Scurvy

What you need to know:

Once the scourge of the British navy, this disease was finally eradicated when barrels of limes were carried on every ship in the fleet and give as part of their rations to every sailor. That’s why the Americans nicknamed the British Limeys.

Limes, like all citrus fruits, are extremely rich in vitamin C, a deficiency of which causes this disease. In spite of the abysmally low consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables in the UK, scurvy is virtually a thing of the past. This is largely thanks to the humble potato, which, even as chips, supplies about half the average daily Vitamin C in the British diet.

Tragically, the increasing obsession with extreme weight loss diets and the increase in eating disorders and bogus allergy testing means that cases of scurvy are beginning to reappear. Even more alarming are the number of people whose diets are so marginal that they suffer sub-clinical deficiencies, which may cause occasional bleeding gums and skin problems without leading to the extreme symptoms of this disease, which can be fatal.

All fresh fruits, vegetables and salads contain vitamin C. As a supplement, it’s advisable to use the non-acidic Ester-C if you have a sensitive stomach.

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The information provided by WIS is for guidance only. Whilst it is based upon the expert advice of leading professionals, and extensive research, it is not a substitute for diagnosis by a qualified professional. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist or qualified practitioner before making any changes or additions to prescribed medication.