Gram Research analysis of medical records from Northern Saskatchewan found that 56% of tested adults had vitamin C deficiency, with First Nations patients showing rates of 66% compared to 20% in non-Indigenous patients. This disease, called scurvy, was thought to be eliminated but persists in remote communities with limited access to fresh food, highlighting how food insecurity and systemic inequities create serious nutritional health gaps.
Researchers in Northern Saskatchewan discovered that vitamin C deficiency, a condition that causes a disease called scurvy, is surprisingly common among adults in isolated First Nations communities. In a study of 48 patients tested at a clinic between 2011 and 2024, more than half had dangerously low vitamin C levels. According to Gram Research analysis, First Nations patients were significantly more likely to have this deficiency than non-Indigenous patients. The findings highlight how limited access to fresh food in remote areas, combined with systemic inequities, can lead to serious nutritional problems that many people thought were solved decades ago.
Key Statistics
A retrospective review of 48 patients at a Northern Saskatchewan clinic from 2011 to 2024 found that 56% had vitamin C deficiency, with First Nations patients experiencing deficiency at more than three times the rate of non-Indigenous patients (66% versus 20%).
Among 48 adults tested for vitamin C levels in Northern Saskatchewan, 77% had some degree of vitamin C insufficiency, including 56% with clinical deficiency and 21% with low but not critically deficient levels.
First Nations patients in Northern Saskatchewan were significantly more likely to have vitamin C deficiency than non-Indigenous patients, with 66% of First Nations individuals showing deficiency compared to 20% of non-First Nations individuals in this 2026 study.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether vitamin C deficiency and scurvy are actually occurring in adults living in remote First Nations communities in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada.
- Who participated: 48 adults who were tested for vitamin C levels at a clinic in La Ronge, Saskatchewan between 2011 and 2024. These patients were tested because doctors suspected they might have vitamin C deficiency based on their symptoms or risk factors.
- Key finding: 56% of the tested patients (27 out of 48) had vitamin C deficiency, and another 21% (10 out of 48) had low but not critically low levels. First Nations patients were more than three times as likely to have deficiency compared to non-Indigenous patients (66% versus 20%).
- What it means for you: If you live in a remote community with limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables, vitamin C deficiency is a real health risk that deserves attention. This research suggests doctors should consider testing for this condition and that communities need better access to nutritious food. However, this study only looked at people doctors already suspected had the problem, so we don’t know exactly how common it is in the general population.
The Research Details
Researchers looked back at medical records from a clinic in La Ronge, Saskatchewan over a 13-year period (2011 to 2024). They found 48 patients who had blood tests measuring vitamin C levels. The doctors had ordered these tests because they suspected patients might have vitamin C deficiency based on symptoms like skin problems, bleeding gums, or other signs of scurvy. The researchers then examined the medical records to see who had deficiency, what their symptoms were, and whether being First Nations, male or female, or a certain age made a difference.
This type of study is called a retrospective review, which means researchers looked backward at information that was already collected. It’s like being a detective looking through old case files rather than following new patients forward in time. The researchers worked closely with local First Nations health services to make sure they respected Indigenous data rights and community values.
This approach matters because it reveals a real clinical problem that doctors are actually seeing in their patients. Rather than guessing whether vitamin C deficiency exists in these communities, the researchers documented actual cases with blood test proof. However, because they only looked at patients doctors already suspected had the problem, this study can’t tell us what percentage of the entire community has deficiency. It’s like counting only the people who went to the doctor complaining of a symptom, rather than testing everyone.
Strengths of this study include that it used actual blood test results (the gold standard for measuring vitamin C) and worked with Indigenous communities in a respectful way. The main limitation is that this is a small sample of only 48 people, and these weren’t randomly selected from the community. The patients were chosen because doctors already suspected they had vitamin C problems, which means the true rate of deficiency in the community is probably lower than the 56% found here. Additionally, vitamin C blood testing is technically difficult and not widely available, so some cases of deficiency may have been missed.
What the Results Show
Among the 48 patients tested, 27 (56%) had vitamin C deficiency, defined as blood levels below 11 micromoles per liter. Another 10 patients (21%) had hypovitaminosis C, which means their levels were low but not critically deficient (11 to 23 micromoles per liter). This means that 77% of the tested patients had some degree of vitamin C insufficiency.
The most striking finding was the difference between First Nations and non-Indigenous patients. Among First Nations patients, 66% had deficiency compared to only 20% of non-First Nations patients. This threefold difference suggests that Indigenous communities face particular barriers to getting enough vitamin C.
Patients typically came to testing because they had skin problems or oral symptoms like bleeding gums, which are classic signs of scurvy. However, the researchers also found vitamin C deficiency in some patients who didn’t have these obvious symptoms, suggesting that some cases go unrecognized.
