Placenta – Worth Trying? Human Maternal Placentophagy: Possible Benefit and Potential Risks

Johnson, Sophia K.; Pastuschek, Jana; Rödel, Jürgen; Markert, Udo R.; Groten, T

doi:10.1055/a-0674-6275

Cited by 9 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Findings strongly suggest that POEF is a common mammalian substance, which suggests the possibility that all mammalian species, including humans, possess the capacity to respond to POEF. Currently, there are no controlled studies of the effects of POEF through placental consumption in humans [ 22 , 26 , 32 ].…”

Section: Analgesic Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Women may consume the placenta as an additional protein contribution in poor regions [ 48 ] since a single placenta weighing 450 g contains an average of 234 calories, 4 g fat, 899 mg cholesterol, 48 g protein, 513 g of sodium, plus significant amounts of trace elements such as iron, selenium, calcium, copper, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, and zinc [ 22 ]. Placenta also contains essential and non-essential amino acids, such as alanine, aspartic acid, arginine, histidine, leucine, lysine, phenylalanine, proline, tyrosine, tryptophan, and valine, in addition to vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6, B7, B9, and B12 [ 22 ] ( Table 1 ). Regarding Vitamin A and retinoids, the placental retinyl stores could be considered a local reserve for placental use.…”

Section: Nutritional Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are currently no known, firsthand, ethnographic accounts of placentophagia among humans as a traditional cultural practice [ 62 ]. Interest in placentophagy has grown in industrialized cities in the last 50 years [ 22 , 29 ].…”

Section: Benefits and Adverse Effects Of Placentophagiamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The first scientific study of human maternal placentophagia was conducted in 1917, in which the increase in protein and lactose in the milk of lactating women who consumed their dry placenta stood out [ 20 ]. More recently, the first consistent reports of human placentophagia originated from North America in the 1970s and spread out among women living in industrialized cities [ 21 ], leading to a trend for an increase in consumption of the placenta, whether raw, steeped in liquid, steamed, cooked, dehydrated, processed and encapsulated, or as a tea [ 22 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, it reduces the incidence of postpartum pseudopregnancy [ 5 ], prevents postpartum hemorrhages, decreases postpartum depression [ 24 ], promotes lactogenesis, and provides nutritional benefits [ 25 ]. In humans, placentophagia has been considered a puerperal remedy [ 22 ]; however, some studies indicate that human placenta does not provide all its benefits [ 26 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Consumption of Maternal Placenta in Humans and Nonhuman Mammals: Beneficial and Adverse Effects

Mota-Rojas

Orihuela

Strappini

et al. 2020

Animals

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Placentophagia is a common mammalian behavior, and the first scientific study of the potential effects of human maternal placentophagia on lactation was in 1917. More recently, in the 1970s, human placentophagia was reported in North America with a trend toward increased consumption. There are different hypotheses about the women and nonhuman mammals’ motivation towards placentophagia, but few have been subject to hypotheses testing. In women, the controversy continues; on the one hand, researchers attribute benefits like increased breast milk, weight gain in newborns, decreased postpartum depression and fatigue, and improved mothers’ mood. In contrast, bacterial or viral infections, hormonal, or trace elements that could become toxic for both the mother and baby are reported as possible health risks. Other reports argue a lack of scientific rigor to support the self-reported benefits of placentophagia. Also, the way the placenta is prepared (raw, cooked, dehydrated, processed, or encapsulated) alters its components, and thus the desired effects. This review provides relevant information and the different hypotheses and points of view around placentophagia. However, there are still questions to be resolved, and more studies are needed to confirm or reject the data generated so far about placentophagia in humans and nonhuman mammals.

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Section: Analgesic Effectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Nutritional Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Benefits and Adverse Effects Of Placentophagiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Consumption of Maternal Placenta in Humans and Nonhuman Mammals: Beneficial and Adverse Effects

Mota-Rojas

Orihuela

Strappini

et al. 2020

Animals

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Placentophagia and the Tao of POEF

Kristal

DiPirro

Thompson

et al. 2023

Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

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Alternative Birth Plans and Unintended Maternal and Neonatal Consequences: A Review of the Literature

Whittington

Rumpel²,

Shnaekel³

et al. 2020

Obstetrical &Amp; Gynecological Survey

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Importance Birth plans are an important part of childbirth preparation for many women. Objective The aim of this review was to discuss some common requests, specifically home birth, water birth, placentophagy, lotus birth, vaccination refusal, and vaginal seeding, including evidence-based recommendations, perceived benefits, and potential maternal and neonatal consequences. Evidence Acquisition A literature search for each topic was undertaken using PubMed and Web of Science. For the home birth section, the MeSH terms home AND birth OR childbirth AND outcomes OR complications OR recommendations OR guidelines were used. For the vaccination section, birth OR childbirth OR maternal AND vaccination refusal were searched. For the remainder of the sections, umbilical cord AND nonseverance OR placentophagy OR vaginal seeding OR lotus birth were searched. A total of 523 articles were identified. The abstracts were reviewed by 2 authors (J.R.W. and J.A.R.); 60 of these articles were selected and used for this review. Results Home birth is currently not recommended in the United States. Immersion in water for labor is acceptable, but delivery should not occur in water. Placentophagy and lotus birth should be discouraged because of risk of neonatal infection. Vaccines should be administered in accordance with national guidelines. Vaginal seeding should be discouraged until more is known about the practice. Conclusion and Relevance These evidence-based recommendations provide clear guidance for physicians so that the birthing experience can be enhanced for both mother and neonate without compromising safety. Relevance Statement This is an evidence-based literature review of alternative birth plans and recommendations for directive counseling. Target Audience Obstetricians, midwives, family practitioners, pediatricians, and nurse practitioners who provide obstetric and/or pediatric care. Learning Objectives After completing this activity, the learner should be better able to counsel patients on the risks and benefits of alternative birth plans; distinguish which maternal requests are associated with increased risk of neonatal infections; and risk stratify patients for home birth and identify absolute contraindications to home birth.

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Placenta – Worth Trying? Human Maternal Placentophagy: Possible Benefit and Potential Risks

Cited by 9 publications

References 37 publications

Consumption of Maternal Placenta in Humans and Nonhuman Mammals: Beneficial and Adverse Effects

Consumption of Maternal Placenta in Humans and Nonhuman Mammals: Beneficial and Adverse Effects

Placentophagia and the Tao of POEF

Alternative Birth Plans and Unintended Maternal and Neonatal Consequences: A Review of the Literature

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