Edible white chalk. What is behind the desire to eat chalk

White lump chalk, familiar to everyone since childhood, was presented to us by the ancient seas of the Cretaceous period. Its composition depends on the depth of reservoir formation - shallow or deep water. Despite the complete decrease in strength with high moisture, they are classified as hard semi-rocky rocks.

Its use is so wide that it is difficult to name an industry where it is not used as a raw material or auxiliary material.

What does it consist of

The composition of chalk includes shells of mollusks, silt, silicates, various admixtures that affect color and quality. Intact ancient fossils are sometimes found.

From the standpoint of chemistry, chalk consists of two parts:

1. The carbonate base includes about 99% calcium carbonates and 1-2% magnesium carbonate, which are soluble in acetic and hydrochloric acids.
2. Non-carbonate admixtures - metal oxides, clay, quartz sand and others, insoluble in acids.

How is it mined

Mining is carried out in open pits. The deposits differ in the thickness of the layers and in the content of calcium carbonate (calcium carbonate) CaCO3 and various impurities. It is the percentage that determines the economic feasibility of deep enrichment and its further application. If there are a lot of impurities (sometimes more than 10%), chalk is used in agriculture to neutralize soil acidity or lime production. Although, for deposits of Western countries, where the content of CaCO3 is 50-70%, it is the norm.

The rock lies close enough to the surface, the thickness of the layers in different deposits ranges from 16 to 90 m, but the physical, mechanical and chemical properties of chalk at different horizons of the same deposit can differ significantly.

Simplified, the production process is as follows: from the quarry, the rock is delivered to the plant for drying in special installations at temperatures up to 400 ° C, crushers and mills are used to grind the pieces. The ground chalk passes through a fine grinder and a separator. The result is separated chalk.

Requirements are put forward for the product both in terms of the purity of the carbonate content in the composition and the fineness of grinding. Only modern equipment of plants for the production of chalk products can provide the required quality.

Chalk properties

Physical

When moistened, chalk loses its compressive strength: at a moisture content of more than 30%, it acquires plastic properties. For this reason, the packaging should be marked: "Afraid of dampness."

Solubility - the property of a substance to dissolve in a liquid without forming a suspension, like sugar or salt. Chalk does not dissolve in water, but forms a suspension and subsequently precipitates.

The density of ground chalk is 2.6 g/cm3, bulk density is 950-1200 kg/m3.

Chalk is not at all frost-resistant, the process of freezing and thawing in a state saturated with water is not applicable to it.

Chemical

If an excess of oxygen is present, the CaCO3 carbonate reacts to form Ca(HCO3) bicarbonate, which gives hardness to the water.

When CaCO3 is calcined in the temperature range from 900 to 1200°C, it decomposes into carbon dioxide and air lime CaO - this is how chalk differs from lime. Quicklime is a product obtained by roasting chalk, shell rock or limestone.

A question from the school curriculum: how to distinguish chalk from slaked lime, if both substances are already in the form of suspensions for coloring? We recall: chalk reacts with vinegar, releasing carbon dioxide - in which container the characteristic reaction will go, it will be there.

Where is chalk used

The use of chalk in any area of ​​industry is due to its categories, which depends on the percentage of carbonates.

• 1 - pure chalk (MMO, MKB-1, MM-1, MMS-1, MMS2, MMSP, MMSG-2);
• 2 - slightly clayey (MK-2, MM-2),
• 3 - strongly clayey (MK-Z, MM-Z),
• 4 - marl-like (MMIP-1, MMIP-2, MMZHP, MMPC).

According to the standards, brand lettering and application by industry are as follows:

• MK - lumpy,
• MM - ground,
• IN - for calcareous soils,
• ZHP - for feeding farm animals and watering,
• PC - production of animal feed,
• C - separated,
• SG - separated hydrophobized,
• Oh - enriched.

By this marking on the packaging or in the catalog, you can determine the purpose and quality of the material.

How serious the requirements are for individual brands, as for raw materials, can be seen from the following GOST notes:

• for use in the paint and varnish and polymer industry, indicators of the reflection coefficient are additionally set;
• for use in the cable industry, the proportion of free alkali is limited.

