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Geophagy is an ancient widespread practice that is common amongst women of childbearing age globally. Geophagy is one of the leading causes of iron deficiency and pregnancy complications amongst women of childbearing age resulting in maternal, neonatal, and child morbidities and mortalities globally. The concept of geophagy has yet to be incorporated in the reproductive health services in the healthcare facilities. A qualitative study was conducted using focus group discussions and in-depth interviews to explore the views/perspectives of nurses regarding geophagic women of childbearing age accessing healthcare in the reproductive healthcare services in Tshwane District, Gauteng Province. The findings revealed that nurses perceived geophagic women of childbearing age to be iron deficient and lack proper knowledge and understanding of the potential health risks and dangers of soil eating. Mental health and substance use disorders, food and nutrition deficiencies, absence of geophagy health education, and promotion programs were highlighted as some of the aspects that play a role towards the practice of geophagy amongst women of childbearing age accessing healthcare in Tshwane District, Gauteng Province. Thus, a conclusion can be made that geophagy health education and promotion programs in the antenatal care units must be prioritized by government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geophagy is an ancient widespread practice that is common amongst women of childbearing age globally. Geophagy is one of the leading causes of iron deficiency and pregnancy complications amongst women of childbearing age resulting in maternal, neonatal, and child morbidities and mortalities globally. The concept of geophagy has yet to be incorporated in the reproductive health services in the healthcare facilities. A qualitative study was conducted using focus group discussions and in-depth interviews to explore the views/perspectives of nurses regarding geophagic women of childbearing age accessing healthcare in the reproductive healthcare services in Tshwane District, Gauteng Province. The findings revealed that nurses perceived geophagic women of childbearing age to be iron deficient and lack proper knowledge and understanding of the potential health risks and dangers of soil eating. Mental health and substance use disorders, food and nutrition deficiencies, absence of geophagy health education, and promotion programs were highlighted as some of the aspects that play a role towards the practice of geophagy amongst women of childbearing age accessing healthcare in Tshwane District, Gauteng Province. Thus, a conclusion can be made that geophagy health education and promotion programs in the antenatal care units must be prioritized by government.

The practise of geophagy is common amongst women of childbearing age from different geographic locations, including South Africa, regardless of their social and economic status such as their level of education, race, marital status, income or occupation. This study aimed to examine the women of childbearing age in Tshwane District, Gauteng Province, South Africa. An experimental study was conducted at the laboratory to examine the chemical composition of clay soil ingested by geophagic women of childbearing age. Thirty-nine clay soil samples were collected from study participants attending antenatal care services and family planning at public healthcare facilities of Tshwane District, Gauteng Province, and subjected to geochemical analysis. The concentrations of vanadium, manganese, chromium, and barium were detected in quantities exceeding 100 mg/kg in almost all samples. Cadmium, mercury and silver were detected in low concentrations below 1 mg/kg in all samples. The practice of geophagy amongst women of childbearing age has been reported to be associated with detrimental health outcomes and risks such as iron deficiency anaemia, constipation, shortness of breath, maternal and childhood mortalities and morbidities, neurological and central nervous system disorder, death, appendicitis, cancers, teratogenic risks, and ulcers. The chemical composition of clay soil eaten by geophagic women of childbearing age contains potentially harmful substances, thus the practise of geophagy is toxic and should be discouraged to protect public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reason for the consumption of rocks (kudurits) by wild animals has not yet been identified. One of the hypotheses of geophagy is a microbiological factor, i.e. rocks can be a source of microorganisms useful for wild animals. In this work, the composition of cultured microorganisms of kudurits of Primorsky Krai and the Altai Republic, as well as some physiological and biochemical properties of the isolated bacteria were studied using molecular genetic analysis of the 16S RNA gene. It has been shown that the studied breeds contain a high amount of physiological groups of bacteria (saprophytic, ammonifying, nitrifying, silicate, hydrolytic) and yeasts (106-109 cells/ml) useful for animals. Among the isolated culturable microorganisms in the curls of Primorsky Krai, representatives of the genus Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Rhodotorula, Paenibacillus, and Stenotrophomonas predominated. The bacteria of the genus Bacillus, Chryseobacterium, and Streptomyces dominated in the edible soils of Altai. Among the isolates, non-pigmented, motile (35–70 %) catalase-positive (86–91 %) and oxidase-negative (68–76 %) rods (67–90 %) predominated. All cultures were characterized by a high level of extracellular enzymatic activity, especially in relation to such substrates as casein (57–75 %), starch (57–60 %), urea (43–45 %). The isolated microorganisms are able to develop in a wide range of temperatures (5–50 °C), pH (5−12), NaCl concentration (1–18 %) and utilize a wide range of carbohydrates and alcohols. It has been established that the microorganisms and biologically active compounds they produce can be a factor that encourages animals to instinctively consume rocks. High antibiotic activity of the isolated cultures has been noted against opportunistic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus and phytopathogenic fungi Fusarium oxysporum.

Abstract Evidence suggests that soil microorganisms, to which humans have been exposed throughout our evolutionary history, were essential for the evolution of the human gut microbiome and immunological resilience. In recent decades, gut microbial diversity has decreased along with urbanization and global loss of biodiversity. At the same time, the prevalence of chronic, non‐communicable inflammatory diseases has been increasing in urbanized societies. Here, we investigate whether the existing literature supports the hypothesis that ingesting soil microbiota provides immunological resilience. We focus on identifying research gaps and challenges that must be overcome to understand the effects of eating soil on immunological resilience. A scoping review of the peer‐reviewed empirical literature was carried out. The search focused on studies that exposed mammals to direct soil contact and measured the gut microbiota and host response; 12 articles, including four human, six mouse and two other mammal studies, were identified for inclusion in the review. In addition, seven articles related to human health risks associated with soil consumption were included in the review. Studies indicate that ingesting soil‐bound microorganisms supports immunological resilience. There is a lack of intervention studies that include human study subjects that test orally the effect of soil microorganisms on the gut microbiota and immunological resilience. Challenges, particularly soil heterogeneity and risks related to soil biological and chemical properties, have prevented progress to fully understand the effect of oral intake of soil‐bound microorganisms on human gut microbiota and health. The results encourage the development of technologies that allow daily exposure to soil microbiota. Future research should be aimed to precisely test the importance of oral intake of soil‐bound microorganisms in gut microbial homeostasis and immunological resilience. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Calabash chalk (CaC) is an aluminium silicate hydroxide compound with heavy metal constituents, making it a potential neurotoxicant. Pregnant women often consume CaC as an antiemetic, which may interfere with the normal development of the foetal brain. Here, we evaluated the effects of CaC administration in pregnant rats on the brain of the offspring. Wistar rat dams were assigned to one of three groups: control, 200 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg of a CaC suspension. Administrations lasted 14 days (gestation days 7–20). On day 14, 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) was administered and dams were allowed to term. Behavioural tests were performed on different days as the pups matured, and they were sacrificed on post-natal days 30 and 60. Brains were processed for histology and Western blotting. Results showed no significant differences in surface righting reflex, cliff avoidance, negative geotaxis and open-field activity. No hippocampal and somatosensory cortical cytoarchitectonic alterations and no significant signs of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) activation were observed. Neuronal nuclei counts showed variability in the somatosensory cortex and hippocampus of the CaC group. BrdU-positive cells were significantly lower in the 200 mg/kg group and higher in the 800 mg/kg group. Doublecortin-X-positive cells were not different in all the CaC groups. Astrocytes and microglia Western blotting quantification confirmed no significant increase in pup glial cells in adulthood. Prenatal consumption of CaC at indicated dosages may not be deleterious to the developing brain, especially after cessation of exposure and during maturation of the animal. However, the differences in neuronal and glial populations may be due to their ability to cope with CaC.

