Scurvy

Scurvy  is a disease Caused by not eating enough vitamin C . People who have scurvy get spots on their skin, especially at the legs. Their teeth may loosen and fall out. They may be out of the mouth, nose, and gums . A person with scurvy will look pale and feel sad . They will not be able to move easily, because their joints hurt.  

In the suit, sailors used to get scurvy because fresh fruits and meat could not be kept for as long as they were at sea. In 1747, James Lind discovered thatthis was the main cause of scurvy. Not many people get scurvy now in rich countries.  

At first, a person with scurvy may:

  1. Feel sad (slight depression)
  2. Lose weight or not get heavier even though they eat a lot
  3. diarrhea
  4. Breathe fast 
  5. have a high body temperature or fever

A bit later a person with scurvy may:

  1. Feel angry 
  2. Have pains in the legs and tenderness
  3. Find it hard to move 
  4. Have swelling of the arms and legs
  5. Bleed from the mouth, nose and gums

     It takes about 6 months of vitamin C deprivation to begin inducing the symptoms of scurvy. Untreated scurvy is always fatal

Eating vitamin C prevents scurvy. How much vitamin C a person needs changes with age . The following is the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Research Council's advice on how much vitamin C to eat every day:  

  • Infants (babies): 30-40 mg
  • Children and adults: 45-60 m
  • pregnant women: 70- 90

Foods with a lot of vitamin C include the following:

  • Citrus fruits (for example: oranges, limes)
  • Berries
  • Cantaloupe
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Cabbage
  • Spinach
  • Potatoes
  • Tomatoes
  • Strawberries