Where is it used in construction

Building chalk is sold both in pure form and in dry mixtures. Lumpy grades MK-1, MK-2, MK-3 are intended for construction.

• The cheapest "staining" water-based paint is whitewash chalk, the color of which was added with blue linen. With the advent of PVA glue, they began to add it to fix chalk in the paint layer - this is how the prototype of water-based paint appeared.
• Adhesive putty for walls was prepared immediately before application, one of its compositions: drying oil, adhesive solution, chalk.
• Viennese white, which is based on chalk, is the most famous glue paint.
• The addition of drying oil to the chalk made it possible to create the famous putty on the glass of wooden windows.
• Finely dispersed chalk is used as a filler in plastics and paints to save the main raw materials and ensure such qualities as strength, fire resistance, color, wear resistance and others.

Is chalk harmful? Perhaps this is one of the most environmentally friendly and harmless building materials.

Craving for unusual food appears not only in pregnant women. If you really want chalk, this can signal the presence of pathologies. Let us consider in more detail the reasons for the emergence of such taste preferences.

General information

Previously, it was believed that chalk is the remains of ancient representatives of the animal world. But about 60 years ago, it was proved that the Cretaceous rock is of plant origin. These are particles of algae that could release lime.

The natural substance contains:

• calcium carbonate - it makes up most of the rock deposits (98%);
• oxides of iron and other metals;
• magnesium carbonate.

Minerals are mined in quarries. The upper sections of the rock are used for the manufacture of building mixtures, school crayons, and the lower ones can be eaten. They do not contain garbage, harmful components that could get from the soil.

If you want to eat chalk, then it is better to buy it in a specialized online store. Construction or school chalk is not recommended, especially for pregnant women. They contain components and dyes that are very harmful to humans.

Why do you want to eat chalk

When a woman or a man really wants chalk, you should first calculate the reason for this irresistible desire. She is not always harmless. You need to consult a doctor and undergo an examination, especially for pregnant women and nursing mothers.

The main reasons why a person wants to eat crayon:

1. Anemia. An insufficient amount of iron in the body leads to this very insidious disease. The level of hemoglobin decreases, the person becomes lethargic, pale, cracks appear on the skin, mucous membranes constantly dry, he does not want to eat. A person with anemia often feels tired and irritable, he does not want to do anything. Even with small loads, a person has an increased heartbeat. To find out why you really want to eat chalk, you need to see a doctor who will prescribe a general or detailed blood test. Anemia is more common in women, especially pregnant women. In severe cases, it can cause miscarriage or the birth of a sick child.
2. Lack of calcium in the body. It can not be absorbed in the body for two reasons: with severe liver pathologies and with insufficient intake of vitamins C, D, E. Lack of Ca in the human body causes brittle hair, delamination of the nail plates, tooth decay, and frequent convulsions. When a woman or a man wants chalk, it is difficult to determine on their own what is missing in the body. You should not self-medicate without knowing what caused the appearance of certain symptoms.
3. Diseases of the thyroid gland. Some endocrine disorders provoke a very rapid excretion of calcium from the body, so a person wants to replenish it and begins to eat a natural mineral. This cause is eliminated after treatment of the thyroid gland.
4. Pregnancy. What to do if a woman in an “interesting” position wants chalk? First you need to consult a doctor. The reason may be a lack of calcium in a woman's body or a simple change in taste preferences. If you really want to, you can eat 1-3 small pieces, the main thing is that the chalk is food, not technical.
5. Psychological addiction. Man with psychological problems sometimes wants something to chew on. This calms him down. Such a person can eat even one kilogram a day, which causes various diseases. It is recommended to eat pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds instead of chalk, nut mixes, fruits. You can try to relax. If the addiction cannot be overcome, you need to contact a psychologist to eliminate the causes of addiction.

These are the main reasons why a person really wants to eat chalk. But it can be replaced by products, vitamin complexes.

How to replace chalk

If the cause of eating chalk was liver disease, then foods that impair its functioning should be excluded from the diet. It is spicy, fatty, salty, very sweet food. It is recommended to follow the diet number 5.

In diseases of the thyroid gland, it is very important to undergo a complete examination and eliminate the cause of poor absorption of calcium by the human body. After treatment, the desire to eat crayon will pass on its own.

