Robbie Williams made headlines last month after revealing that he’d been diagnosed with scurvy, following rapid weight loss induced by an appetite suppressant.
The 51-year-old singer said that the medication, which he compared to Ozempic, had caused him to become malnourished, leading to the diagnosis of the “17th-century pirate disease.”
“I’d stopped eating and I wasn’t getting nutrients,” he told The Mirror.
Scurvy was rife between the 16th and 18th centuries, resulting in the deaths of over 2 million sailors. While it is rare in the UK today, experts believe that could it be on the rise.
What is scurvy and how worried should we be?
What is scurvy?
Scurvy is a disease caused by severe vitamin C deficiency.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is integral for collagen production, which helps maintain the skin, blood vessels, bones and connective tissue.
It’s also an antioxidant, which means that it protects cells against free radicals (byproducts of cell activity that can cause bodily damage).
Without an adequate level of vitamin C, the body cannot heal wounds, repair tissues or fight infections. This can trigger a variety of symptoms.
Scurvy symptoms
- Long-lasting fatigue and weakness
- Persistent sadness or irritability
- Joint, muscle or leg pain
- Swollen and bleeding gums
- Teeth falling out
- Red or blue spots on the skin, usually on the legs and feet
- Bruising easily
Thankfully, scurvy is treatable, often simply by eating vitamin C.
Vitamin C can be found in fruits and vegetables including oranges, strawberries, peppers, blackcurrants and broccoli. Vitamin C supplements may also be advised.
However, scurvy can be life-threatening without treatment, so it’s worth seeking medical advice if symptoms appear.
Is scurvy making a comeback in the UK?
Scurvy is rare in the UK today, with just 171 cases reported last year. However, this is still a rise from 2007-2008, when 63 cases of scurvy were reported.
“Factors contributing to this trend include poor dietary choices, increased reliance on processed foods, and socioeconomic barriers that limit access to fresh produce,” Dr Naveed Asif, GP at The London General Practice tells The Standard.
“Healthcare professionals have noted an increase in cases, especially among individuals with limited dietary variety and those from marginalised communities.”
He adds that “weight loss surgeries, like gastric bypass, also present a risk for developing scurvy if patients neglect to follow lifelong dietary and supplementation guidelines. These procedures can interfere with nutrient absorption, leading to malabsorption issues.”
Doctors reported in BMJ Journals that a middle-aged man had been diagnosed with scurvy, following gastric bypass surgery eight years earlier.
The jump in scurvy cases coincides with a rise in other Victorian-era diseases, such as scabies and rickets.
Can weight loss drugs cause scurvy?
According to Dr Asif, weight loss medication “can alter nutrient absorption or lead to reduced appetite, which may decrease the intake of vitamin C-rich foods.
“If individuals on these medications do not adjust their diets accordingly, they could be at risk for deficiencies, including scurvy.”
Dr Asif advises that “while scurvy may not be as prevalent as in the past, changing dietary habits and certain medical interventions could lead to its resurgence.
“Recognising the symptoms and taking proactive steps in dietary management are key to preventing this condition.”
