James Blunt has admitted that he turned up scurvy after going on a ‘meat’-only diet with a meat-only diet to take a stand against his vegan friends.
De you are handsome singer, 46, became a carnivore for two months – consuming nothing but chicken and minced meat – after finding himself “surrounded by vegetarians”.
Blunt was eventually diagnosed with scabies, a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C.
Scurvy is ‘slightly more common in the UK’, but is still considered rare, according to Azmina Govindji, a spokeswoman for the British Dietetic Association, who warns that cutting out any food group from your diet carries risks of “lack of essential nutrients “.
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Often referred to as ‘syllabic disease’, scurvy was historically most prevalent in sailors who could not follow a balanced diet.
Govindji explains that the best way to achieve a “healthy diet” is by incorporating all feed groups.
“There’s a place for animal and plant foods in a healthy diet,” she said.
“Complete removal of fruits, vegetables, beans and other plant-based foods can set you up for low levels of vitamin C, fiber and potassium: if you do not have enough vitamin C, you may feel tired and slimy.
“Certain types of fiber, such as oats and grass, can lower your blood cholesterol levels; and potassium helps your heart muscles work properly.
“Handling a well-designed plant-based diet, with the addition of vitamin B12, can be nutritionally safe.”
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Symptoms of scurvy include weakness, tired feeling, and sore arms and legs. It is relatively easy to cure and is treated by adding vitamin C to your diet – which is normally found in fruits and vegetables.
Some doctors will also recommend a vitamin C supplement to increase the levels in your body.
Blunt developed the disease while studying at the university.
“Basically, I decided I was going to be a carnivore and just live on meat, some chicken, maybe some mayonnaise,” he said on the podcast, Table manners with Jessie Ware.
‘And it took me about six to eight weeks to become very unhealthy and to see a doctor, who then said,’ I think you have the symptoms of scurvy. ‘
“He said you really miss vitamin C. So I took it upon myself to drink orange juice every night – then I almost developed acid reflux.”
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Despite the disease becoming a bit more common in recent years, it is still considered by the NHS to be “rare”.
Those who adhere to unusual or restrictive “fad diets”, eat very poorly, have a poor diet and also smoke, as a poor diet and are also heavy as breastfeeding, have a slightly higher risk of shrinkage.
