(TNND) — A widely used appetite-suppressing weight-loss drug may be contributing to vitamin deficiencies — including a disease historically associated with 18th-century sailors.
GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro work by reducing appetite and overall food intake. In some cases, this may result in inadequate consumption of essential nutrients, including vitamin C — a deficiency that can lead to scurvy.
Because the human body cannot produce vitamin C, it must be obtained through foods such as citrus fruits, berries, bell peppers, broccoli and leafy greens, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Although there is no evidence that GLP-1 medications directly cause scurvy, a potential indirect pathway exists.
Research and review articles suggest that because GLP-1 drugs suppress appetite and reduce overall intake, they may increase the risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies — particularly if diet quality declines. This could theoretically include vitamin C deficiency in susceptible individuals, though it is considered an indirect risk rather than a proven side effect of the medication itself.
Clare Collins, Laureate Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Newcastle and an HMRI Nutrition & Metabolic Health researcher, noted in a news release that “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.”
“If someone loses weight but their diet lacks adequate protein, fibre, vitamins or minerals, that has major concerns for their long-term muscle mass, bone health, brain health, gut health, as well as skin integrity and overall wellbeing,” she added.
