Scurvy Scurvy Scurvy is a disease resulting from a lack of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Early symptoms include weakness, feeling tired, and sore arms and legs. Without treatment, decreased red blood cells, gum disease, changes to hair, and bleeding from the skin may occur. As scurvy worsens there can be poor wound healing, personality changes, and finally death from infection or bleeding. Typically, scurvy is caused by a lack of vitamin C in the diet. It takes at least a month of little to no vitamin C before symptoms occur. In modern times, it occurs most commonly in people with mental
Vitamin A a result of alcohol consumption during pregnancy is the elucidated mechanism for fetal alcohol syndrome and is characterized by teratogenicity closely matching maternal vitamin A deficiency. A 2012 systematic review found no evidence that beta-carotene or vitamin A supplements increase longevity in healthy people or in people with various diseases. A meta-analysis of 43 studies showed that vitamin A supplementation of children under five who are at risk of deficiency reduced mortality by up to 24%. However, a 2016 Cochrane review concluded there was not evidence to recommend blanket Vitamin A supplementation for all infants between one and six months