Tag: Sailor s disease

Historically, scurvy was a common scourge among sailors on long voyages, but it is caused by a simple deficiency. The key nutrient associated with scurvy is vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid. A prolonged and severe lack of this vital nutrient in the diet leads to the breakdown of essential bodily functions, resulting in the disease.

According to the World Health Organization, vitamin C deficiency still affects millions of people globally, making scurvy a relevant health concern even today. The condition serves as a powerful example of a deficiency disease, demonstrating how a simple lack of a single nutrient can cause severe systemic health problems.

According to research, scurvy killed millions of sailors between the 15th and 18th centuries, a devastating nutritional disease that was eventually solved through a groundbreaking experiment. Learning how was scurvy cured offers critical insights into the importance of vitamin-rich nutrition for human health.