While working on a presentation about hunger related disorders, I came across a term I had never heard before: Pica. Curious, I looked it up, expecting to find just another eating disorder. Instead, I discovered a fascinating condition that researchers are still trying to fully understand
Pica is a condition characterized by the persistent urge to eat substances that are not food, such as chalk, clay, paper, soil, soap, ice or even metal in worst cases. Although it is more common in children and pregnant women, it can affect people of all ages.
What makes pica particularly intriguing is that there is no single explanation for why it occurs.In some cases, pica is linked to nutritional deficiencies like iron or zinc deficiency, while in others it is associated with developmental or mental health conditions.Rather than having a single cause, pica may be the result of a complex interaction between the body and the brain.
Consuming non-food items can lead to serious health complications, including poisoning, infections, digestive problems and intestinal blockages which make Pica a potentially dangerous condition.Doctors have observed that medications for obsessive-compulsive disorder have helped in eliminating symptoms of Pica.
How do nutrient deficiencies shape our cravings and eating behavior?
