Leading dieticians have issued a warning that individuals utilizing GLP-1 weight loss injections may be at an increased risk of developing scurvy, a severe vitamin C deficiency. Traditionally associated with the Victorian era and sailors enduring nutrient scarcity at sea, this life-threatening condition is experiencing a notable resurgence in the UK. Data indicates a 25 percent rise in cases since 2007, primarily attributed to poor dietary habits in modern populations.

A systematic review of existing research, spearheaded by Australian professor Clare Collins, revealed a critical oversight in global trials of weight loss drugs: very few studies have adequately monitored patients' diets and food intake. This omission has led experts to conclude that many patients may be functionally malnourished, subsequently developing serious vitamin deficiencies, including scurvy. The effectiveness of weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro, used by an estimated 1.6 million adults in England, Wales, and Scotland between early 2024 and early 2025, stems from their ability to suppress appetite. However, this appetite suppression often results in restricted diets, causing individuals to miss out on essential nutrients.

Professor Collins emphasized the distinction, stating, '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.' Scurvy is directly caused by an insufficient intake of vitamin C, which is abundantly found in citrus fruits, broccoli, and potatoes. Its typical symptoms include profound tiredness, weakness, irritability, severe joint or leg pain, and swollen and bleeding gums, with red or blue spots often appearing on the skin, particularly the legs and feet.

Former Take That member Robbie Williams serves as a high-profile example, having been diagnosed with scurvy after he curtailed his eating while on a weight loss drug. Williams, who had previously credited 'something like Ozempic' for his significant weight loss, recounted being undernourished and lacking in vitamin C, leading to what he termed a '17th-century pirate disease.'

Beyond the concerns linked to weight loss drugs, doctors writing in BMJ Case Reports have observed a broader trend of scurvy cases, exacerbated by rising cost-of-living pressures and diets deficient in fruits and vegetables. This marks scurvy as one of several