The second cause of painful cravings for chalk is iron deficiency anemia. Therefore, if a person consumes a sufficient amount of dairy products, and the craving for chalk does not disappear, it makes sense to donate blood for analysis and check hemoglobin. It is possible that a reduced iron content will be detected and, as a result, low level hemoglobin.
Is chalk harmful to the human body
Firstly, if you use an excess amount of chalk. Even the purest chalk can be harmful to health if eaten more than 1 piece daily for a long time. With such “overdoses”, the risk of calcium salt deposits in the kidneys and vessel walls increases, which creates life-threatening situations. At the same time, the calcium contained in the chalk is practically not used for its intended purpose - it is not deposited in the bones, since its absorption requires various acids and the presence of vitamin D in accessible form. It is much more useful to eat 100 g of natural cottage cheese containing calcium and vitamin D, with sour cream and berries containing acids - then the mechanism for assimilation of a valuable element will work correctly, and calcium will be in the bones, and not in the kidneys.
Secondly, if the chalk contains all sorts of impurities. As a rule, even unpainted (white) chalk, called school or office chalk, contains, in addition to calcium salts, a whole spectrum various substances harmful to the human body. It can be gypsum, glue, impurities of other trace elements. And certainly you should not try colored chalk - the dye can be toxic.
A small amount of pure white chalk, without foreign odors and taste, will not bring the body any significant harm or special benefit. If exists real problem micronutrient deficiencies - the right decision would be to use pharmaceutical preparations calcium and iron, as well as nutritional optimization.
Many people know the feeling of an irresistible desire to eat a piece of chalk. And some cannot do without a daily portion of this supplement at all. What caused such a need of the body, and what kind of chalk can be used?
Food chalk is ideal for eating, which does not contain harmful substances and is purified.
What caused the desire to eat chalk?
Such an oddity in taste preferences, like an unexpected desire to eat chalk, most often indicates a malfunction in the body. It should be understood that a piece white matter won't get rid of true reason emergence of desire. Experts say the problem may liein (anemia). Iron deficiency causes a decrease in hemoglobin. This condition leads to rapid aging organism.calcium deficiency- Another reason for eating chalk. Not receiving this trace element in required quantities, the body begins to give such peculiar "signals".
To normalize the state, it is necessary to revise daily diet and start taking supplements like food chalk.
Even 10-15 years ago, they wrote on the board with lumpy chalk, which can even be eaten. It was this chalk that many managed to taste. It does not contain any harmful substances in the composition, but it also does not have any special benefits for the body.
Calcium carbonate- the main component of lump chalk. It is used for the production of medicines that make it possible to compensate for the lack of a microelement in the body, improve the condition of hair, nails and bone tissue.
Is it possible to eat natural chalk during pregnancy?
During the childbearing period female body experiencing a huge burden. Almost every pregnant woman suffers from micronutrient deficiencies and useful substances. Such a problem can be expressed in an irresistible desire to gnaw a piece of chalk. Pregnant women may also like the smell of soap, whitewash. Experts say that in small quantities chalk (food, calcium carbonate ) use during pregnancy expectant mother can. However, such a "delicacy" should be chosen carefully. Drawing crayons contain various additives and are completely different in taste from the original. It is better not to eat them. A piece of natural chalk for a pregnant woman will be good source calcium. Before using such an unusual product, it is recommended to consult a doctor. Perhaps the expectant mother will need to undergo an examination to find out the reason for such a desire.
Food chalk: benefits and harms to the body.
According to doctors, only pharmaceutical chalk, purified from various harmful inclusions and impurities, is suitable for use. It will bring exceptional benefits to the body: it will strengthen the walls of blood vessels, make up for the deficiency of calcium ions.
It is necessary to take such chalk according to age dosage. For lovers of chalk, the most delicious is the food, purified product. A few small pieces a day will definitely not cause harm to the body. Although, on the other hand, one should not expect much benefit from this “delicacy”. It will not affect the lack of nutrients in the body!
Food chalk: application
Most meloids cannot live without their favorite treat and day. Each of them has its own "dose". How much can you use chalk, so as not to harm the body? Experts recommend not to get involved in eating this substance.
Some people deal with hyperacidity stomach helps chalk food. To do this, it is ground into powder and consumed one teaspoon per day.
