Why do pregnant women eat dirt?

[Woodznutz]

Geophagy, or eating dirt, is a worldwide phenomenon that goes back millennia, mostly by pregnant women. What is puzzling is why they do it as it isn't necessary for health during pregnancy. Thoughts?

Why pregnant women eat dirt

A new book sheds light on "pica" — the overwhelming urge, particularly among pregnant women, to eat nonfood items

theweek.com

 

[1srelluc]

I've seen springtime excavations where in the evening does (pregnant at the time) would lick the disturbed earth. I suspect for the upturned minerals.....Same thing?

 

[OhPleaseJustQuit]

I've seen springtime excavations where in the evening does (pregnant at the time) would lick the disturbed earth. I suspect for the upturned minerals.....Same thing?

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Trace nutritional minerals is very likely.

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[1srelluc]

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Trace nutritional minerals is very likely.

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Maybe give the women a trace mineral block to lick on. Just sit it on the kitchen counter and they can give it a lick while making their man a sandwich.

 

[irosie91]

Geophagy, or eating dirt, is a worldwide phenomenon that goes back millennia, mostly by pregnant women. What is puzzling is why they do it as it isn't necessary for health during pregnancy. Thoughts?

Why pregnant women eat dirt

A new book sheds light on "pica" — the overwhelming urge, particularly among pregnant women, to eat nonfood items

theweek.com

It ain't NEW----PICA (eating non food items---the most common
WORLD WIDE in pregnant women is the eating of "clay"---that's
red earth but also includes eating laundry starch (potato starch)
and paint chips. It is usually associated with Iron deficiency which
is so common in pregnancy that iron supplements are almost
universally prescribed during pregnancy----along with folate.

 

[OhPleaseJustQuit]

Maybe give the women a trace mineral block to lick on. Just sit it on the kitchen counter and they can give it a lick while making their man a sandwich.

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I read an interesting article a long time ago about how most cultures know, intuitively, to dispose of their wood ashes by spreading them in their fields, so those trace minerals make it into their crops. Stuff we have forgotten about.

I wonder if pregnant women know intuitively to choose himalayan pink salt over white salt in their diets, because the pink salt has those trace minerals.

But, yeah, mineral lick sounds appetizing!

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[Woodznutz]

From the article,

"Scientists haven't pinned down an exact reason, writes Young, but it's either a response to mineral deficiencies or an instinctual effort to "protect against harm from toxins and pathogens."

Can we explore the "instinctual effort" more closely, without regard to "protect against harm from toxins and pathogens".

Some of you know where I'm going with this.

 

[Woodznutz]

This is actually a better article on the subject, worth reading.

So what's behind this ancient drive?

"That's the million-dollar question," says Young. "And the most common response is, 'I don't know, I just do.' "

https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2014/04/02/297881388/the-old-and-mysterious-practice-of-eating-dirt-revealed

 

[jackflash]

Geophagy, or eating dirt, is a worldwide phenomenon that goes back millennia, mostly by pregnant women. What is puzzling is why they do it as it isn't necessary for health during pregnancy. Thoughts?

Why pregnant women eat dirt

A new book sheds light on "pica" — the overwhelming urge, particularly among pregnant women, to eat nonfood items

theweek.com

Low on $$$$ & dirt is free for the taking???

 

[irosie91]

Low on $$$$ & dirt is free for the taking???

that too. In Iron deficiency there is a tendency to
a feeling of irritation of the tongue---GLOSSITIS ---
Pregnant women USUALLY have a bit of Iron
deficiency --especially malnourished women.
Probably the chewing on red clay, or laundry starch---
or whatever is a response to the dysesthesia of the tongue

 

[Woodznutz]

Another interesting article.

SOUTHERN PRACTICE OF EATING DIRT SHOWS SIGNS OF WANING (Published 1984)

www.nytimes.com

 

[1srelluc]

If Trump was POTUS you would see this as a Huffington Post headline:

Trump Economy Is So Bad That Pregnant Women Are Forced To Eat Dirt!

 

[Resnic]

Geophagy, or eating dirt, is a worldwide phenomenon that goes back millennia, mostly by pregnant women. What is puzzling is why they do it as it isn't necessary for health during pregnancy. Thoughts?

Why pregnant women eat dirt

A new book sheds light on "pica" — the overwhelming urge, particularly among pregnant women, to eat nonfood items

theweek.com

It's a subconscious desire women have on a biological level to consume something their body is in need of that the baby requires for growth.

Some women have had cravings to eat rocks which is a sign they are lacking some kind of mineral like calcium or zinc in their body that is needed.

