Scurvy reappears in Australia, highlighting lack of Vitamin C in diets

Scurvy, a disease historically associated with old-world sailors on long voyages, is making a surprise comeback in Australia with health officials on Tuesday revealing a spate of cases.

Caused by vitamin C deficiency, it used to be a common, and often fatal, curse among seafarers who went months without fresh fruit and vegetables.

Now considered rare, it is reappearing due to poor dietary habits, said Jenny Gunton, who heads the Centre for Diabetes, Obesity and Endocrinology research at the Westmead Institute in Sydney. She discovered the disease after several of her patients with wounds failed to heal.

“When I asked about their diet, one person was eating little or no fresh fruit and vegetables, but the rest ate fair amounts of vegetables; they were simply overcooking them, which destroys the vitamin C,” she said. “It highlights a danger that you can consume plenty of calories, yet not receive enough nutrients.”

The scurvy diagnosis for 12 patients was made based on blood tests and symptoms, with all cured by a simple course of vitamin C.

A lack of vitamin C can lead to defective formation of collagen and connective tissues, which can cause bruising, bleeding gums, blood spots in the skin, joint pain and impaired wound healing.