Placenta Related Research Studies
~ Biological Evidence Supporting Placentophagy ~
The reasons for Placentophagy are more complex then simply being a necessity for cleaning the nest. This theory is often brought up as a way to keep offspring safe from predators, but it is important to examine instances of placentophagy that would disprove this theory. One instance is that animals without predators will still consume their placentas despite not being in harms way. Also, animals that birth offspring that are able to leave the nesting site will remain behind until the placenta is consumed. In addition animals that do not birth in nesting areas, but high in trees will retain their placenta for consumption instead of letting it fall to the ground. Most importantly merely consuming the placenta would not leave the nesting site clean and prevent potential predators from harming the offspring as blood and fluids would still remain and act as an attractant.
In addition to the cleaning the nest theory and placentophagy there are also ideas that suggest mothers have a shift in food preference towards carnivorousness at the time of birth, that mothers are generally hungry due to not eating during labor, and that mothers have specific hormonal and nutritional needs after their birthing time that a placenta would satisfy. Though these theories attempt to describe the reasons for placentophagy they also fail to adequately explain why mothers consume their placentas in all cases.
A more sound theory for placentophagy is that of an evolutionary basis. Digestion of the placenta may actually affect the mother's immune system since the placenta contains factors which would prevent her body from creating antibodies as a response to antigens in the baby's blood. Women who are Rh-negative are encouraged by their physicians to get a shot of Rhogam to help prevent their bodies from creating high levels of anti-Rh antibodies. The creation of these antibodies could make any subsequent pregnancies of a Rh-positive baby difficult due to her body mistaking it as a threat. Placentophagy may in fact be a natural antidote to this antibody problem that mammals have adapted over time.
Supporting Studies:
Kristal_biobehavioral.pdf
In addition to the cleaning the nest theory and placentophagy there are also ideas that suggest mothers have a shift in food preference towards carnivorousness at the time of birth, that mothers are generally hungry due to not eating during labor, and that mothers have specific hormonal and nutritional needs after their birthing time that a placenta would satisfy. Though these theories attempt to describe the reasons for placentophagy they also fail to adequately explain why mothers consume their placentas in all cases.
A more sound theory for placentophagy is that of an evolutionary basis. Digestion of the placenta may actually affect the mother's immune system since the placenta contains factors which would prevent her body from creating antibodies as a response to antigens in the baby's blood. Women who are Rh-negative are encouraged by their physicians to get a shot of Rhogam to help prevent their bodies from creating high levels of anti-Rh antibodies. The creation of these antibodies could make any subsequent pregnancies of a Rh-positive baby difficult due to her body mistaking it as a threat. Placentophagy may in fact be a natural antidote to this antibody problem that mammals have adapted over time.
Supporting Studies:
Kristal_biobehavioral.pdf
~ Postpartum Fatigue, Anemia & PPD ~
Both iron deficiency and fatigue can impact the development of Postpartum Depression (PPD) by creating a vicious cycle of ailments that Placentophagy could help with, or help to avoid. The vicious cycle begins with iron deficiency being prevalent in women of childbearing age. World estimates state >50% of this population are affected. Having iron deficiency results in many symptoms, some of which are: an impaired ability to concentrate, impaired physical work capacity, depressive symptoms, and fatigue. These symptoms are often overlooked or misdiagnosed due to postpartum women dealing with the lifestyle changes of having a new baby in the house and attributing these symptoms to these changes.
Unfortunately overlooking or ignoring symptoms of iron deficiency, such as fatigue, and not providing proper treatment can lead to the next step in the cycle of PPD development. Research has shown that early postpartum fatigue plays a significant role in PPD. This fatigue adds to the stress of raising a newborn and adjusting to the changes taking place and can hinder a woman from reaching her maximum potential within her role as a mother.
Early screening and treatment of both iron deficiency and fatigue is necessary to reduce the chance of PPD developing, especially since women with PPD respond best when treatment is received at early onset. Placentophagy can be part of this early treatment and help postpartum women avoid both iron deficiency, the fatigue that often accompanies it, and PPD. Several health findings have shown that PPD does respond to iron supplementation and placentas contain iron that can aid in replenishing a postpartum woman's iron levels. A woman's placenta, when ingested, can help stop the the vicious cycle that so many women endure after having a baby.
Supporting Studies:
fatigue_predictor_PPD.pdf
have-we-forgotten.pdf
impact_fatigue_PPD.pdf
Iron_content_intact_placentas.pdf
iron_deficiency_cognition.pdf
Iron_fatigue_non-anaemic.pdf
Unfortunately overlooking or ignoring symptoms of iron deficiency, such as fatigue, and not providing proper treatment can lead to the next step in the cycle of PPD development. Research has shown that early postpartum fatigue plays a significant role in PPD. This fatigue adds to the stress of raising a newborn and adjusting to the changes taking place and can hinder a woman from reaching her maximum potential within her role as a mother.
