What causes scurvy? By Biology Decoded Team We may dislike eating our veggies, but do you know that veggies contains umpteen amount of vitamins, especially, Vitamin C? Not only is it present in fruits and vegetables but also, in meat that we eat. The reason why our bodies can’t synthesize Vitamin C is due to the lack of an enzyme that catalyzes intermediate metabolites into Vitamin C. Most mammals have enzymes that produce Vitamin C but humans cannot because, as time passed, mutations were accumulated on the gene of the enzyme leading to loss of enzyme. Most of us may think of Vitamin C as Citric acid, but actually, it is not. Vitamin C is actually, Ascorbic acid. The difference between them is that Citric acid is generated during cellular respiration of mammals, including humans. Ascorbic acid is not synthesized in humans. Vitamin C acts as a coupling factor for an enzyme that synthesize a component of extracellular matrix, collagen. The incorporation of Ascorbic acid with enzyme, adds a hydroxyl group on proline residue in collagen. This reaction generates hydroxyproline, which stabilizes the structure of collagen. The deficiency of Vitamin C can increase the risk of certain diseases, such as stroke. So what is scurvy? Scurvy is a condition specific to a deficiency of Ascorbic acid. The lack of Vitamin C destabilizes the structure of collagen and affects integrity of tissue. Symptoms include bleeding gums, tooth decay, rough skin, and loss of integrity of microvessels. Symptoms of scurvy appear within a month if the deficiency is continuous. Did you know one of the reasons that killed the pirates of the 18th century was not bullets but scurvy? Yes, you heard that right. Pirates could not rely on the Food Pyramid to help them get their required fruits and veggies and as a result, they were plagued with scurvy. Pirates had bleeding gums, their teeth fell out, bones atrophied... it was a slow death, say historians. Eating citrus fruit would cure them. Currently, we rarely hear of scurvy but if we observe in developing countries, it still exists. Extensive cooking of veggies and meat destroys Vitamin C and thereby, we barely absorb Vitamin C upon consumption. Now you know, why it is important to eat our greens, while they are still green. How to Support Us? One-time Contribution: https://fundrazr.com/FreeMededucation Become Our Patron and Monthly Supporter: https://www.Patreon.com/FreeMedEducation Follow us: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreeMedEducation Facebook Groups: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1162636387091983 #FreeMedEducation #FME #VitaminC #Biochemistry Timestamp: 00:00 Vitamin C 00:24 Why human can't synthesize Vitamin C? 00:51 The role of Vitamin C in the body 01:16 Vitamin C deficiency 01:22 Scurvy 01:47 Scurvy and pirates 02:16 Scurvy today and how to treat it