Re: Sonja: Ice-Crunching in Pregnancy! ('s post) PICA

[Guest guest]

Pica

We're back to iron and\or zinc deficiencies as a possible sources for pica (ice

cravings) during pregancy. Test for them both. Pica cravings can be other

things, including dirt and clay.

Causes of Pica

The nutritional theory suggests that appetite-regulating brain enzymes, altered

by an iron or zinc deficiency, trigger specific cravings. Yet, the non- food

items craved usually do not supply the minerals lacking in the person's body.

Evidence supports the hypothesis that at least some pica is a response to

dietary deficiency. Pregnant women, for example, have given up pica after they

were treated for iron-deficiency anemia and/or a zinc deficiency, common

conditions among pregnant women with pica.

If it's not iron, try zinc.

ARomaWithAView@... wrote:

According to the article below, the HORMONAL culprits during pregnancy

causing these GG " Gestational Gingival " =pregnancy gums) changes are. . . high

levels of estrogen and progesterone during the second to the eighth month or so.

http://www.ivillage.co.uk/pregnancyandbaby/pregnancy/concernpreg/qas/0,,11_158

591,00.html