Posted on June 12, 2009 in Latest News
Scurvy is a disease caused due to the deficiency of ‘Vitamin C’ in the body. Vitamin C is required for the synthesis of collagen in human beings. The disease of Scurvy leads to formation of spots on skin, spongy gums and bleeding from mucous membranes. The person suffering from Scurvy gives a pale appearance, feels depressed and partially immobilized. In advance stage of scurvy situation gets worse as the spots get swollen up. They convert into open wounds which normally discharges ‘pus’.
What Causes Scurvy
Scurvy is caused due to prolonged deficiency of Vitamin C in diet. Vitamin C is responsible for the activity of prolyl hydroxylase, which is responsible for extensive hydroxylations of prolines in collagens. Deficiency in proline hydroxylation results in degradation of collagen. Hence, results in disease of Scurvy.
Scurvy Symptoms
- Body stores are distinctly depleted.
- The concentration of plasma is nearly nil and none in urine.
- White blood cells and blood platelets have a concentration about thirty times of blood plasma.
- Some of the physical symptoms include pale skin, gradual weakening, sunken eyes, tender gums, loss of tooth, muscle pain, internal bleeding and opening of wounds such as sword cut that had healed many years back.
Scurvy Treatment and Prevention
Scurvy can be treated by consuming Vitamin C in large quantity. Some of the following points mention the food items carrying Vitamin C in them:
- Intake of a diet which includes citrus fruits such as oranges and lemon.
- Some other fruits rich in vitamin C are blackcurrants, guava, kiwifruit, papaya, tomatoes and strawberries.
- Some vegetables such as carrots, bell peppers, broccoli, potatoes, cabbage and paprika.
- Animal products such as liver and oysters contain Vitamin C.
- Lime the main source of vitamin C if it is included in diet it would help greatly in preventing the disease.
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