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Recent headlines have raised concerns that people taking GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro could be at risk of nutrient deficiencies. These drugs reduce appetite, which helps with weight loss and blood sugar control. However, eating less can also mean consuming fewer essential vitamins and minerals if diet quality declines.

Some experts have even warned about the possibility of vitamin C deficiency, the severe form of which is known as scurvy, a condition historically seen among sailors and pirates who went months without fresh produce.

So, can Ozempic, Mounjaro, and other GLP-1 medications really lead to scurvy, and if so, what are the symptoms, and how can you prevent vitamin C deficiency while on GLP-1 therapy?

Key Takeaways

  • Ozempic, Mounjaro, and other GLP-1 medicines do not directly cause scurvy. Scurvy can happen when vitamin C intake is very low for 4 to 12 weeks, often due to eating patterns that do not include enough fruits and vegetables.
  • Symptoms to watch for include easy bruising, gum bleeding, pinpoint red or purple spots on the legs, unusual fatigue, and joint or bone pain, especially if your diet has been low in produce for over a month.
  • Prevention is simple with regular vitamin C foods or discuss a simple supplement plan with your clinician if you cannot tolerate produce.
  • Scurvy is still rare. Many people on GLP-1 therapy will never come close to true vitamin C depletion because even small amounts of produce or fortified foods can cover basic needs.

What is scurvy?

Scurvy is a rare disease caused by a severe vitamin C deficiency.

Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin needed to make collagen, which is a protein that acts like the body’s “support structure.” It helps hold your skin, blood vessels, gums, and other tissues together and keeps them strong.

Collagen makes up a large part of your skin. It is also an important part of your blood vessel walls. Without enough vitamin C, your body cannot properly build or maintain collagen.

When collagen becomes weak:

    • skin becomes fragile
    • blood vessels break easily
    • gums can bleed
    • small red or purple spots (petechiae) can appear
    • wounds heal slowly

Vitamin C also helps your body repair tissue, protect cells from damage, and support the immune system. So when vitamin C is low, tissues become weaker, healing slows down, and you may get sick more easily.

The most common root cause is an eating pattern that does not include enough fruits and vegetables like oranges, lemons, limes, and leafy greens. Vitamin C stores in the human body are limited. When intake stays very low, body stores drop, and symptoms can begin within 4 to 12 weeks.

Scurvy symptoms to watch for while on GLP-1 therapy

Common signs of scurvy include:

    • bleeding gums
    • loose teeth
    • easy bruising
    • extreme fatigue
    • joint pain
    • poor wound healing

Signs and symptoms of scurvy can begin within about one month if vitamin C intake falls below roughly 10 mg per day.

Can GLP-1 drugs lead to scurvy?

Not directly.

There is no established mechanism where semaglutide, tirzepatide, or other GLP-1 drugs directly deplete vitamin C stores or block vitamin C absorption in otherwise healthy intestines. The primary driver of vitamin C deficiency remains inadequate intake, along with specific medical conditions that reduce absorption.

However, GLP-1 drugs can make scurvy more plausible when they lead to weeks of very low fruit and vegetable intake, often due to nausea, vomiting, or very restricted eating patterns.

Nutrition intake during GLP-1 therapy

GLP-1 drugs reduce appetite. That helps with weight loss, but eating less can also mean getting fewer vitamins and minerals.

So, are people taking GLP-1 medications (like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro) getting enough nutrients from their diet?

In a 2025 study, researchers studied 69 adults who had been taking a GLP-1 drug for at least 1 month, and they recorded everything they ate for 3 days. Results showed that people were getting enough of:

  • Most B vitamins
  • Copper
  • Phosphorus
  • Selenium
  • Zinc

However, they were not getting enough of the following nutrients:

Nutrient

 Average intake in the study General Adult Recommendation (DRI)*

Status
Fiber

14.5 g

 25-38 g

Roughly half of what’s needed
Calcium

863 mg

 1,000-1,200 mg

Slightly low
Iron

12.1 mg

 8 mg (men) / 18 mg (women age <50)

Low for many women
Magnesium

266 mg

 310-420 mg

Slightly low
Potassium

2,186 mg

 2,600-3,400 mg

Low
Choline

305 mg

 425-550 mg

Low
Vitamin A

560 mcg RAE

 700-900 mcg RAE

Low
Vitamin C

51 mg

 75-90 mg

Low
Vitamin D

4 mcg

 15 mcg

Very low
Vitamin E

9.6 mg

 15 mg

Low

*Recommendations vary slightly by age and sex. Values shown reflect general adult ranges.

