Vitamin C deficiency common symptoms
- Dietitian.Lauren Hmede
- Feb 21, 2019
- 2 min read
How Much Do You Need?
When you have a balanced diet it is easy to have enough vitamin C, moreover, you need to get vitamin C from your diet as your body cannot make it or store it. Adult women (who aren't pregnant or breastfeeding) need 75 milligrams of vitamin C per day; men, 90 milligrams. A mere 1/2 cup of raw red bell pepper or 3/4 cup of orange juice will do it, while 1/2 cup cooked broccoli gets you at least halfway there.
Who's Falling Short?
People who have poor diet, on dialysis, smokers and alcohol are at risk of having vitamin C deficiency. You'll need an extra 35 milligrams of vitamin C per day to help repair the damage caused by free radicals that form when you smoke. Symptoms of deficiency will be noticed after 3 months o deficiency or low level.
Slow Wound Healing
The body needs vitamin C to make collagen a protein needed in the early stages of wound healing. And vitamin C helps neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that fights off infection.
Bleeding Gums, Nosebleeds, Bruises
Vitamin C keeps your blood vessels healthy, and it helps your blood clot. Collagen is also essential for healthy teeth and gums.
Weight Gain
Studies have been shown that low level f Vitamin C is linked with higher fat percentage in the belly area and this is maybe due to how the vitamin affect metabolism.
Dry, Wrinkled Skin
People who consume healthy diet with adequate amount of vitamin C have soft skin and this is maybe due to the antioxidant effect of vitamin C, if you are not getting enough vitamin C you will have dry and wrinkled skin.
Tired and Cranky
Studies have been shown that low level of vitamin C has been linked with fatigue and tiredness.
Weak Immunity
Some evidence shows that vitamin C protects your body from illness such as pneumonia and bladder infections. It may even lower your odds of heart disease and some types of cancer. This is due to the fact that vitamin C works as antioxidant and boost immunity so you will get more sick if you are not getting enough vitamin C.
Vision Loss
Getting enough vitamin C is important to prevent cataract but more research is needed. If you have age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and you are not getting a diet rich in vitamin C and antioxidant the problem will get worse.
Scurvy
Today, it's relatively rare but possible if you get only 10 mg/day of vitamin C or less. People with scurvy also have problems such as loose teeth, cracked fingernails, joint pain, brittle bones, and corkscrew body hair. When you boost vitamin C, symptoms start getting better in a day, and usually it's cured within 3 months.
Sources:
https://modaycenter.com/vitamin-c-vitamin-month/
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