Geophagy or Pica is the unintentional traditional behavior of eating soil by indigenous people in different countries. practiced in many countries due to nausea among pregnant women and mineral deficiencies without knowing the associated health risks. In this study the mineral composition of geophagic soil and its associated health risk among consumers was determined. Dry soil sticks consumed by women were obtained from open markets in Morogoro, Njombe and Mwanza regions in Tanzania. The elemental concentration of geophagic soil was analyzed using Flame Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer. Health risk assessment methods were used to obtain health information after chronic exposure to geophagic soils. The tests used were Target Hazard Quotients (THQ), Total Target Hazard Quotients (TTHQ) and Cancer Risks (CR). The concentration range of metals in samples obtained from three different regions were 16,335.7–47,773.7 mg/kg for Fe, 46.2–1073.5 mg/kg for Ca, 155.3–514.9 mg/kg for K, 44.5–112.4 mg/kg for Zn, 40.7–95.1 mg/kg for Na, 2.4–66.7 mg/kg for Cu, 109.5–572.6 mg/kg for Mn, 3.8–6.85 mg/kg for Pb, 3.1–93 mg/kg for Ni, 62.7–638.6 mg/kg for Cr and 0.4 mg/kg for Cd. The Provisional Daily Intake (PDI), THQ, TTHQ and CR ranged between 3.0 × 10−3 –34.12 mg/kg/day bw, 0.043–48.75, 34.52–77.36 and 2.55×10−5- 0.23 respectively. The TTHQ>1 was evident for metals in all sampling sites which is indicative of non-carcinogenic health effects. Prolonged exposure to Pb at low concentrations in samples from all the sites can cause pathological effects. The cancer risk values for Pb, Ni, Cr and Cd were

A crucial aspect of successful conservation strategies is the identification of critical aspects of local habitats required for species preservation in a given region, such as salt licks. Tangkahan is adjacent to the Gunung Leuser National Park in North Sumatra, Indonesia. The park collaborates with the Indonesia Conservation Response Unit using captive Sumatran Elephants Elephas maximus sumatranus for forest patrols, mitigation of human-elephant negative interactions, public education, and ecotourism in the area. An initial study on the daily activities of captive Sumatran Elephants revealed their search for salt licks, which are essential for maintaining their optimal daily sodium intake. Information on salt licks in Tangkahan is limited and deserves further investigation. Ethical clearance is deemed unnecessary, as the research employs a non-invasive approach, exclusively observing the natural behaviors, and daily activities of elephants. The well-being of the elephants takes precedence over invasive technologies, with continuous monitoring ensuring their care throughout the research process. The study utilizes a descriptive-analytic methodology, tracking the daily movements of Sumatran Elephants to identify the locations of salt licks in the area. Four salt licks--Encepan-1, Encepan-2, Namo Cencen, and Hot Spring--were identified by participating in the elephants' territorial exploration. Although the salt licks were located adjacently, Encepan-1 was most frequently visited by the elephants. The salt licks were characterized as waterholes containing Na+ (Sodium ion) rich waters from springs. However, according to the atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) method, the sodium concentration in these salt licks ranged 34-55 ppm, which is estimated to be insufficient for the physiological requirements of the elephants. Therefore, further investigations are needed to explore other complementary salt licks and the incidence of geophagy to support the mineral needs of Sumatran Elephants in the Tangkahan region. A crucial aspect of successful conservation strategies is the identification of critical aspects of local habitats required for species preservation in a given region, such as salt licks. Tangkahan is adjacent to the Gunung Leuser National Park in North Sumatra, Indonesia. The park collaborates with the Indonesia Conservation Response Unit using captive Sumatran Elephants Elephas maximus sumatranus for forest patrols, mitigation of human-elephant negative interactions, public education, and ecotourism in the area. An initial study on the daily activities of captive Sumatran Elephants revealed their search for salt licks, which are essential for maintaining their optimal daily sodium intake. Information on salt licks in Tangkahan is limited and deserves further investigation. Ethical clearance is deemed unnecessary, as the research employs a non-invasive approach, exclusively observing the natural behaviors, and daily activities of elephants. The well-being of the elephants takes precedence over invasive technologies, with continuous monitoring ensuring their care throughout the research process. The study utilizes a descriptive-analytic methodology, tracking the daily movements of Sumatran Elephants to identify the locations of salt licks in the area. Four salt licks--Encepan-1, Encepan-2, Namo Cencen, and Hot Spring--were identified by participating in the elephants' territorial exploration. Although the salt licks were located adjacently, Encepan-1 was most frequently visited by the elephants. The salt licks were characterized as waterholes containing Na+ (Sodium ion) rich waters from springs. However, according to the atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) method, the sodium concentration in these salt licks ranged 34-55 ppm, which is estimated to be insufficient for the physiological requirements of the elephants. Therefore, further investigations are needed to explore other complementary salt licks and the incidence of geophagy to support the mineral needs of Sumatran Elephants in the Tangkahan region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several places were discovered in the mountains of the Kodar Ridge in Transbaikalia that are regularly visited by snow sheep (Ovis nivicola) for the purpose of consuming coal (Chepa Formation, Jurassic). It was registered by trap cameras that an adult ram eats from tens to hundreds of grams of coal gruss and dust at one time. The "eatable" coals were studied comprehensively, including their geochemistry. The content and balance of mobile forms of trace elements, including rare earth elements (REEs), were determined. It has been established that the sum of REEs in coal varies from 0.19 to 0.27 kg/t, which is 3.5–4 times higher than the clarke value. Elements of the light subgroup (LREEs) predominate in the REE composition. Monazite, xenotime, and rhabdophane were revealed in the consumed coals by analytical scanning electron microscopy. Acid (HCl, pH-1) extract showed that among the elements released from the coal, only a few trace elements, including LREEs, are likely to be significant to the animals. The data that we obtained from the previous landscape-geochemical studies in the areas of mass geophagy in Sikhote-Alin and Gorny Altai and on Olkhon Island (Baikal) suggest that snow sheep on the Kodar Ridge regularly consume coal due to the intention of the animals to restore a disturbed REE balance in the body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Context: Calabash chalk is also known as poto in English. It is a naturally occurring mineral and is chiefly composed of fossilized seashells as constituent. It is traditionally consumed by communities for pleasure and also constitutes major remedy for morning sickness in pregnancy. Objective: This study is aimed at determining the effect of calabash chalk on the body weight and epididymis of adult male Wistar rats. Materials and method: Twenty (20) rats weighing between 180 and 200g were divided into four groups and five rats were assigned to each (A-D). Group A served as control, animals in this group were given rats feed and water only. Group B animals were administered 100mg/kg of dissolved calabash chalk daily. Group C animals were administered 200mg/kg of dissolved calabash chalk. Group D animals were administered 400mg/kg of dissolved calabash chalk. All experimental animals were allowed free access to regular feed and water and were sacrificed on the 56th day of research. Epididymal tissues were harvested for assessment of sperm parameters and histological processing. Results: The results show no statistical significant differences (P>0.05) in the sperm parameters across all groups. Also, there were no significant changes in the contents and histoarchitecture of the epididymes of the treatment groups when compared with the control group. Conclusion: We could conclude that Calabash Chalk has no deleterious effects on the sperm quality and histoarchitecture of the epididymis of adult Wistar rats.

