Natural Medicine

» ralphie89 - I've read archived discussions on this subject.

I have been eating cornstarch baby powder for over three years now. I started during pregnancy, but the compulsion has increased drastically over the past year. I have to have it to deal with stress or to relax.

-- posted by ralphie89

» Victoria Anisman-Reiner - Cornstarch

In response to I've read archived discussions on this subject. posted by ralphie89:
Most baby powder and body powders are a combination of rice, corn, and other edible starches, usually with a preservative or scent. I'm guessing that you're talking about a natural one, without synthetic preservatives, but regardless corn starch is a highly refined carbohydrate and is not ideal for the human body.

It sounds like you might benefit from a candida cleanse or an alternate option to break the craving for this high-glycemic sugar.

» Caveman22 - Cornstarch

Cornstarch is a very well cleaned natural product, to call it refine is not correct. The cleaning process varies from different processing plants, but revolve arround getting the corn protein (glutin) to let go of the indevidual corn starch granuals. The final separation is a physical one with pure water, & the final corn starch granual is essentially identical (physically & chemically right down to a molecular basis)to how it was in the corn.

-- posted by Caveman22

» Victoria Anisman-Reiner - Cornstarch

In response to Cornstarch posted by Caveman22:

I think you're taking issue with the wording of my answer. By using the word refined, I mean only that the carbohydrate ("starch") component of the corn has been isolated, so that it is a pure, processed, high-glycemic food and will spike your blood glucose levels. The impact of the starch on blood sugar is what I was addressing.

Thanks for your comment!

» Caveman22 - Cornstarch

In response to Cornstarch posted by OilsDragon:

O.K. However there is another factor one should be aware of in the case of raw (uncooked) starch, our gut is not normally (people differ a lot)capable of attacking & converting all the raw corn starch into glucose. If the starch is cooked out, it will all be converted.
In the case of raw corn starch I would doubt if more than ~10% is oconverted to glucose, with ~10 % being converted to starch polymers Dp10(dextrose polymer 10 units long) - Dp1000. I am uncertain as to the polymer length that is able to be absorbed, but some should ferment in the lower intestine, & some pass out untoutched - depending on a person's intestinal flura at the time.

-- posted by Caveman22

» lilt4571 - I've read archived discussions on this subject.

In response to I've read archived discussions on this subject. posted by ralphie89:

I dont eat cornstarch i eat baby powder and it makes me feel complete when i eat it i crave for it all day long when i am at work or out and about i crave it so much that now i keep one at work, in my pocketbook and in my car i really need to find another alternative to eating powder because i dont think that it is all that healthy if anyone have another alternative please let me know

STRUNG OUT ON POWDER

-- posted by lilt4571

» baby4 - I've read archived discussions on this subject.

In response to I've read archived discussions on this subject. posted by ralphie89:

hello So ive heardif I keep eating powder it can harm my baby.That he might be addicted or allergic to it .Have you ever heard that.

-- posted by baby4

» Victoria Anisman-Reiner - Eating baby powder

In response to I've read archived discussions on this subject. posted by lilt4571:

Hi lilt4571,

What you're describing sounds like an addictive behaviour. Would you consider seeing a therapist, a counsellor, or speaking to an expert on addictions? They can probably help you more than I can.

Best wishes.

» Victoria Anisman-Reiner - I've read archived discussions on this subject.

In response to I've read archived discussions on this subject. posted by baby4:

baby4,

Any food or substance that we are exposed to on a repeated basis can become an allergy - this is especially true of foods like corn, sugar, wheat, yeast, eggs, nuts, and other common allergens and sensitivity triggers.

I don't know whether you're pregnant or breastfeeding, or how much corn starch/baby powder you might be eating, but if you're anything like the previous few who've asked, I'd suggest eliminating the powder from your diet. If this is difficult, please see consider speaking with a counselor, a therapist or an expert on addictions for assitance.

Blessings,
~Victoria

» woowoo36 - I've read archived discussions on this subject.

In response to I've read archived discussions on this subject. posted by lilt4571:

I had the same addiction myself for many years, and it began to get out of control until this time last year. That is when I went to see my doctor. It turned out that I was anemic. Once I got a prescription for Iron, the compulsions ceased. As a result, I no longer crave baby powder.

-- posted by woowoo36