We found out why you want to eat chalk with anemia - this is a lack of iron in the human body. In severe cases, it is replenished with medications prescribed by a doctor. If anemia is manifested to a slight extent in women and men, then its cause can be eliminated if there is food rich in the Fe element.

The largest amount of iron is found in the following foods:

• liver;
• dried fruits;
• beef brains and kidneys, as well as tongue;
• fruits: apricots, apples, pears, plums;
• berries: black currant, gooseberry, strawberry, lingonberry;
• grenades;
• citrus fruits: lemons, oranges, tangerines;
• eggs;
• lamb, beef, pork meat.

With an insufficient amount of calcium in the human body, it can be replenished with fish of all varieties, cottage cheese, spinach, seaweed, rosehip drink, hard cheese, nuts, herbs. It is also very useful to eat bran, all kinds of cereals, any fermented milk products.

If a pregnant woman really wants chalk, then in most cases this means that she has an acute calcium deficiency in the body, which is actively spent on building the skeleton of the unborn child. The doctor can prescribe special vitamin and mineral complexes that are very useful for a woman. Calcium gluconate is often prescribed, which tastes practically no different from ordinary lump chalk.

There are many pills impossible, so as not to harm the fetus and the woman's body as a whole. To improve the condition of the teeth, you can chew calcium gluconate, but do not swallow it, even if you want to do it. A pharmaceutical preparation can be prescribed not only for a pregnant woman, but also for an ordinary person who really wants to eat chalk for no reason.

Sometimes doctors do not find any abnormalities at all in the body of a person who constantly really wants to eat chalk. This is an individual feature of the body. If desired, you can replace the natural remedy with calcium gluconate tablets. But you can buy natural lump chalk on our website, and eat a little every day.

What vitamin is lacking in the human body if you want chalk? The reason for the desire is not in vitamins, but in calcium deficiency in the body in women or men. They simply help the trace element to be better absorbed in the body. Therefore, you need to eat foods rich in Ca first of all. Many of them also contain the necessary vitamins (C, D, E). Very useful for both women and men, fish oil or vitamin E capsules.

What is the danger of an excess of chalk in the body

If there is chalk in small quantities, then this will not affect human health in any way, but if you eat a lot of it, the following problems are possible:

• disruption of the gastrointestinal tract (constipation, heartburn, etc.);
• deposition of calcifications in the organs (lungs, kidneys, liver) of a person, from which hard-to-remove calculi are subsequently formed;
• development diabetes due to disruption of the pancreas;
• calcification of the placenta in pregnant women, the cause of this phenomenon can also be severe stress;
• narrowing of the lumen of the vessels due to coating from the inside with limescale.

You need to understand that you should not abuse the natural component very much, even if it is very tasty and you constantly want to eat a piece in order to avoid future health problems. Pregnant women should be especially careful.

We have analyzed all the reasons why you really want to eat chalk. In some cases, this may be a sign of serious illness or pathological pregnancy in women. To find out exactly the reasons, you need to see a doctor.

You can see the cost on the page

"Chalk gourmets" surprise others: some prefer to consume only stationery chalk, others - construction chalk, and still others - chalk of natural origin. There are those who are used to being content with calcium gluconate. Why is this happening? No need to write everything off as human oddities, because eating chalk can be an alarming symptom.

What is chalk ... and what it is eaten with

Natural chalk is a rock of plant origin. 65 years ago, scientists found that it was formed not from the remains of mollusks and animals, but from the remains of coccoliths - algae that secrete lime. Natural chalk is 98% calcium carbonate, the rest is metal oxides and magnesium carbonate.

Chalk is insoluble in water, but soluble in acids - hydrochloric and acetic. Mining is carried out in chalk quarries, and the deep layers of the rock are considered especially valuable. The problem is that the rock is in a wet state and it is not easy to get it, because it sticks to the equipment.

Unenriched chalk is the raw material for the production of lime, which is still used to paint walls, ceilings in houses, and tree trunks. Lime is an alkali, so it is used by land reclamators to deoxidize soils. In general, chalk has a very wide range of applications, in addition, it is a food additive (stabilizer E170).