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This study explored African migrant women's clay ingestion experiences during pregnancy against a backdrop of health risks warnings in order, to inform public health interventions by the UK Food Standards Agency and Public Health England, now known as the UK Health Security Agency. An interpretative phenomenological approach (IPA) was utilized, and data were collected with a total of 30 participants through individual in-depth interviews and one focus group discussion. Findings showed clay ingestion is a fluid and widely accepted cultural practice among African communities with most participants having been socialized into ingestion during childhood, through family influences and current social networks in their adulthood. Vomiting, nausea, spitting, appetite challenges, and cravings were cited as the main reasons for clay ingestion during pregnancy. With strong claims regarding its effectiveness, clay was ingested every day by most participants, and at times in large quantities despite the potential health risks. This calls for innovative and culturally sensitive public health interventions starting with the inclusion of clay ingestion health risk messages in maternal health nutrition information within antenatal settings. This can be done as part of multilevel interventions informed by life course approaches, which also consider community health messages and an enabling regulatory policy framework focusing on clay sold for human ingestion.

Relevance. The need to study the elemental composition of the organism of wild and domestic animals in natural environments with different levels of chemical elements. Aim. To reveal features of the elemental composition of the organism of the Altai red deer (Cervus elaphus sibiricus Severtzov, 1873), wild boar (Sus scrofa scrofa Linnaeus, 1758) and domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus Erxleben, 1777) in Ongudai district, Altai Republic, including the area with signs of active geophagy. Objects. Organs and tissues of wild and domestic animals. Methods. Mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma; atomic-emission spectrometry; ion chromatography, analytical electron microscope with energy dispersion spectrometer. Results. The median values of chemical elements concentrations in the organisms of the Altai red deer, the wild boar and the domestic pig have been determined. S, Cl and K showed the highest values in the composition of macroelements and La, Ce, Nd and Th among rare-earth and radioactive elements. Among the elemental composition features of the studied animals, an increased accumulation of Hg and Pb in the Altai red deer; metals of the Fe-group, W, as well as rare-earth and radioactive elements – in the boar; platinoids – in the domestic pig. In comparison with the results of previous studies, increased concentrations of Hg in red deer kidneys, W in boar bronchi and Pb in the brain of domestic pigs were recorded. Assumptions were made about the factors influencing the formation of the elemental composition of the body of animals. For red deer and wild boar these are the factors of nutrition (including geophagy) and features of accumulation of elements in bone tissue; for domestic pigs – features of forage and local metallogeny, including composition of natural waters.

The practise of geophagy is common amongst women of childbearing age from different geographic locations, including South Africa, regardless of their social and economic status such as their level of education, race, marital status, income or occupation. This study aimed to examine the women of childbearing age in Tshwane District, Gauteng Province, South Africa. An experimental study was conducted at the laboratory to examine the chemical composition of clay soil ingested by geophagic women of childbearing age. Thirty-nine clay soil samples were collected from study participants attending antenatal care services and family planning at public healthcare facilities of Tshwane District, Gauteng Province, and subjected to geochemical analysis. The concentrations of vanadium, manganese, chromium, and barium were detected in quantities exceeding 100 mg/kg in almost all samples. Cadmium, mercury and silver were detected in low concentrations below 1 mg/kg in all samples. The practice of geophagy amongst women of childbearing age has been reported to be associated with detrimental health outcomes and risks such as iron deficiency anaemia, constipation, shortness of breath, maternal and childhood mortalities and morbidities, neurological and central nervous system disorder, death, appendicitis, cancers, teratogenic risks, and ulcers. The chemical composition of clay soil eaten by geophagic women of childbearing age contains potentially harmful substances, thus the practise of geophagy is toxic and should be discouraged to protect public health.

Aim: Terrestrial deposition of aerosol marine sodium declines with distance from coastlines. Salt deprivation in vertebrate herbivores and salt-seeking behaviours should hence increase with distance inland. We analyse published geospatial data on ungulate-patronized salt licks to test whether they are non-randomly distributed relative to distance from oceans and elevation. Location: Canada, Alaska and the contiguous United States. Taxon: Cetartiodactyla (even-toed ungulates). Methods: We determined the land area and median elevation of 100 km increments from the North American coast. The null model of the expected number of licks within each interval was determined by the ratio of the interval's land area to the total land area, multiplied by the total number of licks. We asked whether the number of licks further from coastlines was significantly higher than chance. We also assessed whether licks occur disproportionately at higher elevations, comparing the median elevation of observed licks to the median elevation within each interval. Results: We found a strong positive relationship between salt lick patronage by ungulates and distance from the coast. Licks occurred significantly less often within, and more often beyond, 500 km inland, and at significantly higher elevations than would be expected by chance. Main conclusions: These findings indicate that the patronage of salt licks is constrained geographically, and that the foraging behaviour of ungulates and other phytophagous vertebrate taxa may be influenced over large spatial scales by sodium availability. Salt-seeking behaviour varies on a wide biogeographical scale across North America, with concomitant implications for vertebrate herbivore behaviour and ecology.

