Dangers of eating edible clay : ulo, Nzu and Eko The fact that they are called “edible” does not necessarily mean they are completely safe to eat. 1. Lead and heavy-metal poisoning Some clay can contain lead, arsenic, cadmium and other toxic metals. These can build up in the body and affect the nervous system, kidneys and other organs. 2. Anaemia and iron deficiency Eating clay can interfere with the body’s absorption of iron and other nutrients, which may contribute to or worsen iron deficiency and anaemia. 3. Constipation and intestinal blockage Eating large amounts can cause severe constipation. In some cases, clay can accumulate and harden in the digestive tract and cause an intestinal blockage. 4. Parasitic and other infections Because clay comes from the ground, it can be contaminated with parasites, bacteria, parasite eggs or other harmful organisms, depending on where it was obtained and how it was processed. 5. Poor absorption of nutrients Some clays can bind nutrients such as iron and zinc, reducing the amount your body can absorb from food. 6. Possible kidney and organ damage Toxic metals such as lead and cadmium can affect organs including the kidneys and liver when exposure is significant or prolonged. 7. Pregnancy risks This is especially concerning during pregnancy because contaminated clay can expose the mother and developing baby to toxic metals, which may affect the baby’s growth and development. 8. Dental damage Regularly chewing hard clay can wear down or damage the teeth. One important thing to remember is that the risk is not necessarily the same for every ulo, Nzu or Eko. The composition can vary depending on where the clay came from and how it was processed. So please don’t assume that something is safe simply because people have traditionally eaten it. Please share. Someone you know may need to see this.