Eating calcium carbonate is not prohibited, but on the contrary, it is encouraged in every possible way, and here, the main thing is to know when to stop. True, it should be a natural product, packaged in bags and not containing foreign impurities and dyes. So, chewing school colored crayons is not necessary, since there is an edible alternative to them.

Why does a person want chalk?

There is an opinion that the desire to eat chalk occurs due to calcium deficiency in the body. And it is true. But there are diseases, the appearance of which radically changes the taste preferences of a person. It's just that the body is trying in such an unusual way to debug the work of internal organs and restore metabolism. There are five main causes of melody:

1. Anemia. There are people who consume up to 10 kg of edible chalk per month. It's just a gigantic amount. Why are they doing this? To eliminate iron deficiency, because iron oxide is part of natural chalk, albeit in a meager amount. Melody in this case will not solve the problem, so it is recommended to consult a doctor who will prescribe an iron-containing drug or recommend iron-rich foods for consumption.
2. Pregnancy. Ladies who are in an “interesting position” are distinguished by a certain “sophistication of taste”: either give them salty or sweet. And almost everyone “hooks” on chalk, and some so much that they gnaw at walls plastered or whitewashed with a colloidal solution of lime. Why go to such extremes, because edible chalk is sold, which can be consumed in quantities recommended by your doctor. It is noteworthy that melody for women is not a whim, but a vital necessity, because with a lack of calcium, the unborn child begins to “pull” it from the bones and teeth of the mother.
3. Pathology of the thyroid gland. This phenomenon is rare, but it does happen. The fact is that thyroid diseases provoke a rapid removal of calcium from the body, which requires immediate compensation. That is, dysfunction of the thyroid gland provokes a person to eat chalk.
4. Pathology of the liver. If this organ does not work properly, this does not mean that it was struck down by some kind of ailment. It's just that a person pays insufficient attention to his diet, and abuses smoked meats, fried and fatty foods, as well as sweets and flour products. If you start eating right, then the desire to eat chalk will disappear.
5. Inadequate intake of vitamins D, E, C. Calcium from food can be properly absorbed if the balance of these vitamins in the body is optimal. The ratio should be as follows: 1:2:3. Most often, people are unaware that the problem lies in the deficiency of vitamins, so they use chalk, as the body signals a lack of calcium.

Can you eat chalk? What and how much?

Calcium in its pure form is absorbed by the body very poorly, and melancholy is not the best way to solve the problem. If you really want to eat chalk, then you should avoid eating technical, stationery and feed options, since they are not intended for human consumption, and may contain chemical impurities and additives.

Recommended rate- a maximum of three small pieces of lumpy chalk or a tablespoon of powdered chalk. And it is better to give preference to an artificially recreated analogue - calcium gluconate, which has a similar taste.

Consequences of melody

An excess of chalk in the body is dangerous to health! It tends to settle in the internal organs and on the walls of blood vessels, which prevents them from working properly. An excess of calcium carbonate leads to the appearance of kidney stones, diabetes mellitus, liming of the inner walls of blood vessels and pancreatitis.

When this substance enters the stomach, it mixes with hydrochloric acid, which provokes strong gas formation, and subsequently leads to the destruction of the gastric mucosa. And this is a direct road to ulcers and gastritis.

Stationery (school chalk) is a very dangerous “product”, because it contains, in addition to calcium carbonate, dyes and gypsum. There are even more impurities in construction chalk, and fodder chalk is very unpleasant in taste and provokes belching.

If you want chalk, what should you do?

1. If it is known for certain that there is a direct link between melodicism and iron deficiency, then it is recommended to find other ways of iron intake into the body. There are people who cannot take iron supplements because they are allergic to them. This means that you should include foods rich in iron in your diet: liver and offal, meat, apples, sauerkraut, citrus fruits, fish, berries.
2. Consideration should be given to the use of calcium gluconate and other preparations containing chalk.
3. Calcium deficiency is eliminated in a folk way: you need to take an egg shell, grind it in a coffee grinder to a powdery state. The resulting powder can be added to dishes or consumed dry in an amount not exceeding 1 tsp. For better absorption of calcium, it is recommended to drink this "drug" with any sour juice or fruit drink (cranberry, orange, etc.). It is noteworthy that the crushed eggshell is not deposited on the walls of blood vessels and in the internal organs. But this does not mean that you can eat an incredible amount of it. Why? As the classic said: the taste is specific.
4. The desire to gnaw something is also the cause of melody. The role of this “something” may well be nuts or the same apples.
5. Nutrition optimization is a good way to fix the problem and a reason to contact a dietitian who will make an individual diet.