Mineral licks are key ecological components of the Amazon rainforest, providing critical dietary functions for herbivorous and frugivorous mammals and birds, which help maintain the structure and function of the forest itself through seed and nutrient dispersal. One of the most frequent visitors of interior forest mineral licks in the Amazon is the red brocket deer (Mazama americana), a large‐bodied ruminant frugivore and seed predator. While several hypotheses for the drivers of geophagy exist, including mineral supplementation, toxin adsorption, and habitat selection, robust data on geophagy for the red brocket deer for large numbers of mineral licks is nonexistent. We used soil data from 83 mineral licks in conjunction with camera trap data from 52 of those mineral licks and a mixed‐effects modeling approach to test the three proposed hypotheses of geophagy for the red brocket deer. We found that consumed soils at mineral licks had elevated concentrations of almost all major and minor biologically active minerals measured, including Ca, Na, Mg, K, Cu, Zn, and Mn. Model results suggest that all three hypotheses hold true to some extent for the red brocket deer, with the greatest support for the mineral supplementation hypothesis, in particular with respect to Mg, Ca, Na, Cu, and Zn. This study provides critical information on the feeding ecology of the red brocket deer in the wild, and the first robust analysis of geophagy of an Amazonian mammal involving a large sample size of interior forest mineral licks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In certain Amazonian regions, 25% of hunting occurs at salt licks, sites rich in natural minerals often near creeks prone to periodic flooding. Here, animals engage in geophagy for mineral supplementation and detoxification what enables local hunter to observe their behaviour while waiting their target. Our study evaluates seasonal salt lick availability and wildlife usage, using interviews and obtained information on 31 vertebrate species across 56 natural salt licks in the Central Amazon. While soil and water consumption attract wildlife, species also visit for bathing, predation, and other behaviors. In general, the season with the highest wild species abundance was the receding floodwaters season, because the creeks' water level decreases and so the salt lick is exposed. Conversely, during the flood pulse, interviewees perceived that the majority of salt licks are not visited by most species because they are often covered by water. Most of the interviewees (74,46%) said that salt licks are one of the main places where they hunt, however the hunting at salt licks is only done during the receding floodwaters season. Our findings shed light on the ecological significance of salt licks in Amazonia and their role in supporting diverse wildlife communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clay and clay composites have been used for numerous applications around the world, for example, as construction materials, cosmetics, and absorbents. Since clay is easy to find, abundant, and sustainable, understanding its quality is crucial. This study focuses on the characterization of geophagic clay samples from various locations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to investigate their potential uses in various sectors. Geophagic clays have different colors, morphologies, and properties. Many characterizations were carried out including X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. Microstructure and chemical analyses were carried out using scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). UV–Vis spectroscopy was also carried out to investigate reflectance. XRD revealed the presence of muscovite, kaolinite, illite, and quartz. On the other hand, XRF showed the presence of SiO2, Al2O3, TiO2, and Fe2O3 as major chemical compounds. A flake-like surface morphology was observed in all samples and the EDS analyses exhibited similar results to the XRF. The XRF, XRD, and EDS results were in agreement. The zeta potential was negative for all the clay samples. The properties exhibited by the selected geophagic clay were compared with the properties of various samples used for different applications. It was concluded that the selected geophagic clays demonstrated properties that could lead to their use in water and wastewater treatments and other applications, including as a sunblock (cosmetic industry) due to their mineralogical/chemical composition and UV–Vis reflectance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Geophagy, the consumption of clay or similar substances, is known as an evolved behavior that protects vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women and children, against gastrointestinal injury. However, perplexing questions remain, like the presence of geophagy in the absence of overt gastrointestinal infection and the potential causal relationship between geophagy and iron deficiency anemia. In this review, we hypothesize that geophagy is an inflammation‐mediated sickness behavior regulated via the vagus nerve. We further hypothesize that the gut microbiome plays a critical role in mediating the relationship between inflammation and geophagy. By including inflammation and the microbiome within the existing protection hypothesis, we can explain how subclinical gastrointestinal states induce geophagy. Furthermore, we can explain how gastrointestinal inflammation is responsible for both geophagy and iron‐deficiency anemia, explaining why the two phenomena frequently co‐occur. Ultimately, defining geophagy as a sickness behavior allows us to integrate the gut‐brain axis into geophagy research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plain English summary We conducted this study from July to September 2022 to estimate the rate of adolescents who would eat non-food items (pica) in Sudan. We gathered sociodemographic characteristics through a questionnaire. Of the 384 enrolled adolescents, 180 (46.9%) were male and 204 (53.1%) were female. We found that 118 (30.7%) adolescents would eat non-food items (pica) and that the most common type was eating clay and sand (102 adolescents, 86.4%), followed by eating ice (14 adolescents, 11.8%) and flour (starch; 2 adolescents, 1.6%). Females and those with a lower level of father’s education were likely to eat non-food items.

The relevance of this research is based on systematic study of the causes of geophagy from the viewpoint of the rare-earth hypothesis. It follows from the original results of comprehensive geological–hydrobiogeochemical studies carried out on Olkhon Island (Lake Baikal) that the phenomenon of geophagy in wild and domestic ungulates is due to a deficiency of light rare-earth elements (LREEs) in plant foods and natural waters. This deficiency is related to a low LREE concentration in the composition of the most common metamorphic terrigenous–carbonate rocks, talus, and soils in the island. This geochemical specificity of landscapes can be the cause of LREE imbalance in the hormonal system of the body. The hormonal stress makes animals consume regularly and periodically kaolinite clays of weathering rocks enriched in the necessary elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geophagy has been documented in different animal taxa including Aves and particularly in Passeriformes. However, no geophagic activity has been reported in the genus Turdoides of the family Leiothrichidae belonging to the passerine order. Studies reveal the behaviour of geophagy to be aiding in nutrient supplementation, toxin neutralisation, cytoprotection, gut pH stabilisation and parasite liberation. Here, we provide a record of geophagy in Jungle Babbler Turdoides striata in a peri-urban area of Berhampur city in India. Although this species, being insectivorous, was thought to be feeding on insects, nevertheless, close observations confirmed the activity to be a case of geophagy, which was followed up by nest-building, egg-laying and hatching. The soil samples from the geophagic sites (Ca = 2415 mg/kg) contained 130% more Ca than that of the non-geophagic sites (Ca = 1050 mg/kg). The biochemical requirement of calcium throughout the reproductive phase of Turdoides sp. may corroborate the soil consumption instinct, which was also extrapolated from the reproductive success observed, because the demand for calcium in birds remains high during the egg-laying time. Although the possible explanations for geophagy, reported for the first time in this species, were oriented specifically towards Ca supplement, the present findings provide impetus for furthering research in this domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the novel results of comprehensive geological–hydrobiogeochemical studies conducted on Olkhon Island (Lake Baikal), it follows that the phenomenon of geophagy among wild and domestic ungulates on the island is caused by the deficiency of light subgroup rare earth elements (LREE) in plant food and natural waters, while not denying the possible role of other factors. This deficiency reflects the low LREE specificity of the most abundant metamorphic terrigenous carbonate rocks on the island, as well as their overlying eluvium–deluvium and soils. The resulting specificity of the landscapes may be the cause of the LREE imbalance in the nervous and hormonal systems of the body, which makes the animals regularly and periodically consume clay (kaolinite) products from weathering, enriched with the necessary nutritional elements. The identified cause of geophagy on Olkhon Island is likely to extend to a significant part of geophagy cases among animals, including humans, especially in the equatorial zone of the Earth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mineral licks, sites where animals go to consume soil, are key resources for herbivorous birds and mammals in the Amazon, providing supplemental dietary nutrients and toxin adsorption functions. However, because they are often difficult to find, the properties of mineral licks are poorly understood. Here, we undertake the largest survey of Amazonian mineral licks to date to determine the landscape, physical, and chemical properties of these critical sites. We used a generalized linear mixed-effects modeling framework to assess how soil samples from 83 mineral licks differ from nearby control soils in a series of physical and chemical characteristics, then used Jaccard's index of similarity and a principal component analysis (PCA) to determine how those samples differed among themselves. We found that mineral licks were generally located in specific ranges of landscape variables. Soils from mineral licks had elevated concentrations of almost all minerals measured. There was very little similarity between consumed and control samples, and within each sample type. We suggest that these mineral licks have the potential to provide multiple services to visiting species, demonstrating their ecological importance. The high levels of dissimilarity between samples indicate that a large sample of mineral licks is needed to draw conclusions in studies pertaining to geophagy. We emphasize that studying mammal and bird visitation at these sites could provide critical conservation and physiological information on cryptic and understudied species of Amazonian herbivores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pica, the craving and purposeful consumption of nonfoods, is poorly understood. We described the prevalence of pica among women on Mfangano Island, Kenya, and examined sociodemographic and health correlates. Methods: Our cross-sectional study included 299 pregnant or postpartum women in 2012. We used a 24-h recall to assess pica, defined as consumption of earth (geophagy), charcoal/ash, or raw starches (amylophagy) and built multivariable logistic regression models to examine sociodemographic and health correlates of pica. Results: Eighty-one women (27.1%) engaged in pica in the previous 24 h, with 59.3% reporting amylophagy and 56.8% reporting geophagy, charcoal, and/or ash consumption. The most common substances consumed were raw cassava (n = 30, 36.6%), odowa, a chalky, soft rock-like earth (n = 21, 25.6%), and soil (n = 17, 20.7%). Geophagy, charcoal, and/or ash consumption was negatively associated with breastfeeding (OR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.18-0.81), and amylophagy was associated with pregnancy (OR = 4.31, 95% CI: 1.24-14.96). Pica was more common within one of six study regions (OR = 3.64, 95% CI: 1.39-9.51). We found no evidence of an association between food insecurity and pica. Conclusion: Pica was a common behavior among women, and the prevalence underscores the need to uncover its dietary, environmental, and cultural etiologies.