They also found that participants were eating 39.9% of their calories from fat (the recommended range is 20-35%), and were also consuming 26 grams of saturated fat daily, which is considered high.

So while total calories were likely lower due to appetite suppression, the diet was relatively high in fat and saturated fat.

Participants were not eating enough:

    • fruits
    • vegetables
    • grains
    • dairy

This helps explain why vitamins and minerals were low.

Their protein intake looked okay as a percentage of calories. But when researchers looked at protein per body weight (grams per kilogram per day), intake was too low for people losing weight.

In short, people on GLP-1 medications are:

    • Eating less overall
    • Not getting enough fiber
    • Not getting enough vitamins and minerals
    • Eating more fat than recommended
    • Not meeting higher protein needs during weight loss

Another study in 2025 used real-world insurance claims data to see how often doctors diagnosed nutrient deficiencies after patients started GLP-1 drugs. Out of 461,382 adults, 12.7% were diagnosed with a deficiency within 6 months, and 22.4% were diagnosed within 12 months.

Vitamin D deficiency was the most frequently diagnosed, with rates of 7.5% at 6 months and 13.6% at 1 year.

Who is at higher risk of scurvy while on Ozempic or Mounjaro?

Vitamin C deficiency and scurvy are rare in developed countries today. But it can still happen in people who have very limited diets or do not regularly eat fruits and vegetables, often after at least one to three months of very low intake.

You may be at higher risk if you are taking a GLP-1 medication and also have one or more of the following factors:

  • Ongoing nausea or vomiting – Persistent nausea or repeated vomiting can significantly reduce food intake. If this limits fresh produce consumption for several weeks, vitamin C intake may drop to inadequate levels.
  • Very limited or repetitive diet patterns – Examples include extreme picky eating, severe selective eating, and very restrictive diets that eliminate most fruits. If fruits and vegetables are rarely consumed, a deficiency can develop over time.
  • Food insecurity or limited access to fresh produce – People who cannot consistently obtain fruits and vegetables may already have marginal vitamin C intake. Appetite suppression may worsen that gap.
  • Alcohol use disorder – Heavy alcohol intake, particularly more than 80 grams of ethanol per day, is linked to poor dietary patterns and increased urinary loss of vitamin C. This combination increases deficiency risk.
  • Smoking – This increases oxidative stress and raises vitamin C requirements. Smokers need approximately 35 mg more vitamin C per day than non-smokers. If intake is already low, deficiency can occur more quickly.
  • Restrictive eating patterns or disordered eating – Active anorexia nervosa is generally not an appropriate indication for GLP-1 therapy. However, undiagnosed restrictive eating patterns or severe calorie restriction can occur in some individuals using GLP-1 medications. If food variety becomes extremely limited, vitamin C intake may fall below adequate levels.
  • Malabsorptive disorders – Conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, or cystic fibrosis can reduce nutrient absorption. Even if some vitamin C is consumed, absorption may be impaired.
  • Bariatric surgery history – GLP-1 medications are often used after bariatric surgery, especially for weight regain. However, bariatric procedures can already reduce nutrient absorption. If appetite suppression further limits diet variety, deficiency risk may increase.
  • Type 1 diabetes – GLP-1 medications are not FDA-approved for type 1 diabetes but are sometimes used off-label in select cases. Some evidence suggests higher oxidative stress in type 1 diabetes, which may increase vitamin C needs.
  • Hemodialysis – People on dialysis may lose water-soluble vitamins, including vitamin C, during treatment. If appetite is also reduced, intake may not compensate for these losses.
  • Iron-overload conditions – Too much iron in the body can cause vitamin C to break down faster and be lost in urine. While this does not automatically cause deficiency, very low intake combined with iron overload may increase vulnerability.
  • Food allergies, developmental conditions, or severe mental illness – Severe food allergies or conditions that limit dietary variety may reduce fruit and vegetable intake. Appetite suppression in this setting can further narrow food choices.