Whatever the reason for such an unusual food addiction, meloeders should take care to purchase their favorite product. It is better to purchase it at a pharmacy, although people who managed to "get" natural chalk mined in a quarry were incredibly lucky. After all, they can taste an environmentally friendly product that is not spoiled by "chemistry". But you can’t eat this delicacy every day - only a few times a month.

What desires do not express pregnant women! Serve them salted watermelons in the middle of winter, then herring with jam, and even in the middle of the night. And there are those who want chalk and at the same time can buy it in stationery and eat almost a whole box or secretly lick their fingers, stained on the whitewashed wall in the entrance ...

Someone will smile at such “quirks” of expectant mothers, shrug their shoulders understandingly and spread their arms: they say, this may not be desirable during this period. However, let's see why almost every third pregnant woman wants chalk, and is it dangerous for their health and the health of the unborn baby?

Why you want chalk during pregnancy:

Often, the desire to consume a particular product is not associated with a conscious choice, but with the essential needs of the body, because during pregnancy the female body spends most of the nutrients on. If these substances are not enough in the body, then there is a desire to eat something in order to replenish their supply.

The desire of the expectant mother to eat chalk most often arises due to violations of the vitamin and mineral balance or other metabolic disorders. The most common reasons for this may be:

• toxicosis of pregnant women,
• violation of calcium metabolism,
• Iron-deficiency anemia.

Having found out the reason for such an unusual desire of a pregnant woman, it is also necessary to pay attention to the fact that along with this there may be other symptoms that may indicate much more serious problems.

- toxicosis of pregnant women

In the early stages of pregnancy, women often suffer from toxicosis, and this is a completely normal reaction of the body to "foreign" cells, which is the embryo for the mother's immune system (after all, half of its DNA code belongs to the father of the unborn child). Manifestations of early toxicosis continue until the final formation of the placenta occurs. And all this time, a woman can experience:

• nausea and vomiting,
• taste changes,
• exacerbation and change of smell.

Sometimes toxicosis manifests itself so strongly that not only a change in the general condition is observed, but also due to physical exhaustion and dehydration of the expectant mother, she loses weight. Particularly severe forms of toxicosis are accompanied by disturbances in the work of the cardiovascular system, liver and kidneys, which can most seriously affect the condition of the fetus. That is why the progression of toxicosis should not be allowed.

- violation of calcium metabolism

Chalk, as you know, consists of inorganic salts - carbonates, and the main element of these compounds is calcium. Therefore, if there is a shortage in the body of a woman during pregnancy, there may be a desire to replenish the deficit due to calcareous substances.

But in addition to the “calcareous food fad”, with calcium deficiency, its other symptoms can also be observed, which can appear much earlier than the desire to eat chalk:

• brittleness and fading of hair,
• dryness and decreased elasticity of the skin,
• fragility and delamination of nails,
• dental problems and caries,
• fatigue and irritability
• muscle spasms and cramps,
• and constipation
• osteochondrosis.

Sometimes the desire to eat chalk is so great that women cannot resist, but there will be no benefit from this, because the calcium in it is in the form of an inorganic salt that is not absorbed by the body. Moreover, if a woman does this repeatedly, then in the future eating chalk can have quite serious consequences:

• heartburn,
• constipation,
• cardiovascular disorders,
• stones in the kidneys.

And this is not the whole list, but more on that later.

Therefore, when a pregnant woman wants to eat chalk, you need to look for other signs of a calcium deficiency, and look for more acceptable ways to satisfy this desire.

- Iron-deficiency anemia

For some reason, many people think that anemia during pregnancy is quite normal. But this is an erroneous opinion, because if a lower level of blood hemoglobin in expectant mothers is acceptable, it should not be lower than 110g / l. And the level of erythrocytes in her should not be lower than 3.6 * 1012 / l. Otherwise, anemia!