Some pharmaceuticals designed to reduce the level of acidity gastric juice contain calcium carbonate. The substance has antacid properties and can be used for peptic ulcer disease.
Can you give chalk to children?
Unexpected taste preferences can also be observed in children. For parents, this is a kind of signal that the growing body lacks nutrients. If the baby began to eat chalk, you should think about the fact that the child's diet is not balanced.
Calcium deficiency during the period of active skeletal growth poses a serious threat to normal physical development child. The trace element is necessary to strengthen muscle and bone tissue, participates in the formation strong teeth. A craving for chalk can develop in a child with low hemoglobin. Iron-deficiency anemia in children is dangerous disease. The body begins to suffer from a lack of oxygen, which leads to fatigue, dizziness. With such problems, you should definitely contact your pediatrician.
It is not worth denying a child the desire to eat a piece of chalk. However, the safest product should be chosen for this purpose. School chalk or one that is intended for drawing is completely unsuitable for use as food additive. Pharmaceutical chalk is considered harmless. It is produced in the form of calcium gluconate tablets. The dosage is calculated depending on the age of the baby.
Purified chalk (food) can also be given to a child to gnaw. It is rarely found in pharmacies. Most often, such a "delicacy" ( food grade calcium carbonate ) are purchased through online stores. Additional measures Constantly eating chalk (even food) is not an option.
To make up for the lack of trace elements in the body, you should adjust the diet. For anemia, it is useful to eat foods fortified with iron. These include: liver (pork and beef); buckwheat; Garnet; prunes; bananas.
With a strong desire to eat a few pieces of chalk, of course, you can. Only it must be a quality product. It should be remembered that you can only use white chalk (food grade) purified from various harmful substances.
Buy food-grade purified chalk
in the online store of eco-products
There is an opinion that food chalk, eaten, can provoke the formation of stones. This statement is true in one case - eating a product in huge quantities. In this case, there may be problems not only with the kidneys, but with all organs (vessels and lungs can become covered with limescale). If you eat a couple of pieces of pure chalk a day, then there will be no harm.
Why there is a need for chalk
Most products do not contain necessary for the body the amount of minerals and vitamins, from their lack arise various problems with health. Many foods that should contain calcium are unnatural, which means they are of no use. Without getting calcium, there is a desire to chew on a piece of chalk, thus obtaining a large amount of calcium.
If you have cramps (even with hypothermia), the blood began to clot worse, the hair lost its luster and fell out, the bones and nails became brittle, which means that there is not enough calcium. In case of an acute shortage of a substance, it is necessary to replenish it, choose products that contain this trace element. For instance:
- a fish;
- rose hip;
- nuts;
- sea cabbage;
- vegetables;
- cereals.
You can compensate for calcium deficiency by adding chalk or chalk tablets to your diet.
Is it possible to eat lump chalk
When choosing lump chalk for food, remember that it must be clean. So, you can not eat one that:
- used at school, it contains glue, gypsum and dyes;
- quarried or purchased hardware store, contains many impurities;
- give to animals, it is practically not cleared.
The most useful will be chalk bought at a pharmacy. It tastes slightly different from natural, but it is as safe as possible.
Is food chalk good?
The benefits of eating chalk for food are undeniable, the main thing is to do it right. It is important to pay attention to this, since calcium in pure form not very well absorbed. Eating even a large amount of chalk will not saturate the body essential substances. To improve the process of assimilation, drink it with citrus juice.
To make sure you need calcium, think about pregnant women who need it in in large numbers. This substance depends correct formation skeleton developing fetus. A woman can feel a lack of calcium during pregnancy and even after childbirth. For this reason, it is recommended to consume vitamins with this substance. It also explains why pregnant women sometimes want to chew on chalk.
Chalk is a material that is familiar to everyone from school, it is a witness to eras that ended millions of years ago. The chalk contains a large number of calcium deposits, shells of prehistoric microorganisms and protozoa. flora. Mineral deposits, as well as processed powders, are used in various areas of life - from industrial paints and food additives to cosmetics. It is important to understand how chalk is formed, what it consists of and where it is used.
How did chalk come about
Ninety million years ago, in Northern Europe, a large amount of silt accumulated in the depths of the sea. Many protozoans (foraminifers) lived on such clusters. Their particles are composed of fine calcite and water. The stratigraphic European Cretaceous group arose in the period of the same name.
