Unfiltered Truth: Is the Placenta Full of Toxins?
As a placenta encapsulation specialist, I spend a lot of time clearing up misinformation and misconceptions. People have all sorts of opinions, from those who are genuinely curious to those who, for whatever reason, are dead set on talking folks out of taking placenta pills. I fully understand that placenta encapsulation isn’t for everyone, but I am absolutely committed to helping people make informed decisions about how to support themselves postpartum.
One common argument that comes up over and over again is this – “The placenta is a filter and full of toxins!”
Often, people think of the placenta as a filter that functions like an HVAC or pool filter. With those types of filters, the nasty stuff is absorbed by the filter and stays there so that the human can dispose of it. But the placenta is a different kind of filter. The placenta doesn’t actually hold on to anything. Instead, it takes the “bad stuff”, and sends it back to mom’s body so that she can dispose of those toxins through her kidneys and bowels.
The placenta acts as a return filter, not a sponge.
The is more akin to the liver, which, if you’re into it, is a considered an extremely healthy organ to consume. The placenta, like the liver, works to filter toxins back to the blood stream for disposal, preventing them from building up and causing illness.
Consider this – if the placenta were to hold onto toxins, would it even be safe for the fetus?
Where’s the research?
People cite concerns that the placenta might hold onto toxins, and therefore be unhealthy for consumption. However, a study out of Jena University in 2017 studied dehydrated placenta samples and found that no toxic levels of heavy metals or bacteria were present in dehydrated placenta. The samples met the stringent EU standards for food safety.
Similarly, breast milk contains trace amounts of toxins, after all, we absorb toxins through our food all the time – but we don’t discourage women from nursing their babies.
Placenta Encapsulation is safe.
Whether it’s your thing or not is not my concern. My concern is that women who choose to consume their placenta in the form of capsules have access to accurate information and safe processing options. There are very few situations in which placenta encapsulation would not be a safe option, and for that reason, as with anything health-related, it's important to choose a professional placenta encapsulation specialist who is informed, trained, and follows food safety and OSHA recommendations.