During pregnancy, iron deficiency conditions are most often diagnosed, in which, in addition to the desire to eat chalk, the following symptoms also appear:

• general weakness and fatigue,
• dizziness,
• paleness and dryness of the skin,
• brittle hair,
• darkening of nails
• cracks in the corners of the lips (jamming),
• atrophic processes in the oral cavity, esophagus,
• change in taste sensations
• cardiopalmus,
• dyspnea.

Therefore, with iron deficiency in the body, the desire to eat chalk is not just a signal of a decrease in the mineral element in the blood serum, but a manifestation of the depletion of its tissue reserves. Anemia during pregnancy quite often manifests itself as an unnatural or perverted taste addiction.

How to determine the reason for the desire to eat chalk?

You can determine the reason for the desire to taste a piece of chalk at the stage of a medical examination of the expectant mother, but the final answer is given after laboratory tests:

• clinical blood test,
• biochemical blood test (serum iron, ionized and total calcium),
• general urine analysis.

This will reveal the "culprits" of the appearance of unusual taste desires in a pregnant woman: it will reveal a deficiency of calcium and iron. However, although the reason will be found, the desire to eat chalk will not disappear, and it must be satisfied. But just do not gnaw crayons from the stationery store! This is not a dietary supplement!

Why are stationery or school crayons and whitewash chalk dangerous?

Doctors unanimously oppose the eating of stationery and school crayons by pregnant women, and they explain their ban as follows:

1. Both chalk and crayons contain chemical additives and impurities - chalk stones for rodents, gypsum, lime, adhesive binder, sand, dyes, which are harmful to the health of both the mother and her crumbs;

2. As a result, the mother's body is poisoned (and the toxins also reach the baby), and such vital organs suffer, such as:

• liver (it removes toxins from the body),
• kidneys (stones form there),
• respiratory tract (chalk dries the epithelium of the larynx),
• vessels (chalk settles on the walls, which causes their liming and leads to cardiovascular diseases),
• tooth enamel (solid particles scratch it, which further leads to the development of caries and other diseases of the oral cavity, even stomatitis is possible),
• intestines and digestive organs (solid particles scratch the mucous membrane, chalk dries the epithelium, thereby contributing to the formation of microcracks, in which pathogenic microorganisms then develop, and in the stomach, when interacting with hydrochloric acid, chalk causes a violent gas formation reaction, similar to that which occurs when lime is slaked, destroying the epithelium).

3. Obstetricians and gynecologists do not recommend the use of chalk for the reason that it can affect the elasticity of the reproductive tract, resulting in difficulties during childbirth (for example, tears or obstruction associated with "cementing" tissues).

4. In addition, the use of chalk can also affect the development of the child - up to the overgrowth of the fontanelle and the deformation of the bones of the fetus or the loss of their elasticity, which again will affect the process of childbirth.

As for chalk for whitewashing (construction) or intended for animals, all of the above applies to them too, even with even greater health risks.

Where can you find edible chalk?

In some forums, when discussing this topic, you can read information that chalk mined in a quarry is a pure “product” that does not contain impurities added during the manufacture of construction chalk or crayons. However, no one will give you a guarantee that there is no sand and dirt in the quarry chalk.

Unfortunately for pregnant women (and those who suffer from similar desires of the body), food chalk is not produced on an industrial scale.

What can replace chalk without harm to health:

When the reason for the desire to eat chalk has already been clarified, care should be taken to rid the woman of this feeling. This can be done only by normalizing the metabolic processes in the body. For this, first of all, an appropriate diet (with a high content of missing elements and minerals), as well as drug therapy, is used.

- diet

A pregnant woman who wants chalk, analyzing her diet, should take into account that the presence of fatty and fried foods in it prevents the incoming calcium from being absorbed in full. Therefore, when compiling a menu, give preference to fresh vegetables and fruits (this is good for digestion), as well as fermented milk products (they will compensate for the lack of calcium in a natural way).

To replenish the body's reserves of calcium and iron, the following will be useful:

• cottage cheese, kefir, sour cream, fermented baked milk, hard cheeses, yogurts,
• beef, liver, pork,
• boiled or stewed fish and canned fish with bones (such as sardines),
• porridge - buckwheat, oatmeal,
• celery, parsley, onion, carrot,
• spinach and lettuce leaves,
• almonds, seeds,
• dried apricots, raisins, prunes, dates.

