What Does the Research Say About Consuming Your Placenta?

Everyone from doulas to midwives to celebrities are recommending placenta encapsulation. In a world where misinformation is just the norm, my clients want evidence-based resources in order to make informed choices about whether or not to consume their placenta. Unfortunately, if you are looking for research that explores the benefits and risks of placenta consumption, there is not a whole lot out there.

So what does the current research say about consuming your placenta? Here I go into depth on 8 of the available studies. Click on the study title to be linked to the journal article.

Study 1: Who Eats Their Placenta? 2010 Survey of Placenta Consumers

Almost 200 people were asked questions about their experience consuming their placenta, as well as demographic information. Researchers found that the most common motivation for choosing to encapsulate their placenta was improved mood (34%). The most common reported benefits were improved mood (40%) and increased energy (26%). Overall, 96% of participants reported a positive or very positive experience with their placenta encapsulation.

I personally was so excited to see that such a high number of participants in this study reported a positive experience. This study is on the larger side for placenta studies, but one flaw is that everyone in this study self-selected into placenta encapsulation. In other words, the researchers weren't asking random people off the street to do this. They were recruiting from message boards where people where already invested in consuming their placenta. That said, I think that the rate of improved mood is also pretty compelling in this study. Anecdotally, I have had several clients share that they, too, have experienced an improved mood

Study 2: What is in a Placenta? Levels of Trace Minerals and Elements (including heavy metals)

The researchers tested encapsulated placenta samples for 14 micronutrients and toxic elements and found that the levels for potentially harmful elements (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, uranium) were all well below the established safety thresholds. Based on the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for lactating women, they also found that the recommended daily intake of placenta capsules would provide, on average, 24% RDA for iron, 7.1% RDA for selenium, 1.5% RDA for zinc, and 1.4% RDA for copper.

One of the biggest concerns that clients bring to me is the worry that their placenta may contain harmful levels of heavy metals. Many explain that since the placenta is a filtering organ, they are worried that their placenta will contain harmful elements. This study helps to establish a more clear picture of what is contained in placenta pills - including 24% of the recommended daily amount of iron!

Study 3: Do Placenta Pills Increase Iron Levels? Iron Status

In this study, 23 participants had their iron tested during pregnancy and postpartum. One group took placenta pills and the control took beef pills. Average iron concentrations were significantly higher in the placenta pills as compared to the beef pills, and provided 24% of the daily recommended value of iron. The iron levels in the participants of each group where not statistically significant.

I wish that in this study they had a true placebo, or control. Using beef as the "control" means that those in the control group where also being supplemented with a known iron source. In order to see the effect of placenta pills versus no placenta pills, the control should have been a pill containing brown powder. Despite this flaw, the study does support the idea that placenta pills are a known iron supplement that can have as much of an impact as a known iron source (beef). In my mind, the iron that comes from you theoretically is also more bioavailable to you.

Study 4: Presence and Concentration of 17 Hormones

Researchers tested placenta pills for 17 difference hormones. The results of this study showed detectable concentrations of 16 of the hormones analyzed, some in concentrations that could conceivably yield physiological effects: estradiol, progesterone, and allopregnanolone.

To me, this study is a really big deal! This study indicated that hormones do survive the encapsulation process. Early postpartum, new parents experience a huge hormone drop. This study found potentially therapeutic levels of 3 important hormones. Estradiol, progesterone, and allopregnanolone are all players in treating postpartum depression. Notably, allopregnanolone is found in the only FDA approved drug for treating postpartum depression. This study demonstrates that further research is warranted, especially since the number of placenta samples was limited.

Study 5: Effects of Placentophagy on Saliva Hormone Levels (part 1)

Participants were randomly assigned to consume their encapsulated placenta (12) or a placebo (15). Then, hormone levels were tested in saliva during pregnancy and the immediate postpartum. Researchers found that hormones in encapsulated placenta led to small but significant differences in salivary hormonal profiles of people taking placenta capsules compared to those taking a placebo.

One of the biggest limitations of this study is that the testing did not occur at a consistent time. Hormones stay in the system for about 8 hours, so timing of consumption and testing is crucial. Again, these participants self-selected as all were willing to consume their placenta, and the total size of the study is quite small (27 participants). We also need more testing to determine whether or not the different hormone levels have a therapeutic effect.

Study 6: Effects on Mood, Bonding, and Fatigue (part 2)

This study utilized a series of previously established questionnaires to evaluate fatigue, mood, stress, social support, and bonding. For the most part there were no statistically significant differences. Though statistical significance was not present, researchers did find some evidence of a decrease in depressive symptoms within the placenta group but not the placebo group. They also found reduced fatigue in placenta group participants at the end of the study compared to the placebo group.

Although the results of this study were not conclusive, again I am excited to see that there were some differences in both mood, as measured by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and energy levels, measured by the Fatigue Assessment Scale. This study may indicate that placenta pills had a positive impact on postpartum mood and energy levels. While placenta pills can never replace mental health care, many of my clients with a history of mental health struggles opt to encapsulate their placenta. More research please!!

Study 7: Is Taking Placenta Dangerous for Your Baby? Neonatal Outcomes

The data from this study were collected from over 23,000 medical records of people who had a community birth (home or birth center). They found that 31.2% of people who had a community birth consumed their placenta. The most common reason for consuming their placenta was to avoid postpartum depression (73.1%). They found that consumption of the placenta was not associated with any negative effects for the neonate through the 6-8 week postpartum period of tracking.

Yay! Finally a large study!! This one is a HUGE deal because it shows that in a large data set, with the placenta being prepared both by steaming and the traditional raw method, there were no adverse effects on newborns up to 6-8 weeks postpartum.

Study 8: Does How You Prepare a Placenta Matter? Steamed and Raw Dehydrated Placenta

This study looked at both the components of placentas as well as the microbial profile. Researchers found that typical processing methods reduce both the nutrient levels as well as the microbial levels. The concentrations for arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury were all below the maximum allowed levels for supplements or foodstuffs. Processing the placenta resulted in large reductions of hormone levels. Raw placenta samples had normal vaginal and skin flora. Processing drastically lowered the levels.

The results of this study are so helpful in expanding our understanding of the effects of different processing methods on both hormone and nutrient levels as well as bacteria. While the hormone levels were lowered during processing, we don't know yet if hormones found in placenta are more or less bio-available.

Conclusion

While these studies found a lot of compelling results related to the potential benefits and components of consuming placenta pills, clearly we need more research with larger sample sizes in order to build our understanding and draw further conclusions. Hopefully researchers in the future will be compelled to build on the existing research.

I personally believe that one road block for research is that there is no money to be made by the medical industrial complex. You cannot profit off of someone who uses their own organ to feel better, and we know that pharmaceutical companies prefer people to be on medications long term. Another factor is that each person's placenta grows to support their unique baby and needs, so the effects are hard to standardize. Regardless of these challenges, these studies are a great starting point and hopefully more research will be funded in the future.