From the rock, white cliffs were created in the territory of Kent, as well as slopes in the area of the Strait of Dover. It was these clusters that became the main component of the crushed white powder. But most of all in such a rock there are remains of algae and compounds of a finely dispersed nature. Many experts have concluded that the breed arose mainly from vegetation.
The principle of education
The rock, which contains a large amount of moisture, quickly sticks to construction tools. Exactly because of this reason construction works with the use of calcium carbonate are carried out mainly in countries with a dry climate with high temperatures. good example buildings made of limestone in ancient times is considered the pyramid of Cheops.
During construction under conditions sub-zero temperature such a mineral begins to disintegrate into separate parts of a few millimeters.
Mineral rock price
The cost of the mineral will directly depend on the type of processing and its further use. There are several categories:
- Colored crayons, which are used for drawing on surfaces and asphalt, will cost no more than 400 rubles per pack.
- Crayons white color without the addition of dyes - about 100 rubles.
- Farm material, which is ordered in large quantities, and also taken away from the production of several tons. The price for each ton of hammer limestone will range from 3 to 5 thousand.
- The cost of edible chalk, which is used to add to foods, and is also actively used in medicine, is from 40 to 300 rubles per hundred grams. The mineral belemnite is also used in medicine.
The use of lime mineral
Nowadays, chalk is a fairly widely used mineral that is included in many industries.
Chalk is actively used in the following areas:
Eating
Decreased levels of calcium in the human body and other useful elements as a result, leads to the desire to consume the mineral in food. When carrying a baby, anemia, some women have an irresistible need to eat chalk, so it is very important to understand whether it is safe for the body.
Of course, one or more small pieces of pure chalk will not harm the human body. But it is important to remember that chalk without additional impurities is not freely available and it is almost impossible to find it, except in a pharmacy where it is sold in the form of calcium gluconate. The most common product in the store is simple school chalk, in its production glue and other dyes are added, which are very dangerous and toxic to the body.
Reception of chalk in an uncontrolled dosage as a result can lead to liming of vessels, deposition of stones in the kidneys. All this will lead to difficulties with work. digestive tract.
In addition to the negative effect of impurities that are included in the construction chalk, it begins to oxidize when interacting with gastric juice, which changes it to a harmful chemical reagent.
Why the body requires chalk
Very often, such a desire appears with a lack of calcium in the human body. Such a reduced rate may occur due to too poor nutrition, prolonged stress and nerves, weakening immune system after serious illnesses and also bearing children.
Given that when carrying a child, it is calcium that forms the basis for the formation of the skeletal and nervous systems of the body, a low amount of such a mineral is very important to replenish in time. In this case, improving the diet will not help change the situation, so experts advise using vitamin complexes during pregnancy.
Due to the fact that the neural tube of the fetus develops on early dates to reduce the possibility improper formation, it is important to start using a complex of vitamins even before conception. Anemia and a low calcium ratio in the body in most cases lead to heavy and prolonged periods.
If there are symptoms of calcium deficiency (convulsions, pallor of the skin, deterioration in the structure of hair and nails), you can start taking special tablets calcium gluconate. Unlike stationery and other industrial species chalk, they are completely safe, with long-term use they can lead to diarrhea.
Most often, the craving for the use of this mineral disappears after improving the diet and adding a lot of dairy products, fresh herbs and vegetables, chicken eggs to it.
In some cases, the craving for inedible substances may indicate disorders with nervous system. After the use of such products, obstruction in the intestines and nutritional deficiencies very often occur.
Who among us does not know chalk? Whose pockets and fingers were not soiled by a piece of light stone the color of snow in childhood? Who does not know the happiness of the artistic creation of the "Cretaceous" period? Who, as a teenager, did not investigate the properties of chalk in "bubble" experiments, did not examine a chalk smear under a microscope? Mineral chalk is a witness to eras that have passed tens of millions of years ago. Awareness of this fact changes the perception of familiar material. Having biological origin, the chalk stone learned its properties from organisms that lived in time immemorial.
Origin of chalk
The Cretaceous period is a period of time covering about 80 million years during the reign of dinosaurs. Warm and shallow (30-500 meters deep) seas of that time gave shelter to myriads of the smallest mollusks that built their skeletons and shells from calcium extracted from the water.The remains of these creatures, accumulated in bottom sediments in multi-meter layers, turned into the well-known chalk. In percentage terms, the mineral chalk is divided into the following parts:
- fragments of skeletons - about 10%. It's about not only about the simplest creatures, but also about multicellular animals endowed with the ability to extract and concentrate calcium salts in tissues.