A natural source of calcium is eggshell - it can be ground in a coffee grinder and added to ready-made meals 0.3-0.5 g 2-3 times a day. One serving of this powder contains about 38% calcium, which is absorbed by the body 3 times faster than chemically obtained calcium.

It's no secret to anyone that proper nutrition This is a guarantee of the health of the expectant mother and the normal development of the fetus. But at the same time, you need to eat varied and regularly, giving up the use of alcoholic and carbonated drinks, as well as smoking. Outdoor walks are also important, during which vitamin D accumulates through the skin.

- medical preparations

If the diet does not cope with the task, then you will have to connect a more effective method - medications, the intake of which is best coordinated with the doctor leading the pregnancy.

There are a number of drugs that are designed to help women cope with certain problems during pregnancy, without harming the intrauterine development of the fetus:

• Calcium preparations (calcium glucanate, Calcium D3). Just calcium glucanate is a kind of pharmaceutical variety of chalk, which is suitable for ingestion (not 100% chalk, but the composition is much safer than crayons), but in order to satisfy the desire to “nibble on chalk”, it’s just right. However, you should not lean on this drug, because. excessive passion for it can cause constipation, lead to liming of the mucous epithelium of connective tissues, and even provoke the development of diabetes, atherosclerosis, heart attack or pancreatitis.
• Iron preparations (Gino-Tardiferon, Totem).
• Vitamins (group B, folic and ascorbic acids).
• Vitamin-mineral complexes for pregnant women (Vitrum, Prenatal). Their concentration is within the daily norm, so coordinate the dosage with your doctor.

Be healthy!

Specially for- Elena Kichak

Most of those who eat chalk consider it a neutral product that cannot cause harm. On this issue, scientists are divided in opinion and cannot answer unequivocally in the direction of the benefits or harms of eating chalk for food. They know only one thing - craving for such a product can signal a malfunction of the body and the fact that it lacks something. In such cases, it is desirable to determine why you want to eat chalk.

I want to eat chalk: what is missing in the body

It is generally accepted that if you really want chalk, then the body is sorely lacking in iron or calcium. This need of the body must be paid attention to, especially if a person cannot resist such a “dish” or is ready to sit for hours and enjoy the smell of a freshly whitened room.

Often a similar condition is observed in pregnant women, because their body at this time needs much more useful vitamins and minerals. All those who use chalk for food (not only pregnant women) prefer lump chalk, because the natural product contains calcium, which is so necessary for the formation of tissues, bones, nerve cells, nails, hair, cartilage. It also has a positive effect on the functioning of internal organs, the condition of children's skin.

In this case, you need to pay special attention to your food, switch to balanced and proper food, try to buy only natural products.

The lack of calcium in the body must be compensated. Therefore, do not ignore the desire to eat a piece of chalk in combination with such symptoms as frequent fractures, caries, weak brittle hair, often exfoliating nail plate, muscle cramps, poor skin elasticity.

The craving for the use of chalk as food can also speak of endocrine disorders in the body. Diseases of the thyroid gland can provoke the rapid excretion of calcium from the body. In this case, only its replenishment is not enough, you need to be examined and cure the disease.

In very rare situations, those who like to eat food chalk have mental disorders. They just need to calm down and eat something. Such people can eat more than 500 gr. product per day. There is no benefit here. If you can’t overcome such an addiction on your own (get distracted by something or replace chalk with nuts, seeds, pieces of fruit), then it’s better to contact a psychologist.

Where do you get chalk for food

Only in Russia there are about a hundred places where natural chalk is mined, but there are 3 special zones where the level of their production is highest.

1. Volgograd region. About 25% of all chalk reserves in the country are stored in the quarry. The mineral mined here is considered one of the highest quality in the country. The amount of impurities in the chalk does not exceed 2%, which, if desired, allows you to eat it. There are some problems in getting it. They are associated with great content water in chalk.
2. Belgorod region. About 23% of the Cretaceous reserves of Russia are located here. Good quality is possible due to 98% carbonate content in it.
3. The Saratov region has only 11% of Russia's chalk reserves.

