Placentophagy: therapeutic miracle or myth?

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Maternal Health
• Human Biology

Background:

• Postpartum women are increasingly consuming human placenta in various forms (raw, cooked, encapsulated).
• This practice, known as placentophagy, is driven by beliefs that the placenta contains beneficial hormones and nutrients for maternal recovery.
• Advocates claim it can prevent postpartum depression (PPD), alleviate pain, and offer other health advantages.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing empirical research on human and animal placentophagy.
• To evaluate the scientific evidence supporting the claimed health benefits of maternal placenta consumption.
• To identify gaps in knowledge regarding the risks and benefits of placentophagy.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Medline Ovid, and PsychINFO databases.
• Keywords included various terms for placentophagy (e.g., placentophagy, placentophagia, maternal placentophagia).
• Empirical studies on human and animal placenta consumption were selected, excluding commentaries. Animal studies were included if relevant to human practice.

Main Results:

• Ten articles (four human, six animal) met the inclusion criteria.
• A minority of women in developed countries practice placentophagy, believing it reduces PPD risk and enhances recovery.
• Experimental animal research on pain reduction has not translated to human studies. Evidence for benefits like uterine contraction, estrogen cycle resumption, and milk production is inconclusive.

Conclusions:

• The perceived benefits of placentophagy for postpartum women are not supported by conclusive scientific evidence.
• Further investigation is required to understand the retained contents of the placenta (raw, cooked, encapsulated) and their effects on postpartum health.
• The health benefits and risks associated with maternal placentophagy remain largely unproven and necessitate rigorous scientific inquiry.