Eating your own placenta should not bring any health benefits

Eating the placenta has no proven health benefits
Some mothers consume the placenta after the birth of their child and expect this health benefit. Scientists from the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago have now published a review of a comprehensive analysis of this so-called placentophagy, with the result that there is no scientific evidence of the imputed health benefits.

The consumption of the placenta - raw or cooked - is said to have a variety of positive effects. For example, placentophagy is said to have a preventive effect on postpartum depression, relieve post-pregnancy pain, counterbalance existing iron deficiency, and provide many other health benefits from the hormones and nutrients it contains. Today, capsules containing dried, powdered placenta are also used to treat sleep problems, inflammation and scarring, as well as skin aging and hormone balance in menstrual disorders and menopausal symptoms. Crystal Clark from Northwestern University and colleagues. In their review, the scientists have evaluated ten studies on placental disease and published their findings in the journal "Archives often Women's Mental Health".

No scientific evidence of health benefits from consuming the placenta. (Image: photosoup / fotolia.com)

Consume the placenta also in the wildlife
Almost every mother knows stories about the consumption of the placenta, even if only a few actually use it in this country. For most, the thought of eating the afterbirth causes considerable discomfort, but in nature this behavior is not uncommon in mammals. Advocates see this as an indication of potential benefits of placentophagy, but so far this has not been adequately scientifically studied. This is confirmed by the researchers of Northwestern University in their current review. They evaluated ten available studies and checked for evidence of health benefits. The result is sobering. They found no scientific evidence for the assumed positive effects of placentophagy.

Risk of pollutants and pathogens in the placenta
The researchers also explicitly warn against the potential risks of consuming the placenta, as it is by no means sterile and also has the function of protecting the fetus from harmful substances. So they would be filtered from the blood and stored in the placenta. Here already increased concentrations of pollutants such as cadmium, selenium, lead and mercury have been detected. Also found in the placenta after birth are viruses and bacteria whose effect remains unclear when consumed. Potential risks due to placentophagy can not be ruled out here according to the researchers. Further studies are needed to understand the advantages and disadvantages of placentophagy and to enable a clear assessment. Expectant mothers should be advised by doctors or gynecologists about possible risks and be aware of the fact that breastfeeding may expose your child to risk. (Fp)