Minimalist image featuring two bright strawberries and orange slices on a white background, symbolizing key sources of vitamin C for scurvy prevention, contributed by Scott Keatley RD.

Scurvy is still around — and cases are rising. Why a severe lack of vitamin C can cause the condition.

In a recent Yahoo Life article, Scott Keatley, RD, co-owner of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy, sheds light on the surprising resurgence of scurvy, a disease caused by severe vitamin C deficiency. While once common among sailors with limited diets, scurvy still exists today due to poor dietary habits, restrictive diets, and limited access to fresh food. Keatley explains the vital role vitamin C plays in collagen production and highlights key symptoms such as fatigue, swollen gums, and poor wound healing. He emphasizes that a balanced diet, including vitamin C-rich foods like fruits and vegetables, can prevent scurvy, noting that just two strawberries a day provide enough vitamin C to avoid the condition.