{"id":34861,"date":"2013-06-13T09:25:37","date_gmt":"2013-06-13T09:25:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dherbs.com\/uncategorized\/pica\/"},"modified":"2024-03-08T04:33:19","modified_gmt":"2024-03-08T11:33:19","slug":"pica","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dherbs.com\/articles\/featured-articles\/pica\/","title":{"rendered":"PICA"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

PICA is a condition where there is a pattern of consuming non-food materials. It is the result of nutritional deficiency, specifically mineral deficiency. Mineral deficiency is very common nowadays due to our mineral-depleted soils our produce (fruits and vegetables) is grown in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Causes and Risk Factors<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Statistics show that PICA is seen more in young children than adults. Up to 30% of children ages one and six years old can have this abnormal eating behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pregnant women should also know that this condition can also develop during pregnancy due to lack of certain nutrients. In some cases, PICA can result from conditions such as iron deficiency anemia and zinc deficiency, which may trigger the unusual cravings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women and young teenage girls who start consuming dirt or clay shortly before and\/or during their menstrual cycle are attempting to supplement their low iron level in their bodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

PICA is usually indicted by the consumption of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n