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Which nutrient deficiency causes scurvy?

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A woman with curly hair and a handbag shops at a busy outdoor farmer's market in Bulgaria, surrounded by stalls filled with fresh fruits and vegetables. — nutrition Vegetables are an important part of a balanced diet.

Scurvy is a nutritional disorder caused by a dietary deficiency of vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid.12

Vitamin C is essential for the synthesis of collagen, a structural protein that serves as a major component of connective tissues, including skin, bones, and cartilage. Because humans cannot synthesize this vitamin, it must be obtained through the diet, primarily from citrus fruits and fresh vegetables. A lack of vitamin C interferes with normal tissue synthesis, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, swollen and bleeding gums, and impaired wound healing.132

The condition is treated and prevented through the administration of vitamin C. While rare in developed regions, it may still occur in individuals with severely restricted diets, those lacking access to fresh produce, or individuals with specific health conditions that increase their requirement for the nutrient.12