In the altiplano zone of Latin America, "Chacco" is one of the clays widely consumed as part of geophagy. The objectives of the study were to chemically characterize "Chacco", determine the zero charge point, evaluate the release of aluminum in vitro, perform the kinetic study and evaluate the health risk. The results by ICP-OES showed that the elements with the highest concentration were Al, Ba, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Si, Sr, Ti and Zn. ATR-FTIR analysis showed the presence of Si-O (693 and 990 cm−1), Al-O (790 cm−1), Al-Al-OH bending vibration (912 cm−1), Si-H bond stretching (2100 to 2500 cm−1) and free -OH groups (3629 cm−1). SEM-EDX results indicate that Al is one of the main constituents of "Chacco" (7.35 wt%). The pHzpc of "Chacco" was 6.83. In the dissolution profiles, the highest Al release occurred at pH 6.8 and in intestinal juice simulated with pseudo-second order dissolution kinetics. The EDIAl and EWIAl were 20.24 and 142.66 respectively, comparing EWIAl with the PTWI established by JECFA (2 mg/kg bw), it is concluded that the weekly intake of "Chacco" represents an appreciable health risk. There are no reports of the carcinogenic factor of Al, so TRAl was not calculated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pica, the craving for and purposive eating of non-food items, is a common worldwide problem, especially among children and pregnant women. There are few published data on pica among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa, and no study has been carried- out in Sudan. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and associated factors of symptoms of pica among adolescent schoolchildren in northern Sudan. Methods: A school‑based cross‑sectional study was conducted from July to September 2022 among adolescent students (aged 10–19 years) in four public primary and secondary schools in Almatamah locality in north Sudan. Sociodemographic information (age, sex, mother's education, mother's occupation, and father's education) was collected through a questionnaire. Weight and height were measured using a standard procedure, and the body mass index Z-score was computed using the World Health Organization's reference values. Logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: Of the 384 enrolled adolescents, 180 (46.9%) were male and 204 (53.1%) were female. Their median (interquartile range) age was 15.1 (13.1‒16.3) years. The prevalence of symptoms of pica was found to be 30.7%, accounting for 118 adolescents. The most common type of pica was geophagia (eating clay and sand; 102 adolescents, 86.4%), followed by pagophagia (eating ice; 14 adolescents, 11.8%) and flour (starch; two adolescents, 1.6%). In the logistic regression analysis, females (adjusted odds ratio = 3.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.15‒5.78) and a lower level of father's education (adjusted odds ratio = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.26‒3.34) were associated with symptoms of pica. Conclusion: In Sudan, symptoms of pica are common among adolescents, especially females. Caregivers need to assess pica in adolescents. Further research is needed to develop guidelines, medical training, and practice. Plain English summary: We conducted this study from July to September 2022 to estimate the rate of adolescents who would eat non-food items (pica) in Sudan. We gathered sociodemographic characteristics through a questionnaire. Of the 384 enrolled adolescents, 180 (46.9%) were male and 204 (53.1%) were female. We found that 118 (30.7%) adolescents would eat non-food items (pica) and that the most common type was eating clay and sand (102 adolescents, 86.4%), followed by eating ice (14 adolescents, 11.8%) and flour (starch; 2 adolescents, 1.6%). Females and those with a lower level of father's education were likely to eat non-food items. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large quantities of chlordecone-based insecticides were produced and used throughout the world. One of its most important uses was to control the damage caused by Cosmopolites sordidus in banana-growing regions. In the islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe, 18,000 ha of farmland are potentially contaminated. Despite the key role played by soil macrofauna in agroecosystems, there are currently no data on their contamination. The aim of this study was to explore the fate of chlordecone (CLD) and its transfer to different organisms of the soil food web. Seven species of invertebrates representing different taxonomic groups and trophic levels of the soil communities of Martinique were targeted and collected in six experimental banana fields, with a level of contamination within a range of values classically observed. Soil samples and macrofauna from the study sites were analysed for CLD and chlordecol (CLDOH) its main transformation product. The contamination of the soil fauna were related to δ15N (trophic level), proportion of soil ingestion (diet) and types of epidermis (mucus or exoskeleton) in order to study the different mechanisms of macrofauna contamination. Presence of CLD and CLDOH could be quantified in all the soil organisms from contaminated fields. Results showed a significant relationship between the CLD contamination of detritivorous and the ash content of their faeces, suggesting that soil ingestion was the main contamination pathway. In contrast, the exoskeleton-bearing diplopod Trigoniulus coralinus and the soft-bodied earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae, both detritivores with a comparable diet, had similar contamination levels, suggesting that the type of tegument has little influence on bioaccumulation. At the scale of the entire trophic network, a significant relationship was uncovered between δ15N values and CLD contamination of the fauna, therefore providing some in situ evidence for a bioamplification process along the soil food chain. [Display omitted] • Endogeic earthworms were among the most contaminated organisms. • Geophagy was the main driver of macrofauna contamination by chlordecone. • No link between skin type (mucus or exoskeleton) and soil fauna was found. • The trophic level of organisms had a significant effect on contamination. • Biomagnification was a secondary contamination mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ingestion of foreign bodies are common emergency situations. Pica is a form of eating disorder in adults. We report 3 cases of digestive lesions in patients with Pica in the visceral emergency department of the Yalgado Ouédraogo University Hospital. The 1st case was that of a 36-year-old female patient with a 5-year history of psychiatric disorders. She was treated for acute generalized peritonitis due to ileal perforation. The plane abdominal x-ray showed numerous non consumable intra-abdominal objects. Laparotomy was performed. The second case describes a 21-year-old female patient who was seen for fever and right iliac fossa pain. Plain abdominal x-ray revealed calcium like opacities describing the colonic framework and the small intestine compatible with geophagy, an appendectomy was performed. The 3rd patient was a 22-year-old patient who was admitted with acute generalized peritonitis. There was a 3-year history of depression. The plain abdominal x-ray showed an intra-abdominal metallic object compatible with a mechanic's flat key. Laparotomy was performed. The management of pica should be mainly preventive and educational. Surgery remains necessary in case of mechanical complications of these ingested bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural mineral licks are ecologically valuable resources to meet the physiological needs of herbivores, particularly in temperate forests. Importantly, licking sites can harbor high anthropogenic risk for conservation‐dependent herbivores through higher chance of pathogen spillover from livestock and increased levels of poaching risks. