Is Modern Diet Bringing Back Scurvy?

Sailors in the 18th and 19th centuries were up against many things. Long working hours, crowded rooms and bad weather conditions made the work difficult, uncomfortable and dangerous. But without a doubt, one of the biggest problems sailors had to face was disease.

Besides typhus and dysentery, scurvy was a major threat. In fact, this disease was linked to the death of more than two million sailors, according to Center for the History of Science. Nowadays, it is easy to treat scurvy, as research has found that the disease is caused by a lack of vitamin C. Ultimately, it was the poor diet of sailors on long voyages that led to the outbreak of scurvy.

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Although scurvy has long been considered a disease of the past, doctors are now warning that it may make a comeback. The rise in consumption and consumption of junk food—which often lacks the necessary finesse—may be to blame.

Why does scurvy come back?

Another report published in the newspaper BMJ Case Reports reports that earlier this year, an Australian man in his 50s was diagnosed with scurvy and treated. In the same paper, four doctors, including Andrew Dermawan, MD, note that the male patient is not alone. “Scurvy is a resurgent disease with a rising cost of living,” they note. “It can appear as soon as a month after a vitamin C-deficient diet.”

They explain that apart from things like dialysis, alcoholism, eating disorders and stomach surgery, poor nutrition is one of the factors that cause scurvy.

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Now, the rising price of food makes it difficult for people to make the right decisions. Last year, one lesson in BBC Good Food Community suggested that around 20 per cent of British adults preferred to eat more processed food because it was cheaper. It also found that 60 percent of adults have changed the way they eat because of the rising cost of ingredients.

A survey conducted last year by the Cleveland Clinic found that almost half of Americans view healthy food as too expensive. The survey also suggests that more than 23 million Americans currently live without access to nutritious food, but have access to fast food and highly processed options.

Tim Senior, MD, said Caretaker that according to reports, this Australian man—who had been eating processed foods and going without food—could be a “canary in the coal mine.”

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He said: “What they’re describing in terms of cost-of-living pressures and not being able to afford good food, I think we’re seeing more of that, and that’s going to result in a lot of nutrient deficiencies, like scurvy.”

Today, scurvy—with its many symptoms including joint and muscle pain, fatigue, bleeding gums, red or blue spots on the skin, nausea, and loss of appetite—is rare. leading to death, but urgent treatment is necessary. The report says: “This disease can be easily treated with supplementation, with a dramatic response seen after 24 hours. Failure to treat can lead to severe bleeding, so early detection and effective treatment are essential.” Fast is very important.

How to make more nutritious choices on a budget

It is important to note that scurvy is still rare. However, nutrient deficiencies are very common. Per Health lineiron deficiency affects more than 25 percent of the world’s population and iodine deficiency affects about a third of the world’s population. It also lists calcium, vitamin B12, magnesium, vitamin A, and vitamin D as common deficiencies.

Vitamin deficiency has many symptoms, but some common ones include brittle hair, mouth ulcers, hair loss and fatigue.

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To prevent malnutrition, it is important to eat a balanced diet, which contains foods that are rich in nutrients, such as fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds and legumes. To follow US News & Report WorldThe Mediterranean diet is the healthiest way to eat because of its emphasis on nutrient-dense plant foods.

But it’s not easy for everyone to make healthy choices all the time. As experts have pointed out, cost and access are the two main limiting factors.

However, there are some things most of us can do to boost our nutrient intake on a budget. Rhyan Geiger, RDN, owner of Phoenix Vegan Dietitian, told VegNews that some of the most nutritious foods include frozen fruits and vegetables, brown rice, whole-grain pasta and whole-grain bread. -grain.

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“Pasta dishes are a cheap and easy way to eat vegan food,” she said. “There is nothing wrong with pasta. Also, a loaf of bread can go a long way. ”

For the most important vitamin C, look to options like frozen broccoli or canned tomatoes. Canned foods are often among the cheapest options at the grocery store, and when combined with frozen vegetables and carbohydrates like pasta, they can help create a balanced, healthy meal. have proper nutrition.

Meal planning, cooking in bulk, and making lists before you shop can help you get the most value from your groceries. For more information on how to eat healthy on a budget, you can find advice and guidance from the USDA here.