New mothers who consume their placenta after birth could be putting their health at risk, experts claim.
A panel of health experts led by an obstetrician from New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City studied the consumption of this organ in various forms – including pills and it being cooked – and found inadequate preparation could be insufficient to eradicate infections such as Zika, hepatitis and HIV.
Consuming the placenta has become increasingly popular among new mothers because of the many benefits proponents have claimed it has on the body including less risk of getting postpartum depression, increased mood and energy levels.
Experts found no evidence that there are health benefits to consuming placenta and went as far as to urge doctors to warn their patients against it.
In June, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that newborns were developing a form of sepsis from contaminated breast milk due to placenta capsules.
Eating the placenta after a mother gives birth has risen in popularity over the recent years. People claim it helps with health problems such as postpartum depression. But health experts say there is no proof that there are any benefits from eating the placenta
Researchers analyzed dozens of studies about placenta consumption and now advise obstetricians to discourage their patients from eating the placenta in any form, according to the study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
‘As obstetricians, it’s important to tell the truth. And the truth is it’s potentially harmful and no evidence it’s beneficial, so therefore, don’t do it,’ said Dr Amos Grunebaum, lead author and obstetrician.
‘Over the last few years, we’ve had an increasing demand from patients who wanted to take their placenta home after delivery in order to eat it.’
Many animals are known to consume their placenta after giving birth, but humans typically discarded the organ until recently.
The placenta’s job is to transport oxygen and other crucial nutrients to promote fetal growth, as well as filter toxins that might harm the fetus.
The first mention in literature of humans eating their own placentas occurred about a century ago, Dr Grunebaum said, but the more recent fascination with the practice has been fueled by celebrity endorsements.
Human placentas have been consumed in many forms: raw, cooked, roasted, dehydrated, steamed and capsule form, or in smoothies or other drinks.
The most common preparation appears to be in capsules.
Companies offer to prepare the placenta for consumption, typically at a cost of $200 to $400.
‘As obstetricians, it’s important to tell the truth. And the truth is it’s potentially harmful and no evidence it’s beneficial, so therefore, don’t do it
But Dr Grunebaum’s research found no evidence in clinical studies backing the health benefits claimed by proponents of placenta-eating.
And now, potential dangers of placenta consumption are becoming apparent.
In June, the CDC issued a warning about a case of a newborn developing recurrent group B Streptococcus sepsis after the mother ingested contaminated placenta capsules.
The baby’s mother had been consuming placenta capsules three times a day.
While her breast milk did not exhibit group B Streptococcus, samples of her dried placenta inside the capsules did.
It was the first ‘solid evidence that contaminated placenta capsules can be a source of infection,’ Dr Grunebaum’s study said.
Inadequate heating and preparation of the placenta may also be insufficient to eradicate viruses such as HIV, hepatitis or Zika.
A woman’s decision about placenta-eating ‘should be based on scientific information, not on wishful thinking and other thoughts that are not clearly outlined,’ Dr Grunebaum said.
‘Ethics is among the most important subjects in medicine. We need to be able to tell our patients what’s right and what’s wrong … and be ready with a response based on science.’
Most US states still lack clear regulations or safety guidelines addressing placenta consumption and hospitals have their own widely varying policies regarding the release of the placenta to mothers.
The researchers conducted survey on placenta consumption and found that nearly 54 percent of obstetricians and gynecologists felt uninformed about the risks and benefits of the practice, and 60 percent were unsure whether they should be in favor of it.
Celebrity mothers who ate their placenta after giving birth
Katherine Heigl
The former Grey’s Anatomy actress took placenta pills after having her son Joshua.
She learned about the possibility of freeze-drying her placenta when a new mother across the hall from her at the hospital did it.
Heigl decided to get placenta pills of her own made once she had her son.
Former Grey’s Anatomy star Katherine Heigl had placenta pills made after her son Joshua was born in November 2016
Kourtney Kardashian
The reality star freeze-dried her placenta after having her youngest son Reign.
She even posted an Instagram photo with the placenta pills in it to broadcast that she chose to take them.
Her caption said: ‘Yummy…PLACENTA pills! No joke…I will be sad when my placenta pills run out. They are life changing! #benefits #lookitup.’
Supposedly Kim Kardashian was going to do the same after her son Saint was born but there has been no confirmation if she did.
Kourtney Kardashian was vocal on Instagram about her choice to take placenta pills. She had them made after her son Reign was born
Tia and Tamara Mowry
On their reality show, the twins drank Tia’s placenta that was mixed with brandy in 2013.
Viewers watched as they poured the mixture into glasses before drinking it together.
Right after they drank it Tia said: ‘Oh my God, I see residue.’ But she admitted later that it didn’t taste bad.
It was indeed a sister, sister moment for the duo.
Tamara (left) and Tia Mowry (right) shared a sister moment when they drank Tia’s placenta together on their reality show
Gabby Hoffman
The Girls star had her placenta chopped up into 20 pieces and frozen.
Every morning she would then grab a piece and toss it into her breakfast smoothie.
The smoothie included her placenta, fruits and milk. She said it helped give her a much needed boost in the morning.
Girls star Gabby Hoffman had her placenta chopped up into 20 pieces and frozen. She then put a piece in a fruit smoothie every morning