Everything you need to know about Vitamin C Deficiency

vitamin c deficiency

Vitamin C is a necessary component of good health. Vitamin C is also known by the names L-ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid, and L-ascorbate. It aids in the formation and maintenance of bones, skin, and blood vessels and is also a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C is found in a variety of foods, particularly fruits, vegetables, and supplements containing vitamin C are also available. Vitamin C deficiency is very common nowadays, however, with diet modification and supplements you can manage your body needs.

Vitamin C’s Importance

Vitamin C is thought by some to help with the treatment or prevention of a variety of diseases, including colds, asthma, bronchitis, cancer, chronic pain, cataracts, gastritis, glaucoma, heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, and Parkinson’s disease, even if there is no known deficiency. 

1. Acute Cold

Vitamin C’s effects in preventing the common cold are more speculative than scientifically proven. Vitamin C supplements did not reduce the rate of colds among participants when compared to the general population, according to a 2007 assessment of numerous studies comprising 11,306 individuals.

2. Loss of vision

Vitamin C pills have been shown to reduce the progression of macular degeneration, an aging-related eye condition that causes vision loss.




3. Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Vitamin C’s benefits in treating hypertension (high blood pressure) have long been claimed, but the effects aren’t quite as strong as formerly believed.

4. Cancer and heart disease

Vitamin C is frequently misrepresented as having the capacity to prevent heart disease and cancer. Vitamin C’s antioxidant capabilities have fostered most of the misinformation.

How do you know if you’re deficient in vitamin C?

vitamin c deficiency

Vitamin C deficiency, or a lack of it in your body, is caused by a lack of adequate vitamin C in your diet. A deficiency of vitamin C prevents the formation of new collagen over time. As a result, many tissues in your body begin to break down, affecting your body’s health and healing. Scurvy is a disease caused by a persistent (chronic) vitamin C deficiency that usually lasts three months or longer.




What are the signs and symptoms of vitamin C deficiency?

  • You have dry skin.
  • Hair splitting 
  • Gums that are swollen and discolored.
  • Gum bleeding that occurs suddenly and unexpectedly.
  • Bleeding from the nose.
  • Poor wound healing, etc.

Vitamin C deficiency can cause shortness of breath, nerve difficulties, high temperature (fever), and fits if not recognized and treated (convulsions). In certain persons with untreated vitamin C deficiency, bleeding inside the brain and around the heart can lead to death. This is, however, quite uncommon.




How do you treat a vitamin C deficiency?

Vitamin C deficiency can also lead to weak immunity and is treated by replacing the vitamin C that is missing from your diet. This can be accomplished by taking vitamin C supplements or eating a vitamin C-rich diet. A dietitian may be referred to you for assistance. Vitamin C pills can normally be stopped after a period of time. After the supplements are removed, it is crucial to continue eating a vitamin C-rich diet. This will assist you to avoid becoming vitamin C deficient again.

What is the suggested daily intake?

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has established a set of reference values for various nutrient intake levels, including vitamin C intake. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is a set of standards that takes into account average daily nutritional intake from foods and supplements.

RDA standards for specific gender and age groups should cover 97–98% of healthy people’s nutrient needs.

Well, that’s all about Vitamin C. But do you know about Vitamin D and its importance? Check out our insightful article on Vitamin D and other articles in the Health section now to get the best, verified and quality information. Do comment below the topics you’d wish to hear about.




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