 Scurvy is a disease caused by a serious vitamin C (ascorbic acid) deficiency. Not eating enough fruits and vegetables is the main cause of the disease. Left untreated, scurvy can lead to bleeding gums, loosened teeth and bleeding under your skin. Treatment for the condition includes getting plenty of vitamin C in your diet. Dietary supplements are also available. A deficiency severe enough to cause scurvy is rare now, because most people get enough of the nutrient in their diet. The condition is still a problem in countries around the world where people are malnourished. The rates of vitamin C deficiency around the world vary. In the U.S., 7.1% of people may develop a deficiency. In north India, the rate is 73.9%. However, severe deficiency that causes scurvy is rare. Some of the earliest evidence for a disorder suggesting scurvy dates to 3800 - 3600 BC, captured in characteristic bone changes in the skeleton of a roughly one-year-old child in Egypt. The first clear-cut descriptions of the disorder appear in the records of the medieval Crusades. Scurvy is probably best known as an affliction that used to be common in sailors. Toward the end of the 15th century, scurvy became the major cause of disability and mortality among sailors on long sea voyages. In 1753 Scottish naval surgeon James Lind showed that scurvy could be cured and prevented by ingestion of the juice of oranges and lemons. Soon citrus fruits became so common aboard ship that British sailors were referred to as 'limeys'.   Vitamin C is a very important nutrient for your body. It’s responsible for the development, growth and healing of your skin, bones and connective tissue. In addition, you need vitamin C for your blood vessels to function properly. Vitamin C helps maintain your teeth and gums. It helps your body absorb iron, which it needs to make red blood cells. Vitamin C also helps heal burns and other wounds. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, meaning it protects your cells against damage from free radicals, which are byproducts of normal cell activity. In North America, scurvy most commonly affects babies, children and older adults who don’t get enough vitamin C in their diet for at least three months. Risk factors for developing the condition include: If left untreated, more severe symptoms may start to develop. These may include:    |