10 Symptoms That Indicate Vitamin C Deficiency

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is a micronutrient present in foods, mainly in citrus fruits, such as acerola or orange, for example. This vitamin has a powerful antioxidant action and acts by slowing cellular aging, but also participates in the formation of collagen, iron absorption at intestinal level, synthesis of norepinephrine and in the conversion of cholesterol into bile acids.

The main disease caused by vitamin C deficiency is called scurvy. This disease usually manifests itself within 4 to 6 months of the lack of this vitamin, causing the appearance of some signs and symptoms such as red spots (petechiae) and purple spots on the skin. Infantile scurvy is called Moeller-Barlow disease, and is characterized by causing bone deformity, growth retardation and cardiac alterations.

10 symptoms that indicate vitamin C deficiency

Main symptoms

Vitamin C deficiency can cause signs and symptoms such as:

  • Tiredness, pallor and dizziness, due to anemia caused by poor iron absorption;

    • Tiredness, pallor and dizziness, due to anemia caused by poor iron absorption;

  • Difficulty in wound healing, due to collagen deficiency;

    • Difficulty in wound healing, due to collagen deficiency;

  • Bleeding, mainly from the gums, in the eyes and nose, may occur anywhere in the body, due to rupture of tissues supporting blood vessels;

    • Bleeding, mainly from the gums, in the eyes and nose, may occur in any part of the body, due to rupture of the tissues supporting the blood vessels;

  • Bruising on the body and the appearance of petechiae, red spots on the skin arising from capillary fragility of the blood vessels;

    • Bruising of the body and the appearance of petechiae, red spots on the skin arising from capillary fragility of blood vessels;

  • Bone deformities and increased risk of fractures, mainly in children, by altering the process of calcification and bone formation;

    • Bone deformities and increased risk of fractures, mainly in children, by altering the process of calcification and bone formation;

  • Hair loss and weakness of nails, cartilage and joints;

    • Loss of hair and weakness of nails, cartilage and joints;

  • Bone pain and swelling in the body;

    • Bone pain and swelling in the body;

  • Loss and weakening of teeth due to disturbance in the formation of dentin, which is the matrix of the teeth;

    • Loss and weakening of teeth due to altered formation of dentin, which is the matrix of teeth;

  • Increased risk of infections such as flus and colds, as lack of vitamin C impairs the formation of white blood cells and alters various immune system functions;

    • Increased risk of infections such as flus and colds, as lack of vitamin C impairs the formation of white blood cells and alters several immune system functions;

  • Sadness, mental stress, hysteria, depression and/or difficulty in reasoning, lack of this vitamin can lead to brain chemical alterations.

    • Sadness, mental stress, hysteria, depression and/or difficulty in reasoning, the lack of this vitamin may produce brain chemical alterations.

    In addition to this, in case the deficiency continues, there may be the appearance of other late symptoms such as fatigue and lethargy. 

    Causes of vitamin C deficiency

    Vitamin C is absorbed in the intestine and its main source is food, therefore, deficiency of this vitamin happens when the diet is insufficient or when the absorption by the intestine is not adequate. Thus, some of the main risk factors are: malnutrition, anorexia, smoking, alcoholism, acute or chronic inflammatory diseases such as Crohn’s disease, for example. In addition to this, during pregnancy and breastfeeding the requirement of this vitamin increases.

    Likewise, vitamin C deficiency can also occur in people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, chronic or acute inflammatory diseases, people in post-operative intestinal or possessing severe burns. 

    Diarrhea can also increase fecal losses of this vitamin, as well as achlorhydria, which is a condition where gastric acid is not produced, decreases the amount that is absorbed. 

    Treatment of vitamin C deficiency

    Vitamin C is mainly found in fruits and vegetables, but it is also absorbed by the body through the intestines.The presence of foods such as pineapple, acerola, orange, lemon and paprika, for example, is important in the diet to cover the daily needs. See the complete list of foods that are a source of vitamin C. 

    The amount of vitamin C that should be consumed daily is 75 mg per day for women and 90 mg per day for men from the age of 19 and older. 

    However, some people may need higher amounts, as in the case of pregnant women, smokers and people who use some medications that may affect the absorption of this vitamin, such as the intake of contraceptives, antidepressants and diuretics and; in the case of infants, children and adolescents the amount is lower, so it is recommended to consult a doctor or nutritionist to adjust the replenishment of this vitamin in these situations.

    As vitamin C can be eliminated slowly through urine, its consumption should be daily and, in case the necessary amount is not achieved through food, it is possible to consume vitamin C supplements.

    See how to use vitamin C on a daily basis in the following video:

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