Placentophagia in Tribal and Modern Societies: Navigating the Thin Line Between Risk and Benefit.

Journal of Family and Reproductive Health Pub Date : 2025-09-01 DOI:10.18502/jfrh.v19i3.20053

Manulata, Sakshi Sharma, Shubham

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective: Eating the placenta after birth, or placentophagia, is common in mammals but questionable in humans. There is little scientific evidence to support the claims made by practitioners that it promotes lactation, prevents depression, and aids in postpartum healing.

Materials and methods: This paper reviews the historical background, cultural relevance, ethical considerations, advantages, and potential risks of human placentophagia. The placenta does contain hormones and nutrients, but their efficacy and bioavailability have not been established. Furthermore, safety concerns (such as bacteria and endocrine disturbance) raise doubts about its practice.

Results: Placentophagia is not recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention because the production of human placentophagy products is unregulated and presents potential health risks.

Conclusion: This review considers the benefits or harms of placentophagia on human health, summarizes recent studies, addresses ethical and medical viewpoints, and emphasizes the need for further research.

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部落和现代社会中的噬胎盘症：在风险与收益之间的细线上航行。

目的：出生后吃胎盘，或食胎盘，在哺乳动物中很常见，但在人类中值得怀疑。很少有科学证据支持从业者的说法，即它能促进泌乳，预防抑郁，并有助于产后康复。材料和方法：本文综述了人类食胎盘的历史背景、文化相关性、伦理考虑、优势和潜在风险。胎盘确实含有激素和营养物质，但其功效和生物利用度尚未确定。此外，安全问题（如细菌和内分泌干扰）引起了人们对其做法的怀疑。结果：美国妇产科医师学会和疾病控制与预防中心不建议食用胎盘，因为食用胎盘产品的生产不受监管，存在潜在的健康风险。结论：本文综述了食胎盘对人类健康的利弊，总结了最近的研究成果，阐述了伦理和医学观点，并强调了进一步研究的必要性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Family and Reproductive Health

自引率

0.00%

发文量

审稿时长

5 weeks

期刊介绍： The Journal of Family & Reproductive Health (JFRH) is the quarterly official journal of Vali–e–Asr Reproductive Health Research Center. This journal features fulllength, peerreviewed papers reporting original research, clinical case histories, review articles, as well as opinions and debates on topical issues. Papers published cover the scientific and medical aspects of reproductive physiology and pathology including genetics, endocrinology, andrology, embryology, gynecologic urology, fetomaternal medicine, oncology, infectious disease, public health, nutrition, surgery, menopause, family planning, infertility, psychiatry–psychology, demographic modeling, perinatalogy–neonatolgy ethics and social issues, and pharmacotherapy. A high scientific and editorial standard is maintained throughout the journal along with a regular rate of publication. All published articles will become the property of the JFRH. The editor and publisher accept no responsibility for the statements expressed by the authors here in. Also they do not guarantee, warrant or endorse any product or service advertised in the journal.