Tag: Scurvy causes

While scurvy is rare in developed countries today, affecting an estimated 7.1% of people with vitamin C deficiency in the US, it signals a severe lack of ascorbic acid, which is critical for many bodily functions. This nutritional disease, historically infamous among sailors, is caused by the body's inability to produce its own vitamin C.

According to the National Institutes of Health, vitamin C deficiency is more likely in people with a limited diet, smokers, those with malabsorption issues, and individuals with chronic diseases. Maintaining adequate vitamin C levels is crucial for immune function, collagen production, and overall health.

According to the World Health Organization, while once common in developed countries, deficiency diseases like scurvy and rickets have seen a recent resurgence. This article explores what are the two deficiency diseases and their causes, focusing on these specific conditions.

Historically, scurvy claimed millions of sailors' lives while rickets caused widespread bone deformities during the industrial era. Modern medicine recognizes that what are the causes of rickets and scurvy are primarily linked to nutritional deficits, malabsorption, and, in some cases, genetic factors.

An estimated two million sailors died from scurvy between the 16th and 18th centuries alone, often decimating entire ship crews. The debilitating condition, which is caused by a lack of vitamin C, was a grim reality for many historical populations, leading to immense suffering and death.