What vitamin c good for? Insufficient vitamin C in our body can result in health issues ranging from minor skin rashes to a disease as serious as scurvy. It is very common in developing countries like India, it is more prevalent in poor communities. Research finds that only 10.8% in the north and 25.9% in the south met the criteria for adequate levels of vitamin C level. Vitamin C deficiency varied by season, and was more prevalent in men, with increasing age, users of tobacco and biomass fuels, in those with poor nutrition and with lower intakes of dietary vitamin C1.
However, if you watch out these 8 early vitamin C deficiency symptoms, you can take the necessary steps and can prevent yourself. In this article, we will learn the signs and symptoms of this extremely important vitamin in our body. We will also learn what is scurvy, its clinical features including the best sources for natural vitamin C.
What vitamin C good for? It’s deficiency symptoms
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin and is easily oxidized acid and destroyed by oxygen, alkali and high temperature. It is an antioxidant that protects the body from free radical damage2. Our body requires vit C for normal biochemical and physiological function in our body. It has an important function of:
- It lowers the blood cholesterol level by converting cholesterol into bile acids.
- It helps the absorption of iron in the gut by reducing the ferric to the ferrous state.
- As an antioxidant, it protects the body from various deleterious effects of free radicals, pollutants, and toxins.
- Vitamin C is essential for the development and maintenance of connective tissues. It plays an important role in bone formation, wound healing and the maintenance of healthy gums.
Signs and symptoms of vitamin C deficiency?
There are several ways to test for vitamin C deficiency. One simple blood test can measure levels of vitamin C in your body. However, it’s also possible to take a saliva sample to check for low levels of vitamin C. Another option is to use a urine dipstick test. This test measures the level of vitamin C in your urine.
If you’re not getting enough vitamin C, you might notice some common symptoms such as fatigue, muscle aches, and headaches. You should see your doctor if you think you might have a vitamin C deficiency. They will likely recommend taking a daily supplement containing at least 100 mg of vitamin C per day. Some other symptoms of vitamin C deficiency include-anemia, infections, capillary hemorrhage, muscle degeneration, atherosclerotic plaques and neurotic disturbances.
1. Rough, dry skin
Vitamin C produces collagen, which is very important for healthy skin. Low levels of vitamin C can result in poor skin health. If there is a lack of vitamin C for more than 3 months then it can lead to a condition known as Keratosis Pilaris. It can make your skin dry, dull and rough. You might have noticed most skincare products/ vitamin C cream for face are loaded with vitamin C content as it is loaded with skin benefits.
2. Extensive Bruising
Collagen in our skin and epidermis acts as a protective layer to prevent bruising. When there is not enough supply of Vitamin C, collagen production of your skin slows down, causing you to bruise easily. A small injury can end up leaving severe scars.
3. Poor wound healing
It is the collagen in your skin that assists your body in healing. You may also experience slow healing of wounds due to vitamin C deficiency. Additionally, our body’s metabolism also plays an important role in healing process.
Lack of sufficient vitamin causes weak metabolism and hence slow wound healing. For your wounds to heal properly, you need to have Vitamin C in your body, which is ascorbic acid.
4. Weak bones
Vitamin C is also responsible for better bone health. Vitamin C helps the absorption of calcium inside our gut which in turn plays a crucial role in the formation of bones.
Therefore, vitamin C deficiency leads to poor bone health. Children should also consume enough vitamin C for better development of bones since childhood.
5. Joint pain
There may be many reasons for joint pain, but one of them is a lack of vitamin C in our body. This is because Vitamin C plays a crucial role in strengthening our joints. More importantly, joints contain a lot of the collagen that Vitamin C helps to produce.
6. Anemia
Vitamin C is responsible for the absorption of iron from the diet consumed. Low vitamin C levels can result in iron deficiency. If left untreated it can even lead to anemia.
7. Fatigue
Vitamin C is also responsible for replenishing your energy. The absence of this Vitamin C will likely make you feel tired.
8. Bleeding gums
Deficiency of Vitamin C causes scurvy?
When there is a deficiency of vitamin C in our body it is termed as scurvy. It is a condition that has multiple signs and symptoms. If left untreated scurvy can result in severe vitamin C deficiency which can contribute to several other health issues. There are several symptoms of scurvy that you many notices. Usually, it takes a few months to develop these symptoms.
Symptoms of scurvy
The presentation of scurvy is often malaise, fatigue, stiff joints and bruising, mostly on the upper thighs and legs. Frequently, easy bleeding of spongy gums is encountered. The next stage After one to three months the symptoms can worsen and consists of
- Open wounds,
- Jaundice,
- Fever,
- Loss of teeth
- Anemia due to poor iron absorption
- Bone pain and swollen joints
- Eye dryness
- Slow healing of wounds
- Poor immunity
- Headache
- Tooth decay
- Depression
- Chest pain
- Bleeding under the skin
How Can You Prevent Vitamin C Deficiencies?
When there is a deficiency of vitamin C in our body it is termed as scurvy. It is a condition that has multiple signs and symptoms. If left untreated scurvy can result in severe vitamin C deficiency which can contribute to several other health issues. There are several symptoms of scurvy that you many notices. Usually, it takes a few months to develop these symptoms.
Dr Sunit Sanjay Ekka is a physiotherapist in practice for the last 15 years. He has done his BPT from one of the premium Central Government physiotherapy colleges, ie, SVNIRTAR. The patient is his best teacher and whatever he gets to learn he loves to share it on his Youtube channel and blog.
