. The method is not simply to take every organ product. It starts with a defined system or deficiency, selects a targeted source, chooses a tolerable format, and tracks a relevant outcome. Because the episode makes medical claims about organ products, the framework should be applied with professional guidance, safe sourcing, and attention to individual contraindications.
Origin
Dr. Josh Axe explicitly named the principle while discussing traditional glandular use, peptides, and organ meats on Habits & Hustle.
Core principles
- 01Organs concentrate nutrients and peptides associated with their functions
- 02Match the organ or gland to the body system under consideration
- 03Use food first when practical and a glandular format when necessary
- 04A targeted match still depends on the person's deficiency and condition
How to run it
- 1
Define the system
Identify the organ system, nutrient deficiency, or clinician-confirmed problem being considered. Avoid starting from a product.
Pro tip Use a measurable marker where possible.
Watch out Do not self-diagnose serious organ disease.
- 2
Match the source
Select the corresponding organ or gland, such as heart, liver, or thyroid, based on the stated rule. Confirm that its nutrient profile is relevant to the target.
Watch out A traditional match is a hypothesis, not proof of efficacy.
- 3
Choose the format
Use a properly prepared food when acceptable or a reputable glandular supplement when taste or access is a barrier. Check ingredient and sourcing details.
Pro tip Choose the simplest single-organ format when testing a specific match.
Watch out Multi-organ blends make it harder to attribute effects.
- 4
Set the trial
Define dose, duration, and the outcome to monitor with a clinician when appropriate. Keep unrelated changes stable.
Watch out Review medication interactions and conditions affected by concentrated nutrients.
- 5
Evaluate the response
Compare symptoms and objective markers with the baseline. Continue only when the targeted benefit and safety case are clear.
Pro tip Stop and seek advice if adverse effects appear.
In the wild
A clinician confirms low iron-related markers in a patient who tolerates animal foods. They agree on a safely sourced liver product, define the dose and review date, and retest rather than assuming that more is always better.
→ The organ choice is tied to a measured deficiency and supervised follow-up.
Common mistakes
Taking a broad blend without a target
A multi-organ supplement without a defined need weakens the matching rule and makes outcomes hard to interpret.
Treating the rule as a cure
Nutrient density and traditional use do not replace diagnosis or evidence-based care.
Ignoring sourcing and dose
Concentrated animal products require quality control and can deliver high levels of specific nutrients.
Is it for you?
Best for
People exploring nutrient-dense whole foods or clinician-guided glandular support for a defined need.
Not ideal for
People with contraindications, uncertain diagnoses, or no way to verify safe sourcing and dosing.
From the transcript
“the principle is called like heals like if you have a heart issue, eat heart.”
“If you have a thyroid issue, what should you take for your thyroid? Thyroid gland.”
From the episode
Episode 485: Dr. Josh Axe: Why Your Healthy Smoothie is Making You Sick (And What Actually Heals)
Dr. Josh Axe