Weight Loss Injections Tied to Scurvy Risk as Victorian Disease Returns
Leading dieticians have issued a stark warning that individuals using GLP-1 weight loss injections could be at heightened risk of developing scurvy, a severe vitamin C deficiency historically linked to sailors and the Victorian era. This life-threatening condition is experiencing a resurgence in the UK, with cases increasing by 25 per cent since 2007, largely attributed to poor dietary habits.
Research Highlights Nutritional Gaps in Drug Trials
A systematic review of existing research, spearheaded by Australian professor Clare Collins, has revealed that very few global trials of weight loss medications have adequately accounted for patients' diet and food intake during treatment. This oversight means many patients may be functionally malnourished, potentially leading to serious vitamin deficiencies such as scurvy.
Scurvy arises from insufficient consumption of vitamin C, which is abundant in citrus fruits, broccoli, and potatoes. Typical symptoms include fatigue, weakness, irritability, severe joint or leg pain, and swollen, bleeding gums.
Appetite Suppression and Nutrient Deficiency
According to a University College London study, an estimated 1.6 million adults in England, Wales, and Scotland used weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro between early 2024 and early 2025. These medications are effective for weight loss and diabetes management partly due to their appetite-suppressing properties. However, restricted diets often result in individuals missing essential nutrients needed for overall health.
Professor Collins emphasized to the Australian Financial Review, 'A reduction in body weight does not automatically mean the person is well-nourished or healthy. Nutrition plays a critical role in health and right now it's largely missing from the evidence.'
Celebrity Case and Broader Health Trends
One notable case involves former Take That member Robbie Williams, who turns 52 this week. Last year, Williams disclosed that he was diagnosed with scurvy after ceasing to eat while on a weight loss drug. He described the condition as 'a 17th-century pirate disease,' attributing it to undernourishment and vitamin C deficiency. Williams had previously credited a two-stone weight loss to an appetite suppressant similar to Ozempic.
Beyond scurvy, doctors writing in BMJ Case Reports have noted a trend of increasing cases, driven by cost-of-living pressures and diets lacking sufficient fruits and vegetables. This is part of a wider resurgence of Victorian-era diseases in modern Britain, including rickets, with malnutrition, declining vaccination rates, and reduced public health funding cited as contributing factors.
Historical Context and Prevention
Scurvy dates back to 3,800 BC in Egypt and was a major cause of death among sailors from the 16th to 18th centuries. It was thought to have vanished in the UK in the 1900s with improved diets. Without adequate vitamin C, the body cannot produce enough collagen, leading to issues like bleeding gums, scaly skin, and muscle fatigue.
The NHS recommends consuming plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables as part of a balanced diet to prevent vitamin C deficiency. Smoking and increased nutritional needs during pregnancy or breastfeeding can also elevate scurvy risk.
