Re: Is lack of a critical substance giving cravings for food containing it?

Date: Sun Aug 12 17:36:39 2001
Posted By: David Hubble, Staff, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Nottingham
Area of science: General Biology
ID: 992638727.Gb

Message:


Hi Mikael

Yes, organisms can detect a deficient nutrient. For example, giraffes are 
known to eat old bones because they contain calcium phosphate, and the 
plants and soils in tropical regions tend to be deficient in phosphorus, 
an essential mineral.

I hope that helps,

Dr David Hubble,
Leicester, UK

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