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Scurvy is a vitamin C deficiency, which was more common decades ago for those without regular access to fresh fruit and vegetables, such as people who spent months at sea.

The , after the woman showed up at a Toronto hospital emergency room with leg pain and weakness, and skin lesions.

Some bruising or discoloration was noted on her thighs.

Contributing factors

Along with her initial complaints, the patient had several other chronic health conditions.

She had a history of hypertension (high blood pressure), dyslipidemia (fat in your blood), hypothyroidism, anxiety and depression, and reported smoking half a pack of cigarettes per day.

Part of her condition made mobility a challenge, and she reported a limited ability to go grocery shopping, cook and perform other activities of daily living.

She also didn’t have a lot of family or community support.

She told doctors she mainly ate canned soup and tuna fish, white bread and processed cheese, with no fresh produce.

“This case presents a complex example of food insecurity manifesting as an uncommon diagnosis,” said Dr. Sarah Engelhart, a general internist at Mount Sinai Hospital and the University of Toronto, . “A unifying diagnosis was uncovered only after a detailed assessment of her social and dietary history.”

In this woman’s case, smoking also contributed to her vitamin C deficiency.

Recovery and a caution

Once she was started on intravenous vitamin C treatment for a week, her symptoms improved. She was then discharged and told to take 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C daily.

After the woman’s blood work came back confirming the diagnosis, officials alerted health-care practitioners to watch for scurvy — which should be considered in patients with abnormal bleeding and non-specific symptoms.

Other symptoms of scurvy can include fatigue, anemia, weakness and shortness of breath, corkscrew hairs (bleeding at the hair follicle) and bleeding gums.

But this isn’t the first time there’s been a warning about low vitamin C levels.

Back in 2020, did a study about the condition.

“Researchers surveyed the data of patients of Hamilton’s two hospital systems over nine years and found 52 with low vitamin C levels,” Dadgar wrote. “This included 13 patients who could be diagnosed as having scurvy, and an additional 39 who tested positive for scurvy but did not have documented symptoms.”

“Scurvy is seen as a disease irrelevant to the modern world, but it still exists, and clinicians caring for at-risk patients should be aware of it and know how to diagnose it,” Neary said.

“Scurvy should be a ‘never event’ in a healthy society,” Dadgar added. “That it still occurs in Canada in our time indicates that we are not supporting vulnerable people as we should.”

Examining food insecurity’s role

Far too many people in Canada experience food insecurity, about barriers to food access.

“The main barrier to food access in Canada is lack of income, and community-run organizations such as food banks exist to help support people who find themselves facing that barrier,” the report said.

According to the organization, there were 1,935,911 visits to food banks across Canada in March 2023 — which is up 32 per cent from the previous year.

However, others who need assistance are ashamed to seek help, as they might face anxiety, depression and shame about admitting they require support.

“Participants identified several types of barriers that influence their decision to access — or not access food banks — including emotional, social, physical and institutional barriers,” they said. “Guilt or shame — and social barriers — for example, stigma and discrimination — can dissuade people from reaching out for assistance to access food.”

Physical barriers such as transportation and accessibility challenges can also impact someone’s ability to use a food bank.

It can also take time for someone to realize they are at the point of needing help — with some not noticing until their fridge is empty.

To reduce some of the barriers, food bank patrons suggested having an easy intake process and having the choice to do their own shopping.

Offering mobile hubs and delivery services, or handing out grocery store gift cards was another suggestion.

For those who are facing low income or poverty levels, affording nutritious food can be a challenge.

What food contains vitamin C?

Here are some sources of vitamin C that can supplement your diet.

• Oranges and orange juice are abundant in vitamin C. Buying concentrated juices is one option, and some drinking box brands have added vitamin C.
• Grapefruit, another citrus fruit, has almost half the daily value tucked into just half of a medium-sized fruit.
• Broccoli is another source of vitamin C, either fresh or frozen.
• Bell peppers — red bell peppers are actually one of the richest sources of vitamin C, with more than your full daily value in a half cup. Green bell peppers also have vitamin C inside.
• Kiwis have close to a full daily value in just one medium fruit. 
• Strawberries contain some vitamin C, although it takes a half cup to make up a half-day’s serving.
• Mangoes also contain vitamin C, and they can be bought fresh or frozen.
• Cantaloupe is a source of vitamin C, with one-third of the daily value in a half cup.
• Tomatoes also have vitamin C inside, fresh or canned, which can be added to stews, salads and more.
• Potatoes, peas and cabbage also contain vitamin C, although in lower amounts.

If you need assistance from a local food bank, visit to see one in your area.