WASHINGTON, July 19 (UPI) -- Some mothers are turning to an old remedy for postpartum depression -- eating the placenta.
Advocates of placentophagy say that the placenta contains valuable nutrients, USA Today reported Thursday. They point to the large number of mammals that consume the placenta and to its use in traditional Chinese medicine.
Most new mothers who adopt placentophagy consume it dried out in capsules and some mix it with food, USA Today said.
There is anecdotal evidence from women who say they avoided depression they suffered after previous births. But critics told the newspaper there is no proof that eating placenta is helpful.
Mark Kristal, a behavioral neuroscientist at the State University of New York at Buffalo, said his research shows that laboratory animal mothers deprived of placenta don't suffer the mammal equivalent of postpartum depression. In addition, he told the newspaper, cooking or drying out the placenta destroys most of its nutrient value.
Many hospitals also refuse to hand over placenta, saying it is hazardous medical waste, USA Today said.