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no information on the mineral lick use in temperate forests of west Asia and the Caucasus where a few threatened deer species exist. We monitored four naturally occurring mineral licks in Central Alborz Protected Area, northern Iran during May–July 2019 using camera traps and analyzed the mineral content of the licking sites. A total of 53 independent mineral lick visits were obtained from only three species of herbivores, i.e., Caspian red deer (Cervus elaphus maral; n = 21), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus; n = 26), and wild pig (Sus scrofa; n = 6). The sex ratio of visiting Caspian red deer was highly skewed toward females (3M:18F), whereas it was more balanced in visiting roe deer (11M:15F). The species‐level distribution of visits corresponded to diurnal and cathemeral for Caspian red deer and for roe deer, respectively, without any evidence of different activity curves. There was a negative nonlinear relationship between the ambient temperature and the visitation rate. Our findings showed that mineral licks are important habitat features for these large herbivores and need to be included in spatial mapping and habitat protection measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geological and hydrobiogeochemical studies carried out in two areas in the Teletskoye Lake basin in the Altai Mountains suggest that geophagy among wild and domestic herbivores in the studied areas develops in mountain-taiga with steppe landscapes on Proterozoic metamorphic rocks near the Paleozoic granitoids with high concentrations of magmatogenic minerals of rare earth elements (REE). This fact is the reason for high concentrations of REE in loose diluvial deposits and glacial deposits adjacent to granitoids, as well as in derivative soils and vegetation. REE concentrations in the vegetation of the studied territories were almost similar to the geophagy sites previously investigated in the Sikhote-Alin. The geochemical specificity of landscapes revealed both in the Altai Mountains and in the Sikhote-Alin may be the cause of REE imbalance in the hormonal system of the body. It forces animals to address the resulting problems with mineral sorbents of the quartz-feldspar-illite-chlorite type which can remove the excess of REE from the body. When selecting these, the animals tend to find sodium-enriched varieties if possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the mineral and chemical compositions of kudurits consumed by wild ungulates and the chemical composition of forage vegetation near the water-divide of the Abakan Range, Mountain Altai, Russia, were studied. It was found that the kudurits are represented by smectite-vermiculite mineral associations with chlorite-the products of hydrothermal transformation of metamorphosed ultrabasic rocks (serpentinites) following the intrusion of neighboring gabbroid dikes. Acid extracts (hydrogen chloride, pH 1.0) from kudurits most actively extract Ca, K, Mg, Fe and Na. In the composition of trace elements, Ba, Sr, Ni, Cu, Cr, Co, V, Zn and Li are most mobile. The comparison of the chemical composition of a kudurit and coprolite of red deer indicates that when mineral earth materials pass through the digestive tract out of all trace elements only about 0.4 g/kg of Na is reliably assimilated in the body, while kudurits simultaneously sorb and remove P, K, Mg and Ca. Chemical analyses of vegetation in places from which animals most often come to kudurs revealed high concentrations of rare earth elements. A rare-earth-sodium hypothesis of the cause of geophagy is developed, which may explain the majority of cases of regular consumption of earthy substances by animals and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Geophagy is an ancestral practice particularly found among African women who describe beneficial effects on the sympathetic signs of pregnancy. Studies have reported a significant prevalence of consumption of kaolin, known as geophagy, within migrant population. However, this behavior, like other environmental factors, could lead to obstetrical and neonatal risks. Objective: The objective of our study was to evaluate the obstetrical and neonatal impact of kaolin consumption, especially on Z-SCORE for weight-for-gestational age in the newborn. Methods: This mono-centric historical cohort study was carried out on the basis of questionnaires and patients' obstetrical records. It was conducted between January 1 and July 1, 2017. Patients were divided into two groups: 1) women who consumed kaolin (at least once during their pregnancy), and 2) women who did not consume kaolin. Morphometric characteristics of the newborn were retrieved in obstetrical records. Results: Results: 105 pregnant women were included: 26 exposed and 79 non exposed. Women who consumed kaolin were more frequently without social protection at their first consultation (p <.01). Multivariate analysis did not show a significant association between Z-SCORE for weight-for gestational age in the newborn and kaolin consumption (β = 0.13, p =.54) after adjusting on age, precariousness, BMI, intake of toxic substances, anemia and beginning eclampsia. Among these covariates, precariousness was significantly associated with both a decrease in Z-SCORE for weight (β = −0.87, p <.002) and size (β = −0.68, p <.01). Conclusion: Geophagy is not to be neglected in socially advantaged countries due to increased immigration. This study found no association between kaolin consumption and birth weight. However, there was a correlation between precariousness and low birth weight which reinforces the importance of tightening the follow-up during pregnancies in the most precarious women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this work was a retrospective analysis of the incidence of toxocars in the population of the Astrakhan region for 2012-2019. 48 epidemiological maps of persons infected with toxocars were analyzed. The clinical diagnosis of «Toxocarosis» was confirmed by clinical examination data, patient complaints, collected epidemiological history, and data from the enzyme immunoassay method using test systems to detect antibodies to toxocar class G antigens. Cases of toxocarosis were observed in persons aged 3 to 75 years, of which children accounted for 18,8% (n = 9). An epidemiological history was collected, as a result of which it was found that most of the infected – 91,7% (n = 44) did not follow the rules of personal hygiene (this category of patients had such bad habits as: eating dirty unwashed fruits and vegetables – 89,6% (n = 43), unwashed dirty hands before eating – 16,7% (n = 8), contact with non – dehelminthized animals – 58,4% (n = 28): dogs – 43,8% (n = 21), including domestic – 90,5% (n = 19), cats – 14,6% (n = 7), including domestic-85,7% (n = 6). The tendency to geophagy (the habit of eating the soil) was observed in 68,8% (n = 33) of the infected. And the habit of biting the nails on the hands and feet (onychophagia) was observed in 18,8% (n = 9) of children. After the final diagnosis, all patients underwent a course of chemotherapy with albandazole. Thus, the high infection rates of people who lived in the Leninsky and Trusovsky districts of Astrakhan are associated with the fact that these areas are densely populated with a large number of private sector, in which there are domestic animals (cats and dogs). Presumably, one of the main causes of human infection with toxocars was not following the rules of personal hygiene, eating poorly washed fruits and vegetables, contact with animals and geophagy. The presence of a titer of antibodies to toxocar antigens above a dilution of 1: 800 indicates the presence of the disease ZVisceral toxocarosis\ in the examined person.

