The link between the return of scurvy and overcooking

Scurvy, a disease historically associated with “old world” sailors on long voyages, is surprisingly making a comeback in Australia, with health professionals revealing a rare series of cases. Caused by vitamin C deficiency, the condition was once a common and often fatal scourge among seafarers who spent months without fresh fruits and vegetables.

Rarely seen in developed countries, reports suggest the problem is re-emerging in England, while a medical journal detailed the case of an infant who developed scurvy in Spain.

Jenny Gunton, who leads the Diabetes, Obesity and Endocrinology Research Center at the Westmead Institute in Sydney, reported that scurvy had reappeared in Australia due to poor dietary habits. She discovered the disease in patients with wounds that would not heal.

"When I inquired about their diet, one person ate little to no fresh fruits and vegetables, but the rest ate reasonable amounts of vegetables, with the caveat that they were simply overcooking them, which destroys vitamin C," she said. “This highlights an important fact: you can consume many calories but not receive sufficient nutrients.” The diagnosis of scurvy for 12 patients was made based on blood tests and symptoms, and all were cured with simple vitamin C supplementation.

Lack of vitamin C can lead to defective collagen and connective tissue formation and cause bruising, bleeding gums, blood spots on the skin, joint pain, and impaired wound healing. Common foods that keep scurvy at bay include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, kiwis, bell peppers, and grapefruit, but excessive cooking can destroy key nutrients.

Penelope Jackson was one of the people diagnosed with the disease and said she was stunned.

"I couldn't believe it, I thought, 'wait a minute, scurvy hasn't existed for centuries,'" she said. "It's something you associate with the First Fleet and the days of Arthur Phillip and Captain (James) Cook. You don't expect to find the disease in the 21st century."

Phillip was the first governor of New South Wales, who sailed with the First Fleet of settlers from England, arriving in Sydney Cove in 1788. Navigator and explorer Cook is often credited as one of the first to understand the relationship between fresh fruit and scurvy.

Source: https://www.lifeextension.com/News/LefDailyNews?NewsID=26034&Section=VITAMINS

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