Effects of Human Maternal Placentophagy on Maternal Postpartum Iron Status: A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Pilot Study

Abstract

The current study suggests that encapsulated placenta supplementation neither significantly improves nor impairs postpartum maternal iron status for women consuming the RDA of dietary iron during pregnancy and lactation, compared to a beef placebo. This may be an especially important finding for women who are iron deficient postpartum and whose only source of supplemental dietary iron is encapsulated placenta, as this may provide an inadequate source of supplemental iron in cases of deficiency.

Placentophagy among women planning community births in the United States: Frequency, rationale, and associated neonatal outcomes

“…These studies conclude that some micronutrients (e.g., iron) in processed placenta could make modest contributions to recommended daily dietary intakes, 11 while some hormone concentrations (e.g., progesterone) could conceivably reach physiological thresholds, based on the most commonly recommended daily intake of processed placenta (3300 mg). 12 In addition, results of the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the effects of maternal placentophagy on the concentration of a suite of maternal salivary steroid hormones, 13 maternal iron status, 14 and maternal mood, bonding, and fatigue 15 over a 3-week postpartum period have recently been reported. The results of this pilot RCT (N = 27) revealed few, if any, clear benefits (e.g., improved maternal iron status, 14 or maternal mood 15 ) for placentophagic mothers compared with those who took a placebo.…”

“…12 In addition, results of the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the effects of maternal placentophagy on the concentration of a suite of maternal salivary steroid hormones, 13 maternal iron status, 14 and maternal mood, bonding, and fatigue 15 over a 3-week postpartum period have recently been reported. The results of this pilot RCT (N = 27) revealed few, if any, clear benefits (e.g., improved maternal iron status, 14 or maternal mood 15 ) for placentophagic mothers compared with those who took a placebo. There were, however, some time-related differences in maternal mood and fatigue between placenta and placebo groups that may warrant future exploration.…”

A review of prospective registration of trials published in nursing science journals in 2017

“…One author, Gryder et al (, p.69), argued that their “study was designated as exempt from the FDA”s requirements regarding an investigational new drug and trial registration requirements as a controlled clinical investigation'. This does not seem us to be a defendable position.…”

Perplexing perinatal practices

“…However, there is quite a vogue for eating placentas. A common claim is that it improves maternal iron levels, although a randomised controlled trial showed this to be incorrect . Other claimed benefits include improved lactation, greater energy and protection against post‐natal depression.…”

“…A common claim is that it improves maternal iron levels, although a randomised controlled trial showed this to be incorrect. 3 Other claimed benefits include improved lactation, greater energy and protection against post-natal depression. While there is no scientific evidence for these benefits, there may well be at least a placebo benefit for women at risk of post-natal depression.…”