This article synthesises current knowledge and identifies research gaps on the still intriguing aspects of the subject of geophagy as practised in Africa. Despite the voluminous research literature that exists on the subject, geophagy in Africa is still a largely misunderstood phenomenon. Although the practice is not confined to any particular age group, race, gender, or geographical region, in Africa it is most commonly recorded among pregnant women and children. Till now, the precise aetiology of geophagy remains obscure; but the practice is thought to have both beneficial effects such as having a role as a nutrient supplement, as well as several demerits. An updated critical review of human geophagy in Africa - with a section on (other) animal geophagy -, highlights several aspects of the practice that need further research. A comprehensive bibliography is assembled, comprising some of the more pertinent and recently published papers (mostly post-dating the year 2005), as well as older seminal works, providing a baseline and robust framework for aiding the search process of Medical Geology researchers and those from allied fields wanting to explore the still poorly understood aspects of geophagy in Africa.

Geological and hydrobiogeochemical studies carried out in two areas of active geophagy among herbivorous animals in the area of Teletskoye Lake in the Altai Mountains suggest that consumption of lithogenic substances by animals is typical for mountain-taiga and mountain-steppe landscapes with high soluble REE contents in rocks. The high soluble REE contents were measured in the deluvial deposits of some magmatic and metamorphic rocks, as well as in the associated glacial deposits and in the derived soils and vegetation. The revealed geochemical specificity of landscapes similar to that previously established in the Sikhote-Alin becomes the cause of unbalance in the composition and concentration of REEs in the neuroimmunoendocrine system of the animal body. Being in a state of hormonal stress, animals try to compensate for this problem by consuming mineral sorbents, which, as we found out, can remove excess REEs from the body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopedological studies focus on agricultural soils resulting in undervaluation of non-agricultural soil materials during land classification. In this study, ethnographic and ethnopedologic methods were used to obtain local knowledge and gain in-depth understanding of non-agricultural soils, their mineralogical and elemental composition relating to application in geophagy, healing and cosmetic purposes in two villages in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In each village a questionnaire was administered to fifty randomly selected individuals from which ten knowledgeable volunteers (including eight geophagists from two villages) provided details on the selection criteria, the desired properties and why the soils performed the claimed role. Users based their selection on macromorphological features (e.g. colour, texture and location within the soil) and indigenous knowledge. Geophagic materials were mainly sourced from C horizons. They were mostly fine-grained with mica, kaolinite and quartz, and elements such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co) and lead (Pb). Natural pigments, such as iron oxides in highly weathered soils, were recognised as sunscreen materials. Although the mechanisms were not understood by users, laboratory analyses showed that the mineralogical and chemical properties of the soil materials played a crucial role. The sunscreen and healing capabilities of these soils were related to high contents of titanium (TiO2) and iron (Fe2O3) and the presence of kaolinite. Further appraisal of these soil materials is necessary for their conservation and inclusion in land classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous wildlife species visit salt licks to consume soil (geophagy) or to drink water. Studies have mostly focused on salt lick use by mammals as they are easily identified owing to larger body size, predominance in using these resources, and predictable movement and behaviour, as well as several established hypotheses such as mineral supplementation. However, salt licks are also crucial to some birds. The interest in and documentation of avifaunal geophagy at salt licks have increased in recent years. However, few studies have investigated this phenomenon in Southeast Asia. We used camera traps to document bird species richness, diversity and encounter rates at 20 salt licks (nine natural and 11 artificial) within three reserves (the Royal Belum State Park, Perak and Krau Wildlife Reserve, Pahang, both primary forest, and secondary forest in Tembat Forest Reserve) in Peninsular Malaysia. We compared parameters between the two types of salt lick (natural and artificial) and two types of habitats (primary and secondary forest). We found that salt licks were used by 24 bird species, including pheasants, hornbills, rails, herons, doves, cuckoos, pittas, bulbuls, flycatchers, and estrildid finches. Raptors did not exhibit geophagous behaviour, except for the Brown Wood-Owl (Strix leptogrammica). Most salt lick users were resident carnivores and insectivores. The Asian Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica) and Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus) were the most frequent birds at salt licks. Avian species richness in primary forests was similar for both types of salt licks, but species diversity was higher at natural salt licks. Meanwhile, species diversity at artificial salt licks was similar by habitat type, but bird’s species richness was significantly higher at primary forest artificial salt licks than at secondary forest artificial licks. Encounter rates of birds at artificial salt licks were higher than natural salt licks in primary forests. Furthermore, bird encounter rates at secondary forest artificial salt licks were higher than at primary forest artificial licks. We suggest that artificial salt licks can be used to enrich degraded forests since they serve a role similar to that of natural salt licks and can attract birds and other animals. This information is crucial to conservation and biodiversity management planning for protected forests, particularly secondary and degraded forests.

Studies were carried out in the upper reaches of the Akkem River aimed at explaining why the local ungulates consume clay rocks common in the basin of the Yarlu River, a tributary of the Akkem River. Chemical composition of river and spring waters and mineral and chemical composition of clay rocks consumed by wild and domestic ungulates at kudurs were studied. The waters in the local watercourses are ultra-fresh, hydro-carbonate-calcium. Increased concentrations of rare-earth elements (REE) were observed in waters of the Yarlu River. Consumed clayey rocks (kudurits) are represented by finely dispersed quartz-plagioclase-mica-chlorite mineral associations — the products of transformation of shale rocks of the Early Paleozoic age. The comparison of the chemical composition of kudurits and coprolites of red deer showed that when the rocks pass through the digestive tract, out of all macroelements, only Na is reliably assimilated in the body in amounts from 0.1 to 0.3 g per kg of kudurit. In addition, kudurits act as sorbents, removing P, K, Mg, and sometimes Ca from the body. As part of micronutrients, they are most active in sorbing and removing REE from the body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geophagy is the habit of consuming clay soil such as chalk or kaolin. Though it is globally practiced, the safety of those involved is yet to be fully established. It is thought to be highly prevalent in pregnant women because of its antinausea or therapeutic effects. This practice is also thought to be provoked by some nutritional needs, but in modern society its etiology is obscure. The mineralogical and chemical compositions of clay may vary from one region to another and even in all form of rocks clay constitutes. Published articles in geophagy indicate lack of adequate investigations into the toxicity of geophagy, though it is globally practiced and more prevalent in Africa (as a continent) or in Africans migrants. Some studies have helped to identify some minerals that are toxic to human if ingested. In most cases, the potential toxicity emphasized by these studies is based on the detection of the presence of these nuisance elements in the geophagic materials. Scientifically, a lot has been done in the light of detection of toxic matter, but more investigations on metabolic studies are still necessary. The variability of clay content with respect to source motivated this review on geophagy and its potential toxicity to human. This review is aimed at bringing out findings that would enable a better understanding of the toxicity potential of geophagy across context and taxa.

