Scurvy

Scurvy : 

Scurvy By: Lane Whitefield BIOL 1322 0

What is Scurvy? : 

What is Scurvy? According to Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary, scurvy is defined as “a disease marked by spongy gums, loosening of the teeth, and a bleeding into the skin and mucous membranes and caused by a lack of ascorbic acid”. Ascorbic acid is another name for vitamin C. 1

Symptoms : 

Symptoms Loss of appetite Ill tempered Poor weight gain Diarrhea Fever Bleeding from the gums Weakness Swollen Joints 2

Is scurvy life threatening? : 

Is scurvy life threatening? Yes, scurvy can be fatal if left untreated. Back when scurvy was still not understood there were many deaths due to the lack of treatment. Scurvy is easily treated so death is a very unlikely outcome these days. 3

Treatment : 

Treatment As previously mentioned scurvy is easily treated. !!!Eat Vitamin C!!! There are many different things you can eat to get vitamin C including but not limited to: Vitamin C supplements Oranges, limes, lemons, pineapples, and strawberries Peppers, Spring Greens, Brussels Sprouts, and Broccoli 4

A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY : 

A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY Scurvy has been around since the beginning of time. It was not linked to dietary deficiencies until the 1800’s. Scurvy was first linked with dietary deficiencies when sailors were out at sea for long periods of time. They would run out of supplies including foods that contain vital nutrients and vitamins, for instance, vitamin C. These shortages caused ships to have to port more often in order to restock. 5

IS SCURVY A GENETIC PROBLEM : 

IS SCURVY A GENETIC PROBLEM No, scurvy is not a genetic problem. Scurvy is caused by lack of vitamin C in the persons diet, not the persons inability to consume vitamin C. 6

Vitamin C In The Body : 

Vitamin C In The Body Antioxidant Water soluble Protects cell constituents in the watery part of the cell (i.e. immune system cells use vitamin C to protect themselves against free radicals.) Production of collagen (a protein that forms connective tissues, for example, teeth, bones, tendons, and skin) 7

A Body With Adequate Vitamin C : 

A Body With Adequate Vitamin C Has a strong immune system Has strong tendons and bones Does not have swollen joints Does not bleed from the gums Feels good and Healthy rather than weak Has good appetite 8

Scurvy Prevention : 

Scurvy Prevention As mentioned earlier scurvy is easy to treat. It is just as easy to prevent as it is to treat. !!!Insure that your diet includes vitamin C!!! According to Susan J. Hewlings and Denis M.Medeiros, “The DRI for vitamin C is 90mg per day for men and 75mg per day for women. This is much higher than the ten to fifteen mg needed to prevent scurvy. 9

Review : 

Review Scurvy is caused by lack of vitamin C Symptom include loss of appetite, ill tempered, poor weight gain, diarrhea, fever, bleeding from the gums, weakness, and swollen joints. Scurvy can be life threatening but is easily treated with vitamin C rich foods or by taking vitamin C supplements. 10

Review cont. : 

Review cont. Some foods rich in vitamin C are oranges, limes, lemons, pineapples, strawberries, peppers, spring greens, brussels sprouts, and broccoli. Scurvy was first linked with dietary deficiencies by sailors on long term floats. Scurvy is not a genetic problem, it is simply a lack of vitamin C intake. Vitamin C is a water soluble antioxidant that produces collagen. To prevent scurvy, consume vitamin C. 11

Work Cited : 

Work Cited "Scurvy." Entry 2. Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary. Seventh ed. 1976. N. page.776. Print. Buckler, Bradley S., and Anjali Parish. "Scurvy." eMedicine. N.p., 16 July 2009. Web. 1 May 2010. <http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/985573-overview>. Web.28Apr.2010.<http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:jUx9l_HOLdAtxM:http://www.undercoverlawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/walkingplank.jpg>. Web. 28 Apr. 2010. <http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:whs-YNrwnBa7nM:http://img.timeinc.net/recipes/i/galleries>. Hewlings, Susan J., and Denis M. Medeiros. Nutrition Real People Real Choices. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2009. 252-53. Print. 12