Those who like to eat chalk should keep in mind that not all of it is equally useful. With caution, you need to use lump chalk. It is not advisable to eat school chalk, since it may contain dyes, gypsum and glue. The ban on use due to minor impurities also applies to goods purchased in construction stores or only mined in a quarry. Chalk that is fed to animals is also not advisable to try, since it rarely undergoes a cleaning procedure. The best option for food would be food grade chalk.

The use of chalk: the benefits

The question of the benefits and harms of edible chalk for the body has been open for a long time. Scientists claim that there is a positive effect after drinking chalk. Moderate consumption of it in food contributes to:

• Prevention of caries and strengthening of the skeletal system.
• Restoration of health and beauty of nails, hair, skin.
• With reasonable use, chalk has a positive effect on the functioning of the digestive tract.
• Makes joints more mobile and muscles elastic.
• Improves metabolic processes in the body.
• Chalk affects the normalization of the cardiovascular system.

Chalk eating and pregnancy

If you want chalk during pregnancy, then this can be explained by the same lack of calcium and the increased need for vitamins and minerals during pregnancy. In addition, food habits during this period change markedly. According to the results of the study, craving for chalk occurs in approximately 20% of all pregnant women.

Is it possible to eat chalk during pregnancy and will there be any benefit? Scientists say that this is more psychological relief and satisfaction of one's "I want" than saturation of the body with minerals with the help of such food. To replenish the amount of necessary elements for pregnant women, it is better to pay attention to the right food.

If you want to eat chalk, then 1-2 small pieces taken as food will not bring any harm. expectant mother, nor the fetus (provided that it does not contain harmful substances).

Chalk use by children

If the child is also addicted to eating chalk, it is better to dissuade him from this product. 100% harm of chalk for a child's body as food has not been proven, but its constant use can adversely affect a child's health:

• Promotes the accumulation of toxins in the body.
• Chalk impairs the health of children's delicate gums and can scratch delicate baby teeth. This will provoke the onset of diseases of the oral cavity.
• Frequent use of chalk by children can dry out the epithelium of the larynx, digestive and respiratory organs, small cracks may appear, which will become an ideal breeding ground for harmful microorganisms.

If a lack of calcium or iron is found in a child or adult body, then the constant eating of chalk will not save the situation. It is better to buy food chalk at a pharmacy or pay attention to pharmaceutical preparations with these minerals or increase foods that are rich in them in your diet. In the latter case, you should pay attention to dairy products, buckwheat, pork or beef liver, prunes and pomegranates, bananas, apples, apricots, black and red homemade berries. Do not neglect the dishes of fish, seaweed, vegetables. Nuts, dairy products, decoctions of wild rose, citrus fruits will also be relevant.

Possible harm of chalk to the health of an adult

Many, at the first sign of a lack of calcium or iron in the body, try to buy food chalk and make up for their deficiency in a natural way. But they do not take into account that such food (especially its excessive consumption) can negatively respond to the health of an adult:

• Chalk can be deposited on the walls of blood vessels and in the kidneys, on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. The risk of kidney stones increases.
• After it enters the stomach, it can provoke the destruction of the epithelium and the formation of gases (especially if hydrochloric acid also occurs).
• Greater risk of increased blood clotting.
• The risk of diseases of the endocrine system increases.
• Decreased muscle tone.
• Chalk as food can provoke a violation of the acidity of the stomach.

Unpleasant consequences are mainly caused not by the chalk itself, but by its poor quality or too frequent use.

If you use chalk in food, then it is better to buy a special product in a pharmacy. It is necessary to pay attention to its characteristics: the color is only white (there should not be any inclusions of another color). Quality chalk should only be dry, clean and smooth. Its texture is delicate and fragile, but should not crumble in the hands. Only when choosing such a product, you can, although not get the maximum benefit from it, but also not harm the body.

Online stores can also become an analogue of pharmacies for buying chalk. But the selection of goods in them must be approached thoroughly, having previously studied the features of the reputation of the form and reviews about it. This is important in order not to fall for the tricks of low-quality chalk manufacturers.

If you want to constantly eat chalk and the desire increases every day, it is better to contact a therapist and undergo some examinations.

The article was checked by the doctor Krizhanovskaya Elizaveta Anatolyevna.