Though there is research supporting the benefits
of placentophagy in new mothers, the body of research is small and incomplete.
The practice of human mothers eating their own placentas (known
as placentophagy), however, is a relatively newer practice that is thought to have originated perhaps in the 1970s, as part of the movement to incorporate more natural birthing methods.
Whatever the cause of
placentophagy in the animal kingdom, it's clear that moms from across the world are pleased with the results from utilizing their placenta for postpartum recovery.
Kim did it, Kourtney Kardashian did it and Khloe says she's going to do it, but
human placentophagy definitely didn't start with the Kards.
Benyshek is now researching the public health implications, the likely course of
placentophagy throughout human evolution, whether placentas can treat mood disorders and hormonal imbalances, and any potential risks.
In fact, a published 2010 study by Young and Benyshek did not find any evidence of human
maternal placentophagy as a traditional cultural practice among a sample of 179 societies around the globe.
I am so passionate about the positive
effects placentophagy bestows on postpartum wellness, that I am compelled to share this gift with you.
The act of eating the placenta after you give birth,
called placentophagy, isn't just something animals do.
In fact, the argument those mothers stay and eat the placenta, sometimes taking hours, rather than leave the site is evidence that the behavior
of placentophagy is not just about cleaning up the nest.
These hormones can be very beneficial during the postpartum period by ingesting your placenta, also known
as placentophagy.
The reaction: The medical community knows of no benefits to
placentophagy, but no risks either.
Most of the women said they engaged in
placentophagy to improve their mood and to enhance lactation after... Read more
The purpose of the organization is to educate women and professional communities about the benefits of
placentophagy (placenta ingestion) for postpartum recovery.
PBi believes that
placentophagy can help these mothers have a better postpartum recovery, and possibly avoid the baby blues.
Who is Speaking: Experts in
placentophagy, postpartum support and breastfeeding; published authors; and business coaches.
More recently, the practice of
placentophagy, or eating the placenta, has risen in popularity among women in North America, according to The Atlantic.
Regarding use of
placentophagy for preventing or treating postpartum mood disorders, researchers have concluded that «current evidence does not suggest that placentophagy prevents or treats PPD by replenishing therapeutic doses of estrogen nor that it facilitates a return to a normal postpartum estrogen cycle.
Selander's personal experience and feedback from women convinced
her that placentophagy was something that more women ought to be aware of.
A placebo - controlled study led by UNLV anthropologist Daniel C. Benyshek and co-author Sharon Young last year found that consuming encapsulated human placenta, a growing practice known as
placentophagy, as a source of dietary iron offered no benefit to postpartum mothers.