Treatments For Scurvy

Vitamin C Supplements

Doctors and health professionals commonly recommend getting your vitamin C intake from foods, though many individuals turn to supplements to meet their daily needs. Foods containing vitamin C include oranges, lemons, strawberries, kiwi, tomatoes, carrots, bell peppers, potatoes, spinach, paprika, liver, and oysters.

Keep in mind that, while fresh produce is the best source of vitamin C, the vitamins in produce can diminish due to heat and storage. So, if you do not have access to fresh produce, vitamin C supplements can be purchased online or in health food stores. Namely, some benefits of vitamin C supplements are they reduce the risk of chronic diseases, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Also, vitamin C can heighten immunity and protect your memory as you age by lowering your risk of dementia.

Keep reading for more ways to treat scurvy.

A Diet High In Vitamin C

A diet high in vitamin C can prevent scurvy, though there may be several reasons why one may be at risk. Unfortunately, humans do not make vitamin C. It must be attained from outside sources, like fresh produce (especially oranges and other fresh fruits or fortified food like cereal).

A deficiency may result from illnesses such as anorexia or other eating disorders, usually associated with mental health issues; food allergies, and difficulty ingesting food (e.g., Crohn’s disease). Age may also play a factor in vitamin C deficiency because seniors may have trouble chewing and breastfeeding infants may suffer if their mother isn’t getting enough vitamin C, especially if they’re weaned late or unsuccessfully. Additionally, alcoholism or drug use may curb the desire to eat, so those afflicted should take extra care to consume fresh produce and smokers should increase their intake of vitamin C by thirty-five milligrams.

Continue reading to learn about the duration of recovering from scurvy.