If multiple risk factors apply and your diet has been low in produce for more than a month, it is reasonable to bring this up with your clinician.

What food is highest in vitamin C?

Here are some of the highest natural food sources of vitamin C (per 100 grams):

  • Kakadu Plum (Australia) – up to 3,000 mg
  • Acerola (Barbados Cherry) – 1,500 to 1,700 mg
  • Rose Hips – 400 to 1,200 mg
  • Guava – about 228 mg
  • Red Bell Peppers – around 127 to 190 mg
  • Kiwi – about 90 mg
  • Oranges – about 53 mg

Vitamin C is abundant in fruits and vegetables, and many of the most concentrated sources are small in volume.

Vitamin C foods that work with low appetite

If you’re not feeling very hungry, these vitamin C-rich foods are light and easy to snack on:

Food and typical serving

Approx vitamin C
Raw sweet red pepper, half cup

95 mg
Orange juice, three-quarters cup

93 mg
Orange, one medium

70 mg
Kiwifruit, one medium

64 mg
Raw sweet green pepper, half cup

60 mg
Cooked broccoli, half cup

51 mg
Strawberries, half cup

49 mg
Cooked brussels sprouts, half cup

48 mg
Tomato juice, three-quarters cup

33 mg
Baked potato, one medium

17 mg

Note that cooking can reduce vitamin C content, and prolonged storage can also lower it, so raw or lightly cooked produce can help when feasible. A helpful mental shortcut is that five varied servings of fruits and vegetables can provide over 200 mg of vitamin C.

Should you take a vitamin C supplement on Ozempic or Mounjaro?

Most people on Ozempic, Mounjaro, or other GLP-1 drugs do not automatically need a vitamin C supplement, but some may benefit depending on their diet and risk factors.

According to the Mayo Clinic, most adults need:

    • 75 mg per day (women)
    • 90 mg per day (men)
    • Smokers need about 35 mg more per day

If you’re an adult, you should limit your vitamin C intake to no more than 2,000 mg per day. Higher intakes can cause diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramps, and kidney stone concerns are more relevant in people with certain risk factors.

If you have kidney disease, a history of kidney stones, or iron overload disorders, discuss supplement doses with your clinician first.

Specific groups may need to pay closer attention. In particular, people with obesity tend to have lower vitamin C levels. Research suggests that people with higher body weight often have lower vitamin C levels in their blood.

There are a few possible reasons for this.

    • First, diet patterns may be different. Some people with obesity may eat fewer fruits and vegetables, which naturally lowers vitamin C intake.
    • Second, when body size increases, nutrients like vitamin C get “spread out” over a larger volume. This dilution effect can make blood levels look lower.
    • Third, a larger body usually has a higher metabolic rate. That means the body may use up vitamin C more quickly.
    • Fourth, obesity can change how the body processes nutrients. These metabolic changes may affect how vitamin C is absorbed, used, or excreted.
    • Finally, obesity can alter gut bacteria. Since gut health influences nutrient absorption, this may also affect vitamin C levels.

Ask your doctor whether your diet is meeting your needs and whether a modest supplement, such as 100 mg daily, would make sense for you.

How to prevent vitamin C deficiency while on GLP-1 therapy

Scurvy does not happen overnight. It develops after prolonged, very low vitamin C intake, usually under about 10 mg per day for many weeks. If you are taking Ozempic, Mounjaro, or another GLP-1 medication and your appetite is reduced, the goal is to make sure you consistently get at least 75-90 mg of vitamin C per day.

