Placentophagia: Benefits of Eating the Placenta

This Age-old Tradition Has Some Surprising Benefits

Placentophagia -- the pratice of eating the placenta -- has been observed throughout history in many parts of the world. In Western cultures, eating the placenta is often viewed as barbaric, but thanks to new information about the surprising benefits, there has been a recent push among
 young mothers to eat the placenta after giving birth. While many Western doctors discourage placentophagia with the claim that it carries no inherent benefits, studies have shown that eating the placenta can curb postpartum depression, replenish nutrients, increase milk production, and slow postpartum hemmorrhage.

Placentophagia may deter the onset of postpartum depression

The placenta contains high levels of various vitamins, such as B6, which can help curb postpartum depression. Eating the placenta enables the mother to "reclaim" these vitamins and put them to use in her own body. Placentophagia may also increase a mother's blood levels of a hormone known as CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone), a known stress-reducer. This hormone is normally secreted by the hypothalamus. According to a study performed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), "During the last trimester of pregnancy, the placenta secretes so much CRH that the levels in the bloodstream increase threefold. However, it was also discovered that postpartum women have lower than average levels of CRH, triggering depressive symptoms. They concluded that the placenta secreted so much CRH that the hypothalamus stopped producing it (http://placentabenefits.info/medicinal.asp)." After childbirth, the hypothalamus doesn't immediately receive the signal to begin producing CRH again, which can lead to postpartum depression. Eating the placenta can raise a mother's CRH levels, reducing symptoms of postpartum depression.

Placentophagia may help replenish nutrients lost during childbirth


Related information
  • Placentophagia may help reduce the risk of postpartum depression.
  • Postpartum hemorrhage can be slowed by placentophagia.
  • Eating the placenta can replenish essential nutrients lost during childbirth.
 
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I just wonder, if the people who immediately dismiss this method have ever suffered from post partum depression? Here is a possibility, as simple as eating something free and available after birth, that could reduce or prevent PPD. No harm and a chance that it helps? Sounds worth a try to me. Although I already did this. Mixed in a fruit smoothies about 1/2 after she was born. Who knows if it worked or not? I can say that my uterus returned to the pelvic cavity about a month earlier than the medical textbooks cite, but that could be genetics. *shrug* To each their own, but PPD is nothing to mess around with. I hope those w/ a family history or markers for PPD at least consider this method. Same w/ those who experience severe PPH or uterine issues.

Posted on 07/08/2009 at 5:07:26 PM

animals eat the placenta as a defense mechanism to hide birth evidence from predators. women eating placenta for vitamins and hormones has little evidence, or no evidence behind it, however the is mounting evidence that the placenta is the filter for toxins and by doing its job catches lead, mercury and other environmentals toxins. Although eating placenta may put back vitamins, it also puts back the very toxins kept from your baby. The placenta eating websites and articles are practicing much of the "western medicine" they claim to be moving away from and that is unbalanced info and failure to provide informed consent.

Posted on 06/06/2009 at 7:06:56 AM

If only there were more websites on the exact benefits of eating the placenta. I had the recent fortune of cooking and eating my twin sister's placenta after her first child's birth, and it was just fine! Cooked like liver in a way, but came out with a consistency akin to a tough piece of filet mignon. Just sprinkle it with spices and cook it like you would any other meat. It's the only way to enjoy meat without having to kill anything.

Posted on 04/07/2009 at 12:04:28 PM

for those looking for study related material, please visit http://placentabenefits.info/research.asp

Posted on 11/19/2008 at 6:11:08 PM

There seems to be a distinct lack of anything remotely appearing to be a scientific source or study link, come on. Elsevier? Sciencedirect? Anything? Until then interesting read but note this, animals eat their placenta to replace neccessary vitamins, this is true, however humans aren't in danger of vitamin loss due to our diet etc.

Posted on 09/10/2008 at 6:09:09 AM

What's so horrible !! Have you ever seen the food that you eat ?? and what about your lipstick and all your skincare cream ... all made with placenta !!

Posted on 04/28/2008 at 4:04:08 AM

i think its great, at first i was shock but thats really an informative one thank you!

Posted on 01/31/2008 at 6:01:47 PM

I was intrigued by other information posted on this web page but after this article I won't be visiting this site anymore. I realize this site must be ran by a bunch of freaks.

Posted on 01/08/2008 at 2:01:15 PM

I knew I shouldn't read this article...dreams for a week...well written, though.

Posted on 09/13/2007 at 11:09:00 AM

could you give scientific sources? i would like to learn more about it but with the science to back it up

Posted on 09/10/2007 at 11:09:00 AM

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