This study aims to characterize and estimate risk assessment associated with geophagic materials consumption in Maputo city (Mozambique). Samples were collected in extraction mines, unprepared and prepared ones, and in Maputo markets. Fractions < 2 mm (total consumed material) and <63 μm were analyzed to determine pH, EC, OM, chemical composition (XRF), and mineral phases present (XRD). The results revealed pH from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline, and electrical conductivity ranging from 13 to 47 μS/cm in mine unprepared and prepared samples, while 264–465 μS/cm in sampled sold in markets. Organic matter content was <2.76%, except in one sample (8.14%), suggesting a potential risk of containing bacteria. Textural analysis revealed that sand-size particles were more representative in all samples (57.2–93.02%). Mineralogical phases identified in the consumed sample were ranked quartz (>60%) > Fe oxides/hidroxides > phyllosilicates (micas and kaolinite) > feldspars, suggesting a risk of dental enamel damage and perforation of the sigmoid colon. The chemical concentration of some elements was higher than recommended daily dose, suggesting a potential risk. However, geophagic materials' chemical composition does not pose a carcinogenic risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deliberate geophagia or sand-eating behaviour has been widely documented in herbivorous and omnivorous mammals, but never in large felids at captivity. Here we report a case of apparent lethal gastrointestinal impaction from sand intake in a 10-year-old captive Bengal tigress. After 2 days of anorexia and prostration the tigress was admitted to the University Veterinary Hospital with abdominal distension and diarrhoea and died shortly afterwards. A post-mortem examination revealed oesophageal perforation, abundant liquid in the stomach and pyloric obstruction due to the presence of compacted sand and some masses of poultry bones. It is hypothesized that geophagy (of sand) may have been a strategy to alleviate indigestion by consumption of rotten poultry carcasses, but evolved into a compulsive/obsessive-compulsive disorder over time, possibly due to a restricted and barren environment. Zoo animal welfare involves a series of challenges that include an adequate diet in quantity and presentation, as well as complex behaviours such as the motivation to ingest non-food substances under certain contexts during life in captivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mineral licks are essential to many species of mammals and birds in the Amazon rainforest, including the Linnaeus's two-toed sloth (Choloepus didactylus). While sloths have been recorded at mineral licks, visitation of the two-toed sloth at mineral licks has not been described in detail. We used camera traps to observe sloth visitation at 53 mineral lick sites and generalized linear mixed-effects model to evaluate patterns in visitation. We recorded a visitation rate of 29.39 visits per 100 camera nights, with a peak activity time of 22.00 h. Our model results suggest that sloth visitation at mineral licks may be related to differential habitat selection based in part on elevation, slope, and distance from rivers and streams. This study describes the largest dataset on sloth visitation at mineral licks to date, provides key natural history information on this cryptic mammal, and contributes to our understanding of the ecological importance of mineral licks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A routine survey in blackbuck habitats in Bhetnoi region of Ganjam district in Odisha, India revealed an interesting behaviour of blackbucks, with a sub-adult male blackbuck licking and consuming the termite mound's soils. To the best of our knowledge, this phenomenon has never been observed for blackbucks. This finding was reconfirmed on subsequent visits, with this behaviour being observed in 30% of total survey periods. This phenomenon is seen in a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, butterflies, and isopods, especially herbivorous isopods. It serves as a mineral supplement for the animal, as well as providing gastrointestinal relief and lowering gut toxicity. This observation provides impetus to articulate research questions regarding blackbucks' dietary habits in relation to termite mounds, and any knowledge on the nutrient/element composition of such termite mounds will reveal interesting facts and information that will help in a better understanding of the function of termite mounds in the diet of antelopes, especially blackbucks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To test the "rare earth" hypothesis of geophagy, geological and hydrogeochemical studies unparalleled anywhere in the world were carried out at kudurs (salt licks) in two districts in the Primorsky Krai, Russia. The mineral and chemical compositions of geophagic earth consumed by animals, the chemical composition of surface waters and vegetation, and the chemical composition of biological tissues of red deer (Cervus elaphus) were studied in this research. It was found that ultra-fresh surface and fontinal waters in the studied areas contain anomalously high concentrations of rare earth elements (REE), the sums of which exceeded the average values in the Primorsky Krai and worldwide by tenfold, and more. The presence of landscape REE anomalies is confirmed by elevated concentrations of these elements in vegetation. Using electron microscopy, it was determined that the sources of REE in landscape components are rocks containing secondary, readily soluble, REE minerals (hydrophosphates and fluorocarbonates). The study of the chemical composition of animal tissues showed the presence of significant concentrations of heavy REE (HREE) in the blood and brain, which indirectly indicates a high probability of animals developing stress reactions against the background REE-elementosis. Eaten earthy substances in both areas are represented by mixtures of smectite clays and zeolites with high ion-exchange properties. In the digestive tract of animals, such sorbents actively interact with the biological electrolyte, saturating it with sodium ions and absorbing HREE. The main meaning of geophagy is regulation of the concentration and proportion of REE in the body. Sometimes it manifests itself in intake of significant amounts of Na. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction Geophagia although pleasurable and somewhat a necessity among pregnant women, also comes along with its own attendant problems such as exposure to potentially hazardous substances like bacteria, fungi, helminthes and ova, radioactive materials, and toxic elemental minerals in the soil depending on the geographical location. Methodology This study evaluated the potential health risk involved during the exposure of pregnant women to toxic elemental minerals via the consumption of clay as pica (geophagia). Elemental mineral analysis was carried out using Buck Scientific 210VGP Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Buck Scientific, Inc. East Norwalk, USA). Risk assessment methods were also used to ascertain the various risks factors and the overall risk level. Results Concentrations of the macro elements investigated were 1.38 ± 1.5, 2.40 ± 1.5, 7.74 ± 1.5, 4.01 ± 1.0, 13.24 ± 2.2 and 13.76 ± 2.1 mg/Kg for iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na) respectively. While that for the micro elements were 1.63 ± 0.03 μg/Kg, 4.72 ± 0.8, 0.53 ± 0.02 and 1.85 ± 0.3 mg/kg respectively for arsenic (As), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni). Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Hazard Quotient (HQ), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Total Target Hazard Quotient (TTHQ) values ranged 0.611–5.44 (mg/kg Bw/day), 6.26 × 10− 4 – 106.5, 0.067–10.34 and 15 respectively. Conclusion There is the likelihood of posing adverse health problems when clay samples obtained from Anfoega which is sited in the Volta region of Ghana is consumed due to the fact that the HQ’s of these elemental minerals were > 1 which points to high content of Manganese (Mn) and Nickel (Ni). It is also likely to cause adverse health problems in an individual’s life time since THQ for Arsenic, Lead and Nickel were above 1. Ultimately, the cumulative effect of these toxicants were exceedingly great (≤ 15) which implied a high level of unsafety associated with this clay. Per the results from this study, it is not safe for pregnant women to consume clay as pica since these toxic elements may cause detrimental effects on the foetus of the unborn child.