Early screening and treatment of both iron deficiency and fatigue is necessary to reduce the chance of PPD developing, especially since women with PPD respond best when treatment is received at early onset. Placentophagy can be part of this early treatment and help postpartum women avoid both iron deficiency, the fatigue that often accompanies it, and PPD. Several health findings have shown that PPD does respond to iron supplementation and placentas contain iron that can aid in replenishing a postpartum woman's iron levels. A woman's placenta, when ingested, can help stop the the vicious cycle that so many women endure after having a baby.
Supporting Studies:
fatigue_predictor_PPD.pdf
have-we-forgotten.pdf
impact_fatigue_PPD.pdf
Iron_content_intact_placentas.pdf
iron_deficiency_cognition.pdf
Iron_fatigue_non-anaemic.pdf
~ Lactation ~
Research does show evidence that dried placenta positively affect milk supply, with 86% of women in the experimental group having significant increase in milk production within four days of taking placenta. However, this study does not conclusively uncover how placenta effects milk supply, but narrows down the variables.
This research examined if the effective substances on milk supply were the protein of the placenta, the placenta acting as a biogenic stimulator, or the hormones contained within the placenta. The results showed that milk production was not caused merely due to the protein content of the placenta or the placenta acting as a biogenic stimulator since the experimental group who ingested placenta had different results then the control group that ingested beef, which is also high in protein and can act as a biogenic stimulator.
Due to these finding the focus of how placenta effects milk supply is on its hormonal content. The placenta retains hormones upon the birth and these hormones could be positively effecting a woman's milk production. However, more research needs to be done to examine more thoroughly how specific placental hormones, such as prolactin and oxytocin, effect lactating mothers. The question now is not if placental hormones play a role in milk production, but which hormones or combination of hormones are the key.
Supporting Studies:
placenta_lactagogon.pdf
This research examined if the effective substances on milk supply were the protein of the placenta, the placenta acting as a biogenic stimulator, or the hormones contained within the placenta. The results showed that milk production was not caused merely due to the protein content of the placenta or the placenta acting as a biogenic stimulator since the experimental group who ingested placenta had different results then the control group that ingested beef, which is also high in protein and can act as a biogenic stimulator.
Due to these finding the focus of how placenta effects milk supply is on its hormonal content. The placenta retains hormones upon the birth and these hormones could be positively effecting a woman's milk production. However, more research needs to be done to examine more thoroughly how specific placental hormones, such as prolactin and oxytocin, effect lactating mothers. The question now is not if placental hormones play a role in milk production, but which hormones or combination of hormones are the key.
Supporting Studies:
placenta_lactagogon.pdf
~ Hormonal Fluctuations ~
Research
indicates both that postpartum depression has a biological cause and
that placenta contains hormones that may assist in the treatment of
this disorder. Links between low levels of stress-fighting hormones and
the baby blues support the theory that during pregnancy the placenta
plays a large role in hormone production, and after birth it takes time
for the brain to balance the production of these hormones since the
placenta is no longer involved. By ingesting placenta during a woman's
postpartum recovery period she would be reintroducing these hormones
into her system until her brain takes over in signaling production once
again; helping her to prevent postpartum depression from setting in
due to low hormone levels.
Despite research not showing a strong causal relationship between specific hormones and their roles in postpartum depression it is important to note that the existing research is flawed. Conflicting results have been found due to studies lacking controls for the wide spectrum of variables regarding postpartum women and postpartum depression onset. It is important to acknowledge that certain hormonal changes may in fact contribute to depressive moods in certain postpartum women, but further more reliable research is needed to understand this complex relationship.
Supporting Studies:
CRH_study.pdf
Hendrick_hormonal_changes.pdf
prolactin_progesterone.pdf
Despite research not showing a strong causal relationship between specific hormones and their roles in postpartum depression it is important to note that the existing research is flawed. Conflicting results have been found due to studies lacking controls for the wide spectrum of variables regarding postpartum women and postpartum depression onset. It is important to acknowledge that certain hormonal changes may in fact contribute to depressive moods in certain postpartum women, but further more reliable research is needed to understand this complex relationship.
Supporting Studies:
CRH_study.pdf
Hendrick_hormonal_changes.pdf
prolactin_progesterone.pdf
~ Pain Relief ~
Placenta would be a beneficial addition to current options for pain relief that post childbirth women currently have. The research shows that ingested placenta increases the effectiveness of opioids. Placenta would then allow women to take less opioids for pain relief, but still have a positive relief of pain. Taking less medications would result in less negative side effect for new mothers, such as a decrease in maternal responsiveness. Despite placenta not working as an independent form of pain relief and not working with other pain relief options, such as aspirin, I still believe that it should be an alternative option that women have available to them during their postpartum recovery period.
Supporting Studies:
kristal_enhanced_analgesia.pdf
Kristal_opioid.pdf
kristal_POEF_opioid_events.pdf
Supporting Studies:
kristal_enhanced_analgesia.pdf
Kristal_opioid.pdf
kristal_POEF_opioid_events.pdf
For additional research study citations please click HERE
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