10 Signs Your Body Is Lack of Vitamin C
Definition
What is a vitamin C deficiency?
Vitamin C is a type of vitamin that the body cannot produce naturally. However, this vitamin is needed by the body and you can get it from food or supplements.
This is because vitamin C is needed for health and repair of body tissues, including bones, skin, and teeth. If you are deficient in vitamin C, your body will be susceptible to disease and one of them is scurvy.
The good news, vitamin C deficiency can be overcome by taking vitamin C supplements and a diet rich in this vitamin.
How common is this condition?
Vitamin C deficiency is a rare health problem. However, there are certain groups who are vulnerable to a lack of vitamin C intake.
That is why, you need to consult with your doctor regarding the deficiency of vitamins and minerals needed by the body.
Signs and Symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of vitamin C deficiency?
Vitamin C is very important for the body. If you are deficient in this vitamin, of course it can trigger a number of disturbing symptoms. Here are some of the symptoms of vitamin C deficiency to watch out for.
1. Skin bruises easily
When the body is deficient in vitamin C, it is usually marked by skin that bruises easily. Bruising occurs when the small red blood vessels (capillaries) at the edge of the skin break down.
Inadequate intake of vitamin C can cause capillaries to weaken and burst. As a result, bruises on the skin appear.
2. The process of healing wounds is long
Vitamin C plays an important role in producing skin collagen. Collagen functions to close the wound in the wound healing process.
Meanwhile, a deficiency of vitamin C keeps your wound from healing after days.
3. Bleeding gums or canker sores
Lack of vitamin C intake can also cause the gums to bleed easily or canker sores. The reason is, the lack of collagen due to vitamin C deficiency does not work properly in maintaining healthy gums.
Therefore, damaged gums or canker sores that appear may be caused by a deficiency of this vitamin.
4. Dry hair and loss
Iron is a nutrient that is important for maintaining healthy hair. On the other hand, vitamin C is useful in increasing iron absorption.
Therefore, a deficiency of vitamin C makes the mineral absorption ineffective.
5. Dry and rough skin
One of the functions of vitamin C is to maintain healthy skin from exposure to UV rays. It is possible that dry and rough skin from sun exposure occurs because the body does not have enough vitamin C to fight it.
In addition, this vitamin deficiency can cause skin redness after exposure to UV rays.
6. Nosebleeds
Did you know that about 90% of the blood that comes out as a result of a nosebleed comes from the capillaries in the nose? This means that weakened capillaries are very likely due to insufficient vitamin C intake.
As a result, blood came out of the nose or commonly referred to as a nosebleed.
7. Easily sick
One of the benefits of vitamin C that can be obtained by the body is to increase the immune system. When the immune system strengthens, the risk of various diseases also decreases.
If you are deficient in vitamin C, your immune system will weaken and you can develop disease easily.
8. The shape of the nails resembles a spoon
If you have spoon-shaped nails that are accompanied by red spots or streaks, you may need to be alert. The reason is, nail conditions like this are often associated with vitamin C deficiency.
Red spots or vertical lines on the nails can appear as a result of weakened and ruptured blood vessels. Even so, the shape of the spoon nails with a red outline can also be a sign of other health problems.
9. Swelling and pain in the joints
Your joints generally contain a lot of connective tissue that is rich in collagen. If the body doesn’t get enough vitamin C, of course the amount of collagen in the joints will also decrease.
As a result, pain and swelling in the joints are unavoidable. In fact, this problem can make you limp or have difficulty walking.
10. Weakened bone strength
Vitamin C deficiency can also be characterized by weakening of bone strength. This turned out to increase the risk of fractures and osteoporosis.
Therefore, vitamin C is a vitamin that is important in bone formation. By getting enough vitamin C, the rate of bone loss will slow down.
When should I see a doctor?
If you experience one or more of the symptoms that have been mentioned, you should consult a doctor. The reason is, the symptoms of vitamin C deficiency are similar to other health problems.
Consulting a doctor at least helps you find out how to relieve the symptoms you are experiencing.
Causes and Risk Factors
What causes vitamin C deficiency?
Generally, vitamin C deficiency that occurs in adults is caused by an inadequate diet. That is, the body does not get vitamin C intake from food or supplements.
As a result, you may also be deficient in vitamin C and experience a number of the symptoms mentioned. In addition, the need for vitamin C will increase as a result of experiencing various diseases, such as:
- fever,
- diarrhea,
- iron deficiency, and
- lack of protein.
What factors could increase my risk for this?
Although it is a rare vitamin deficiency problem, there are various groups at risk of experiencing vitamin C deficiency, namely:
- dependence on drugs or alcohol,
- on a strict diet,
- have impaired absorption of nutrients (malabsorption), such as Crohn’s disease,
- elderly people who have an unbalanced diet,
- smokers, and
- pregnant or nursing mothers
Diagnosis and Treatment
How to diagnose this condition?
If you experience symptoms of vitamin C deficiency, consult a doctor immediately.
The doctor will later ask questions about diet and symptoms experienced. After that, you may undergo additional tests, such as blood tests to measure vitamin C and X-rays to see the condition of the bones.
What are the ways to deal with vitamin C deficiency?
The main treatment for vitamin C deficiency is to replace the vitamin C that is lacking in your diet. This method can work by taking supplements and foods rich in vitamin C.
You may also consult a nutritionist. For a certain period of time, you can stop vitamin C supplements as directed by your doctor.
Even so, keep in mind that getting a source of vitamin C from food is important when taking supplements is stopped.
Thus, vitamin C deficiency can be treated properly and the symptoms experienced subside.
Home Remedies
How to treat vitamin C deficiency at home?
As previously explained, a diet rich in vitamin C is important for overcoming this problem.
Apart from supplements, reported from National Health Institute, You can meet your daily vitamin C needs with foods such as:
- citrus fruits, such as oranges, kiwi, and grapefruit,
- other fruits and vegetables, such as broccoli, cantaloupe, strawberries, and red peppers, and
- foods and drinks fortified with vitamin C.
If you have further questions, please consult with your doctor or nutritionist to understand the solution that is right for you.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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