Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff: Scurvy
Sep 18, 2019
Scurvy isn't just a historical oddity; it once plagued sailors and explorers due to vitamin C deficiency. Learn how a simple orange can be a life-saver, while the lack of it leads to miserable symptoms like swollen gums and tooth loss. The critical link between vitamin C and collagen synthesis reveals why scurvy wreaks havoc on our bodies. From James Lind’s groundbreaking discovery about citrus fruits to modern implications in low-income areas, this discussion blends history with humor.
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Scurvy Development
- Scurvy develops from a vitamin C deficiency over months, not days or weeks.
- It can occur even with access to vitamin C-rich foods if one chooses not to eat them.
Vitamin C Sources
- Many fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamin C, not just citrus fruits.
- Broccoli, for example, contains twice the vitamin C of an orange.
Vitamin C Synthesis
- Many mammals can produce their own vitamin C.
- Humans, primates, guinea pigs, and fruit bats have lost this ability.