Step 1: Choose one reliable source of vitamin C and make it part of your daily routine. Pick something that is easy to repeat, such as:

    • 1 medium orange
    • 1 kiwi
    • ½ cup strawberries
    • ½ cup chopped red bell pepper
    • ½ cup broccoli
    • 1 small guava

Try to build consistency. If nausea or appetite suppression is limiting food intake, switch to low-volume options:

    • 4 oz 100% orange juice
    • A small fruit smoothie (no need for large portions)
    • Vitamin C powder added to water (around 100 mg dose)
    • Chewable 100 mg vitamin C tablet

Step 2: Run a weekly diet check

Ask yourself weekly: Did I eat fruit or vegetables at least 5 days this week? If the answer is no, that’s your signal to adjust intake or consider a small supplement.

Step 3: Identify if you’re at higher risk

Be extra intentional if you:

    • smoke
    • had bariatric surgery
    • have ibd, celiac disease, or chronic malabsorption
    • are on dialysis
    • have a very limited food variety
    • have persistent vomiting

In these cases, discuss a routine 100 mg daily supplement with your clinician.

Step 4: Know early warning signs

Do not wait for severe symptoms. Watch for:

    • easy bruising
    • bleeding gums
    • slow wound healing
    • unusual fatigue

If these appear and your diet has been low in produce, bring it up promptly.

Bottom line

Ozempic, Mounjaro, and other GLP-1 medications do not directly cause scurvy. Scurvy develops when vitamin C intake is severely low for several weeks, usually because the diet lacks fruits and vegetables for 4 to 12 weeks. Be alert for early warning signs such as easy bruising, bleeding gums, small red or purple spots on the legs, slow wound healing, and unusual fatigue.

The good news is that prevention is straightforward. Consistently eating vitamin C–rich foods or using a modest, clinician-approved supplement if needed is enough to keep levels adequate while on treatment.

With a little attention to diet quality, scurvy remains a rare and preventable condition.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Ozempic does not directly cause scurvy. The more realistic risk is indirect, when nausea, vomiting, or reduced appetite lead to very low vitamin C intake for long enough. Ozempic labeling lists nausea and vomiting among common adverse reactions, which can affect intake in some people.

Mounjaro and Zepbound do not directly deplete vitamin C, but their common gastrointestinal side effects can narrow food choices or reduce intake. That can raise deficiency risk if your diet becomes low in produce for weeks.

Symptoms of scurvy can appear within 4 to 12 weeks of insufficient vitamin C intake.

Not necessarily. Recommended intakes are higher than the minimum needed to prevent deficiency. People can be below recommended levels without developing scurvy. The concern rises when intake is extremely low for a sustained period.

Most people can, but dose matters. The adult upper intake level is 2000 mg per day, and higher doses can cause gastrointestinal upset and may raise kidney stone concerns in susceptible individuals. If you have kidney disease, a stone history, or iron overload, discuss supplement plans with your clinician.

Semaglutide itself does not directly cause vitamin C deficiency. However, because GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide reduce appetite and slow stomach emptying, some people may eat less overall or avoid certain foods. If fruit and vegetable intake drops significantly, vitamin C intake can fall below recommended levels. Over time, poor dietary variety could increase the risk of deficiency, though this is uncommon in people who maintain a balanced diet.

Yes, rapid or restrictive weight loss can result in nutrient gaps, especially if calorie intake becomes too low or food groups are eliminated. Deficiencies in iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, and other micronutrients have been reported in people following very low-calorie diets or after bariatric surgery.

Some patients report changes in taste or new food aversions while taking semaglutide. Clinical trials of GLP-1 receptor agonists commonly note nausea and altered appetite, which can make certain foods less appealing. High-fat or heavily processed foods are often reported as less tolerable.

If appetite is low, focus on small, nutrient-dense meals rather than large portions. Soft foods like yogurt, eggs, smoothies with fruit and protein, soups, oatmeal, and lean proteins are often easier to tolerate. Staying hydrated and spacing meals throughout the day may also reduce nausea and improve tolerance.

There is no evidence that Ozempic specifically causes a dislike for beef. However, some people taking semaglutide report reduced preference for fatty or heavy meats, especially if these foods worsen nausea. Individual responses vary, and food preferences often change as appetite decreases. If red meat becomes unappealing, alternative protein sources such as poultry, fish, legumes, or dairy can help maintain adequate nutrition.

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