Preliminary Research Results

Finally some results are coming in from the crowd funded research project on dehydrated placenta.    Full results will be available at the After Birth Confab which I will be attending.   So keep an eye out for more information when I receive it.    

For now though, I would love to break down the preliminary results and what that means for my clients and how I practice.

To view the results yourself click HERE.

-Toxic elements like lead, mercury and arsenic were found to be under the food safety levels set by the European Union.    (This is a concern that I hear a lot when I’m contacted about encapsulation.  A lot of misinformation is out there, telling expecting mothers that their placenta is a filter and filled with toxins.)

-The way the placenta is prepared has a direct effect on microbial contamination.  Dehydration only causes a drastic germ reduction, steaming followed by dehydration causes an even greater reduction of microbial species. No unsafe organism were found according to European Union food safety regulations.  (I do not steam the placenta.  I use dehydration only.   I feel comfortable continuing that practice.  More on that in the next point.)

-The following hormones were detected in placental tissue: CRH, hPL, Oxytocin, ACTH, estrogenic and gestagenic active substances.  These hormones were highest in raw placenta.   Steaming with dehydration caused the most hormone loss.    Dehydration only caused a minor amount of loss but increase progesterone. (This is exactly why I prepare the placenta the way I do.  This has me so excited.  This validates what I knew all along.      Progesterone is so important in postpartum health and recovery.  Especially if that has been a struggle for you before pregnancy.  I know it was mine and I know that’s why I responded well to dehydrated only encapsulation and not Steamed/Dehydrated.)

– The risk of food poisoning  from consuming processed placental tissue is low.  ( I hope they elaborate on this with their final results. This doesn’t tell me much compared to raw prep.  I no longer recommend raw placenta tissue though unless you are making a smoothie right after birth.  Like minutes after.)

-Placental tissue is a natural source of hormones, iron and protein. The exact properties of placental tissue composition vary wide in each individual placenta. (This makes sense.  We are all so different. I do think our bodies create what we need)

-Ingesting placental hormones may have a physiologic effect in the postpartum period but no conclusion about the bioactivity of these hormones can be made. (I know I felt the difference. Have you?)

I can’t wait to break down the final results!!!