Question

Andrew’s doctor told him he is not meeting his RDA for vitamin C based on what Andrew told him about his eating habits. Andrew is worried that he will develop scurvy. Can you assume that he is at risk for scurvy if he isn’t consuming the RDA for vitamin C? Why may the doctor’s assessment be flawed? How can you determine if Andrew isn’t consuming enough vitamin C? What would you tell Andrew to calm his fears?

Answer 1

RDA ( Recommended daily allowance) is the amount of adequate essential nutrients to fulfill nutrition needs .

RDA of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is 90 mg /day for adult males like Andrew .

Best source of vitamin C are fresh citrus fruits and vegetables: like guava, strawberries, papaya, bell pepper, orange juice, broccoli ,tomato juice , mango, lemon juice etc.

So if Andrew is not having Vitamins C rich fruits and vegetables in his diet for several weeks he is at risk of developing scurvy.

We can determine if Andrew is not consuming enough vitamin C : Based on his present eating habit and early signs and symptoms we can suspect vitamin C deficiency, to get relevant information we can ask questions about his diet plan , meals per day , list of items in his regular diet ,fast foods ,duration of not getting enough fruits and vegetables??

Scurvy: It is a condition that occurs due to severe & chronic vitamin C deficiency

Signs & symptoms

• Bleeding sores or ulceration of gums leads to red swollen gums due to severe lack of vitamin C gum tissues get weakened & inflamed.
• Exhaustion, weakness, fatigue
• Anemia
• Reduced rate of wound healing
• Bright red hair follicles as small blood vessels can rupture due to lack of vitamin C.
• Rough ,bump,dry anf damaged skin
• Easy bruising
• Pete chia (small red spots)
• Tooth loss

Risk factors for vitamin C deficiency:

• Poor diet lacking fresh fruits and vegetables
• Smoking
• Alcoholism
• Anorexia and other mental illness
• Dialysis

Based on present eating habit of Andrew his doctor can suspect vitamin C deficiency as he is aware of sources of vitamin C and possible early signs and symptoms.

Doctors assessment may be flawed if Andrew forgot to mention other sources of vitamin C that  he is consuming . Early symptoms like weakness, fatigue , pain occurs may be because of other conditions not just because of vitamin C deficiency. The doctor can only suspect and must confirm it by blood test to check actual vitamin C levels so that optimum amount can be given for treatment.

To calm his fear : we can reassure him that scurvy is treatable with oral or intravenous vitamin C supplements.

Encourage him to incorporate Vitamin C rich fruits and vegetables in his diet.Told him that he  can easily modify his diet to prevent scurvy.

Within 24hrs of intaking optimum vitamin C there will be improvement in fatigue, pain anorexia.

Bruising and weakness resolve within 1 to 2 weeks.

After 3 weeks there will be complete recovery, except severe tooth loss.