GEOPHAGIC PRACTICE AND ITS POSSIBLE HEALTH IMPLICATIONS – A REVIEW

Ogidi Odangowei I. & Omu Okiemute

Department of Science Laboratory Technology,

Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Email: oodangowei@yahoo.com

Abstract: Geophagia is the habitual and intentional ingestion of soil and clay deposits by humans and animals. It is a controversial centuries-old practice, common to all societies yet deeply frowned upon by many. The practice is due to reasons of culture, medicinal, religious and mineral deficiency. Geophagia has been reported to be common among pregnant women, lactating women, school children and people with psychiatric disorders and this is evidenced by the sale of geophagic materials in markets across Africa. Geophagia may be beneficial or detrimental to human health. Beneficial aspects include the use of kaolin as antidiarrhoeals, and for the allevation of gastrointestinal upsets, supplementation of mineral nutrients and relief of excess acidity in the digestive tract. Certain clays or soils have been identified as having special constituents, valuable as oral and topical antimicrobials as well adsorbents to toxins. Geophagia has been associated with iron deficiency anaemia. Other health implications of geophagia include constipation, intestinal obstruction, dental damage, peritonitis and eclampsia. Whatever the possible benefits that may accrue from such a habit, the risk of ingesting the eggs of parasitic worms as well as exposure to highly toxic bacteria and heavy metal poisoning cannot be excluded. The interplay of factors involved in geophagia, though varied, complicated and researched may not have been fully known.