Remember, a baby grows 100% by consuming its own mother's body. If a mother is lacking in calcium her body will break down the calcium in her bones to give to the baby.

That's why women get cravings, their body is telling them there is something in those foods it wants to grow the baby but the mother's body is lacking in it.

 

[Woodznutz]

It's a subconscious desire women have on a biological level to consume something their body is in need of that the baby requires for growth.

Some women have had cravings to eat rocks which is a sign they are lacking some kind of mineral like calcium or zinc in their body that is needed.

Remember, a baby grows 100% by consuming its own mother's body. If a mother is lacking in calcium her body will break down the calcium in her bones to give to the baby.

That's why women get cravings, their body is telling them there is something in those foods it wants to grow the baby but the mother's body is lacking in it.

That hasn't been proven scientifically.

 

[Resnic]

That hasn't been proven scientifically.

Well, I never said it was scientifically proven.

I just know what I was told by a pediatric Dr, pediatric nurse that worked in a NICU during my clinicals at childrens hospital, and my pediatrics clinical instructor when I was in nursing school.

And things I read like this.

Pica Cravings During Pregnancy

Pica cravings are not common but they occur enough to not be isolated events. Learn about common and weird cravings, and risks during pregnancy.

americanpregnancy.org

There is also the possibility that it is a psychosis brought on by pregnancy due to chemical and hormonal imbalances women suffer during pregnancy since things like pica are considered a mental disorder among non pregnant people.

But again, I didn't claim what I said to be absolute fact. I merely know what I'd read in medical journals in school and told by medical professionals.

But I get it, you have an need to run around and just tell people they are wrong and run off without adding to the discussion. You do that quite a bit.

 

[Woodznutz]

Well, I never said it was scientifically proven.

I just know what I was told by a pediatric Dr, pediatric nurse that worked in a NICU during my clinicals at childrens hospital, and my pediatrics clinical instructor when I was in nursing school.

And things I read like this.

Pica Cravings During Pregnancy

Pica cravings are not common but they occur enough to not be isolated events. Learn about common and weird cravings, and risks during pregnancy.

americanpregnancy.org

There is also the possibility that it is a psychosis brought on by pregnancy due to chemical and hormonal imbalances women suffer during pregnancy since things like pica are considered a mental disorder among non pregnant people.

But again, I didn't claim what I said to be absolute fact. I merely know what I'd read in medical journals in school and told by medical professionals.

But I get it, you have an need to run around and just tell people they are wrong and run off without adding to the discussion. You do that quite a bit.

I posted several articles on the topic, which include that fact that science doesn't know why women do this. However, the real reason they do it is because God programmed them to do it from the garden of Eden. I have presented this on several occasions. If you missed it, now you know.

 

[SweetSue92]

I posted several articles on the topic, which include that fact that science doesn't know why women do this. However, the real reason they do it is because God programmed them to do it from the garden of Eden. I have presented this on several occasions. If you missed it, now you know.

Oh it appears some women did nutzo wrong so now he's on a bender to prove that Eve is really the serpent and that's why Pica exists.

It's all his private interpretation that he has studied; you wouldn't understand.

Okay, nutzo

 

[Woodznutz]

Oh it appears some women did nutzo wrong so now he's on a bender to prove that Eve is really the serpent and that's why Pica exists.

It's all his private interpretation that he has studied; you wouldn't understand.

Okay, nutzo

Snakes don't eat dirt, women do. Snakes don't deliver their young from a womb in a gush of water (Hebrew: "belly"). The serpent had control of Eve, was in her head. God was speaking to Eve, who was possessed at the moment. Study yer Bible.

 

[SweetSue92]

Snakes don't eat dirt, women do. Snakes don't deliver their young from a womb in a gush of water (Hebrew: "belly"). The serpent had control of Eve, was in her head. God was speaking to Eve, who was possessed at the moment. Study yer Bible.

It's not there.

But go on and hate. Just don't loop God into it.

Do you have a wife? What does she think of all this? God help her.

 

[Woodznutz]

It's not there.

But go on and hate. Just don't loop God into it.

Do you have a wife? What does she think of all this? God help her.

That discourse in Genesis between God, Eve, and the Serpent is a dearly held one for all Christians. Sadly, it never made sense as interpreted. Please do a study on the pivotal Hebrew word "belly". Also, research the diet of snakes, and how they give birth. Inform yourself about "pica". Prepare to be surprised. There's nothing onerous about the real interpretation.

My (ex/late) wife was in tears reading the Bible. "I just don't get it." she lamented. She never did. Most don't.