Scurvy is a rare disease that occurs when you are severely deficient of vitamin C. Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is important for proper growth, development and repair of your body tissues. Although scurvy is uncommon in recent years, it may still be found in elderly individuals who do not receive proper nutrition. If you develop symptoms of scurvy, consult a health care professional.
Scurvy
Scurvy is an ancient disease that is recorded as far back as 1550 B.C. The disease was common among early sea explorers, who used a Native American remedy involving pine needle extract as a cure. Pine needles have since been found to contain five times the amount of vitamin C as lemons, according to "American Survival Guide." Later explorers began using lemon juice to prevent and treat scurvy, after the 1617 publication of "The Surgeon's Mate" by Drs. John Woodall and James Lind. The work of these doctors was influential in the reduction in deaths due to scurvy.
Symptoms
Scurvy can manifest in painful ways. It may cause sore, bleeding gums, muscle and bone pain and spontaneous bleeding and bruising. The condition also causes brown spots on the skin, fatigue and depression. People who are deficient in vitamin C may develop anemia, or low iron in the blood, since vitamin C helps your body absorb iron. Serious cases of scurvy may result in abnormal liver function and severe hemorrhaging.
Importance of Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for the growth and repair of your body. It forms an important protein called collagen, which connects and supports your skin, bones, tendons, muscles and cartilage. The nutrient is also an antioxidant and protects your body from free radical damage, which can accelerate aging and contribute to age-related health conditions such as cancer and heart disease.
Sources of Vitamin C
Vitamin C is found abundantly in fruits, including berries, melons and especially citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruit. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower are also good sources of vitamin C, along with peppers, potatoes and green, leafy vegetables. You may also purchase dietary supplements, which come in tablets or in chewable form. Be careful to choose a high-quality supplement that will deliver the vitamin in a time-released fashion, since your body can only absorb small quantities at a time.
References
- Medscape; Scurvy; Lynne Goebel, MD, et al.; June 2011
- Medline Plus; Vitamin C; Alison Evert, MS, et al.; February 2011
- MayoClinic.com; Nutrition and Healthy Eating; Too Much Vitamin C: Harmful?; Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.; March 2010
- "American Survival Guide"; Pine Soup; February 1990
- National Institutes of Health; Collagen: The Fibrous Proteins of the Matrix; 2000
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