- shells of microscopic mollusks foraminifera - about 10%. However, not all rhizopods (the Russian name for animals) had a calcareous shell. Some built their protective layer from a chitin-like substance. In many ways, therefore, in the Cretaceous deposits of calcium carbonate itself, no more than 98% (and no less than 91%) are found.
- fragments of calcareous growths of algae - up to 40%. Coccolithophores - the plant plankton of the oceans - feel great in our time. Up to 98% of the microscopic living suspension in the upper layers of the seas accounted for this type of algae. Therefore, the calcareous mineral, in fact, is a product for the most part of plant rather than animal origin. The origin of chalk is the merit of plants!
- finely dispersed crystalline calcite - up to 50%. We are talking about "fragments of debris", and so miniature in size that it is not possible to determine their biological affiliation.
- insoluble minerals (mainly silicates) - up to 3%. This is mainly geological debris (sand and fragments of various rocks) carried into the Cretaceous by winds and currents. Although, in addition, biogenic calcium formations are enriched with phosphorus and silicon compounds during metabolic processes during the life of the animal.
Shells of more or less large mollusks, skeletons of coelenterates, concretions of alien minerals are relatively rare in the Cretaceous strata. Only a few photographs of chalk show the observer arrays dotted with cavities of bulk shells.
Chalk composition
It is assumed that chemical formula chalk corresponds to the formula calcium carbonate CaCO3. However, the real composition of chalk differs from the composition of the calcium salt of carbonic acid.Actually, calcium oxide in the mineral is about half: the concentration of CaO ranges from 47% to 55%. There is also a lot of carbon dioxide in the chalk, which is in bound state. CO2 - up to 43%!
Magnesium oxide MgO can reach up to 2% of the total mass of chalk. Inclusions of quartz SiO2 are usually not too significant, but in general are mandatory, and can reach a concentration of 6%. Chalk density with high content silicon more than usual.
Somewhat less in the composition of chalk aluminum oxide Al2O3 - no more than 4%. A variety of iron oxides rarely exceed the half-percent concentration threshold, but it is they that color the chalk red quite often.
Chalk application
Like an independent construction material chalk is used only as a raw material for the production of chalk paints. Out of mass use half a century ago, the whitewashing of rooms with a colloidal solution of pure or colored chalk is almost never done today.As a masonry stone, chalk is untenable - although the premises dug into the chalk massifs remain habitable for centuries. The low hardness of the chalk makes it possible to gradually excavate the stone without large-scale destruction of the massif.
In the construction industry, the use of chalk is growing and expanding. Production of cement and glass without chalk is almost impossible! Chalk is required by paper-making enterprises, light industry, and organic chemistry. Paints and rubber, hygiene products and soil fertilizers, animal feed and perfume compositions are produced using chalk.
Can you eat chalk?
It is known that with a lack of calcium in the body, a craving for eating chalk can develop. The experience of generations that grew up in conditions of organic calcium deficiency says: chalk is edible! However, doctors, answering the question whether it is possible to eat chalk, are not so unambiguous.The properties of chalk change dramatically under the influence of gastric juice. Chalk, which has passed through the crucible of oxidative processes, loses its original neutrality and becomes a chemically active reagent. In terms of effectiveness, it is made similar to slaked lime. The mucous membrane of the digestive tract suffers from contact with oxidized chalk.
In addition, the concentration of calcium in the chalk is excessively high. Eating chalk can provoke liming of blood vessels. It is much safer for calcium deficiency to pay attention to medical preparations this metal. A tablet of calcium gluconate affects the body much more positively than a piece of eaten chalk.
Stationery, construction and even fodder agricultural chalk are not suitable for human consumption! A person does not have the opportunity to safely (and even more so for his own benefit) process and assimilate this mineral!
Cretaceous deposits of Eurasia stretched in a wide strip from the Kazakh river Emba to the western tip of Britain. The deposits reach the greatest thickness south of Kharkov: here there are real chalk mountains with a massif thickness of up to 600 m. The ongoing development of the white mineral promises scientists many new discoveries.
