# Scurvy in the modern world? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 10, 2001, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scurvy-in-the-modern-world/92625 "2001-11-10T13:44:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![geepee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ebca7d/32.png) [@geepee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/geepee)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scurvy-in-the-modern-world/92625/1 "2001-11-10T13:44:22Z")
Hello I was wondering how possible is scurvy in the modern world lifestyle? .I had thoughts about it when a few of my cuts reopened and my gums seemed to be receeding a bit which are supposed to be classic scurvy symptoms. Thinking back over the past month I haven’t eaten many vegetables of fruits being too busy, any thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scurvy-in-the-modern-world/92625/2 "2001-11-10T14:46:07Z")
Of course you can still get scurvy in the 21st century. However, there is Vitamin C in unexpected food sources, so if you’re eating a reasonably balanced diet, you’re probably getting more C than you realize. There is Vitamin C in animal protein, for one thing. [The Master speaks.](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/010119.html) Another surprising source of Vitamin C can be processed foods that have had C added, in the manufacturer’s attempt to persuade consumers that something like Lipton’s Tomato Cup-A-Soup[sup]R[/sup], A Low-Fat Snack, is so “real food”. According to the label on the box here in my lap Tomato Cup-A-Soup contains 6% of the adult MDR for Vitamin C. Symptoms of scurvy: > **[WebMD - Better information. Better health.](https://www.webmd.com)** > > The leading source for trustworthy and timely health and medical news and information. Providing credible health information, supportive community, and educational services by blending award-winning expertise in content, community services, expert... > [@](#): > > In adults, there may be a delay of 3 to 12 months after the onset of severe vitamin C deficiency before any symptoms appear. Initially, there may be lethargy, irritability, weight loss, and aching of the joints. As the disease develops, there may be bleeding under the skin, particularly under the nails; the gums swell and bleed; bruising may occur spontaneously; and wounds may not heal. Gums receding and bleeding are more likely a symptom of plain old gingivitis. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scurvy-in-the-modern-world/92625/3 "2001-11-10T14:47:53Z")
And there’s an easy way to find out. Get a bottle of generic chewable Vitamin C, eat one a day for the next 2 weeks, see if your gums improve. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scurvy-in-the-modern-world/92625/4 "2001-11-10T18:26:45Z")
Ummm, preferably not chewable Vitamin C. The acidity can erode enamel and cause decay. [http://www.dentalhealthweek.com/press/0908/tootherosion.html](http://www.dentalhealthweek.com/press/0908/tootherosion.html) Time to see your dentist! ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2001, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scurvy-in-the-modern-world/92625/5 "2001-11-10T18:30:13Z")
I should have high-lighted **chewable**. Regular Vit. C won’t cause problems. I had one dentist recommend that I take 1000 mg. Vitamin C to prevent gingivitus. Of course, when this dentist retired and I went to a new dentist, the new one said “Your previous dentist sucked” :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Wright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Steve\_Wright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_Wright)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2001, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scurvy-in-the-modern-world/92625/6 "2001-11-12T10:43:43Z")
My sister is a dentist, and has run into at least one case of scurvy. The sufferer was a university student, and his condition initially baffled investigators, because they’d asked him standard questions about lifestyle, and concluded that he was spending so much on food and drink, he must have been getting an approximately balanced diet. My sister, having been a student more recently than anyone else involved, thought to ask the guy “You say you spend £_x_ per week on food and drink - how much of that goes on beer?” Whereupon the situation became as clear as day… Does this add anything to the discussion? Only to verify that dentists are aware of these things, and can advise.