Stop eating the PLACENTA, mothers are told by medical body

Mothers have been told by a medical body there is no known health benefits from eating their placenta.

The trend has gained popularity recently, as Kim Kardashian and other A-list celebs admitting to consuming the organ.

Advocates claim it can boost iron levels, improve milk supply and eradicate the risk of post-natal depression.

But the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada strongly disagrees, and even said it could be harmful. 

SOGC reviewed the evidence amid a growing trend to eat the placenta either raw, cooked, or in the form of a pill.

Mothers have been warned by a medical body to stop eating their placenta who say there are no known health benefits. Kim Kardashian (pictured in May) said she consumed her placenta in pill form to beat baby blues after reading about the benefits online

Mothers have been warned by a medical body to stop eating their placenta who say there are no known health benefits. Kim Kardashian (pictured in May) said she consumed her placenta in pill form to beat baby blues after reading about the benefits online

Hilary Duff (pictured in April) is one of the most recent celebrities to speak about her placenta eating habits. Advocates claim it can boost iron levels, improve milk supply

Hilary Duff (pictured in April) is one of the most recent celebrities to speak about her placenta eating habits. Advocates claim it can boost iron levels, improve milk supply

They published their warning - based on any studies that meet its standards - in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada.

In it, they wrote: 'Despite the growing trend... there is no documented evidence of benefit for improved iron stores, mood, or lactation.

Dr Jocelynn Cook, chief scientific officer of SOGC, added that currently, 'there is no strong evidence' to suggest eating the placenta has benefits. 

Placentophagy is the practice of eating the organ. It forms during pregnancy to give oxygen and nutrients to the baby through the umbilical cord. 

Mothers are normally allowed to take their placenta home if their intentions are made clear beforehand, but the guidelines may vary from hospital to hospital.

Advice is given on how to transport and store it at home hygienically - in a freezer without any other food - to reduce the possibility of it become infected with bacteria. 

Various online sites describe how to cook and eat the placenta at home after thawing, while encapsulation companies have different protocols for collecting the placenta.

Placenta encapsulation preparations normally involve grinding the placenta down in its raw state or after being steamed and dehydrated. The cost is around £250.  

The origins of the trend are unclear - especially among humans. Mammals have been known to do it but there are only theories as to why. 

Scientists have long suspected that it may be because the animals are protecting their young from predators who smell blood. 

Widely promoted claims to eat placenta are that it raises iron levels, micronutrients and hormones, boosts well-being and mood, and improves lactation.

Coleen Rooney (pictured in August 2017) went one step further and had her placenta made into a face cream in February 2018

Coleen Rooney (pictured in August 2017) went one step further and had her placenta made into a face cream in February 2018 

WHAT OTHER CELEBRITIES HAVE EATEN THEIR PLACENTA? 

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.  

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.  

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. 

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

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