Tag: Placenta

Newborn babies are born with critically low levels of vitamin K, largely because, unlike many other nutrients, vitamin K does not cross the placenta easily. This low level puts infants at risk for a serious and potentially life-threatening bleeding disorder known as Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB). The placenta, a complex and essential organ, acts as a barrier that is difficult for this specific nutrient to pass through, even when maternal intake is sufficient.

While the placenta functions as a vital organ for delivering nutrients and oxygen to a fetus during pregnancy, scientific studies have found no proven health benefits for mothers consuming it postpartum. The question, 'Is there any nutritional value in the placenta?' is best answered by separating anecdotal claims from evidence-based research on the topic.

The human body is remarkably efficient, absorbing up to 98% of the protein consumed in the small intestine. This incredible efficiency is dependent on specialized areas of exchange, a principle that extends far beyond human physiology. Nutrient exchange is a fundamental process that occurs in specific locations across all life forms, including the human body, plants, and entire ecosystems.