Sierra Bakken
Biology 200
Will Brown
What Is Scurvy?
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Scurvy is a vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
deficiency that results from a few weeks to
months of no vitamin C or 20 to 40 days
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We’ve known of it since ancient Greek and
Egyptian times
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It was most common in sailors throughout the
16th-18th century due to vitamin C deprivation
for long periods of time
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Cases today are rare
Why Do We Need Vitamin C?
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Vitamin C is essential for the production of collagen and the absorption of
iron
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We are unable to make vitamin C on our own so we need to get it from other
sources like citrus fruits
Causes
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It is caused by environmental factors, not genetic factors
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Deprivation of vitamin C due to famine, anorexia, restrictive diets, or difficulty orally ingesting
foods
Who Is Susceptible?
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It affects all races with no sexual disposition
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It can occur at any age
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Elderly people, alcoholics, or those that have a diet with little to no fruits and vegetables
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You will also see it in countries that suffer from famine
Symptoms
Early Symptoms
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Appetite loss, poor weight gain, diarrhea, rapid breathing, fever,
irritability, tenderness and discomfort in legs, swelling over long
bones, bleeding, and feelings of paralysis
Progressed Symptoms
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Bleeding of the gums, loosened teeth, petechial hemorrhage of the
skin and mucous membranes, bleeding in the eye, proptopsis of
the eyeball, constochondral beading, hyperkeratosis, corkscrew
hair, and sicca syndrome
Prevention
Eat foods rich in vitamin C
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Oranges
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Bell peppers
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Broccoli
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Lemons
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Romaine Lettuce
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Potatoes
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Guava
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Cabbage
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Kiwi
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Spinach
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Papaya
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Paprika
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Tomatoes
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Liver
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Strawberries
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Cereal
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Carrots
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Oysters
Treatment
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Adults RDA for vitamin C is 75mg to 90mg
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Smokers need 35mg more of vitamin C
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Doctors recommend 250mg of vitamin C is you have scurvy
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Eat Vitamin C rich foods
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You should start to see an improvement about 48 hours after starting treatment
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Extra vitamin C will be excreted in urine
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Surgery is unnecessary
Diet Plan
Day 1
Breakfast: Oatmeal with wheat toast and 1cup of orange juice
82 mg Vitamin C
Lunch: Turkey sandwich with 1 cup of cantaloupe
68 mg Vitamin C
Dinner: 12 oz. prime rib with 1cup of mashed potatoes and 1/2 cup
73 mg Vitamin C
of broccoli
Dessert: 1cup of strawberries
80 mg Vitamin C
Total:
303 mg Vitamin C
Day 2
Breakfast: Pancakes with 1 cup of strawberries and whipped cream
80 mg Vitamin C
Lunch:
75 mg Vitamin C
BLT with a medium orange
Dinner: Spaghetti with French bread and a 2 cup spinach salad
16 mg Vitamin C
Dessert: A medium papaya
95 mg Vitamin C
Total:
266 mg Vitamin C
Day 3
Breakfast: 2 egg omelet with ½ cup red bell pepper
95 mg Vitamin C
Lunch: Chicken Caesar salad with half a grapefruit
42 mg Vitamin C
Dinner: Chicken with a baked potato and 1 cup of brussel sprouts
125 mg Vitamin C
Dessert: Frozen yogurt with ½ cup raspberries
16 mg Vitamin C
Total:
278 mg Vitamin C
Questions
1) Scurvy is a disease caused by a deficiency in what vitamin?
Answer: Vitamin C
2) True or False, There are still many cases of Scurvy today?
Answer: False, Scurvy cases today are rare
3) After you start treatment, when should you see an improvement?
Answer: About 48 hours
References
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Carpenter, Kenneth J. The History of Scurvy and Vitamin C. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1986.
Print.
Wardlaw, Gordon M., and Anne M. Smith. Contemporary Nutrition. 8th ed. New York:
Mcgraw-Hill, 2011. Print.
Crosta, Peter. "What Is Scurvy? What Causes Scurvy?" Medical News Today. MediLexicon
International, 30 June 2009. Web. 05 Mar. 2012.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155758.php
Anne, John. "Treatment of Scurvy." Ezinearticles. Web. 05 Mar. 2012.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Treatment-of-Scurvy&id=468155
"Scurvy - Causes and Treatment." VITAMINS DIARY: Information on Vitamins, Minerals,
Herbs and Nutrients. 2011. Web. 05 Mar. 2012.
http://www.vitaminsdiary.com/disorders/scurvy-cause.html
Rob. "Top Fruits For Vitamin C Content." Former Fat Guy Blog. 06 Mar. 2008. Web. 08 Mar.
2012.
http://www.formerfatguyblog.com/2008/03/06/top-fruits-for-vitamin-c.html
Decuypere. "Dr. Decuypere's Nutrient Charts™
.” Fruit Chart. 2002-2012. Web. 05 Mar. 2012.
http://www.healthalternatives2000.com/fruit-nutrition-chart.html