The study found that dermatologic problems (skin issues) and oral manifestations (mouth and gum problems) were the most common reasons doctors ordered vitamin C testing. These symptoms led to diagnosis in many cases. Interestingly, vitamin C deficiency was discovered even among patients without these classic scurvy features, indicating that some people with deficiency may not show obvious symptoms. The researchers did not find major differences in deficiency rates based on age or sex, though the sample size was too small to draw firm conclusions about these factors.
Vitamin C deficiency and scurvy were largely eliminated from developed countries in the 20th century through improved food distribution and access to fresh produce. This research is significant because it shows that scurvy, a disease many people thought was solved, is still occurring in certain populations. The findings align with growing research showing that food insecurity and limited access to fresh foods in remote areas can lead to nutritional deficiencies that were previously considered historical problems. This study adds to evidence that systemic inequities in food access create real health disparities.
This study has several important limitations. First, the sample size is small (only 48 people), which limits how much we can generalize the findings. Second, these patients were not randomly selected from the community. Instead, they were chosen because doctors already suspected they had vitamin C problems, which means the 56% deficiency rate is probably much higher than the actual rate in the full community. Third, vitamin C blood testing is technically difficult and not widely available, so the study may have missed some cases. Fourth, the study is retrospective, meaning it relies on information already in medical records, which may be incomplete. Finally, this study cannot prove that food insecurity causes the deficiency, only that deficiency exists in this population.
The Bottom Line
For people living in remote communities with limited food access: Consider asking your doctor about vitamin C testing if you have symptoms like bleeding gums, skin problems, or unusual bruising. Eating vitamin C-rich foods when available (citrus fruits, berries, leafy greens) is important. If fresh produce is unavailable, vitamin C supplements may be helpful, especially for high-risk individuals. For healthcare providers: Screen for vitamin C deficiency in patients from isolated communities who present with relevant symptoms. Consider empiric vitamin C supplementation for high-risk patients even without testing, given the difficulty of accessing lab services. For policymakers: Address the root causes by improving food access, supporting Indigenous food sovereignty, and ensuring that remote communities have reliable access to nutritious foods.
This research is most relevant for people living in remote, geographically isolated communities with limited access to fresh food. It’s particularly important for First Nations communities in Canada and similar populations worldwide. Healthcare providers in remote areas should be aware of this risk. Policymakers and public health officials should use this evidence to advocate for better food access and nutrition programs. This is less immediately relevant for people living in urban or suburban areas with good access to grocery stores and fresh produce.
Vitamin C deficiency develops over weeks to months of inadequate intake. Symptoms like bleeding gums or skin problems may appear gradually. Vitamin C supplementation can improve symptoms relatively quickly, often within 1 to 2 weeks of starting treatment. However, addressing the underlying food access problem requires longer-term systemic changes to food systems and community resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you still get scurvy today, and who is at risk?
Yes, scurvy still occurs in populations with limited access to fresh food. A 2026 study in Northern Saskatchewan found that 56% of tested patients had vitamin C deficiency. First Nations communities in remote areas face the highest risk due to food insecurity and geographic isolation.
What are the symptoms of vitamin C deficiency I should watch for?
Common symptoms include bleeding or swollen gums, unusual bruising, slow-healing wounds, and skin problems. Some people have deficiency without obvious symptoms. If you live in a remote area with limited fresh food access and notice these signs, ask your doctor about testing.
How much vitamin C do I need daily to prevent deficiency?
Adults need 75 to 90 mg of vitamin C daily. This comes from citrus fruits, berries, leafy greens, and other produce. If fresh food is unavailable, vitamin C supplements can prevent deficiency. A 2026 study suggests supplements may be practical for high-risk individuals in remote communities.
Why do First Nations communities have higher rates of vitamin C deficiency?
The research shows that systemic inequities, disrupted food systems, and geographic isolation limit access to fresh fruits and vegetables in remote First Nations communities. These structural barriers, not individual choices, create the nutritional gap documented in this study.
How quickly does vitamin C supplementation work for scurvy symptoms?
Vitamin C supplementation typically improves scurvy symptoms within 1 to 2 weeks of starting treatment. However, addressing the underlying food access problem requires longer-term changes to community food systems and resources.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily vitamin C intake by logging fruits, vegetables, and supplements consumed. Set a daily goal of 75-90 mg for adults and monitor whether you’re meeting it. Note any symptoms like bleeding gums, unusual bruising, or skin problems.
- If you live in a remote area or have limited access to fresh produce, use the app to remind you to take a daily vitamin C supplement. Set alerts to purchase supplements regularly and track adherence to supplementation.
- Monitor symptom changes over 4 to 8 weeks of supplementation. Track energy levels, gum health, skin condition, and any bruising or bleeding. Share this data with your healthcare provider to assess whether supplementation is working.
This research describes vitamin C deficiency in a specific clinical population and should not be interpreted as estimating the prevalence of deficiency in the general population. The study examined only patients who were tested based on clinical suspicion, not a random community sample. If you suspect you have vitamin C deficiency or scurvy, consult a healthcare provider for proper testing and treatment. Do not start or stop any supplements without discussing with your doctor. This information is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.