Top 5 Deficiency Symptoms of Vitamin C | Nutrifactor

Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, is beneficial for us in a variety of ways. It stimulates collagen production, boosts immunity, maintains skin health, improves bone & joint health, and provides many other health benefits, too. We can get these benefits only if we have an adequate amount of vitamin C in our body. On the other hand, low levels of vitamin C can cause moderate to severe types of deficiency symptoms in the body. 

What Are the Deficiency Symptoms of Vitamin C? 

There are top 5 deficiency symptoms of vitamin C will be discussed one by one in detail.     

1. Bumpy and Rough Skin

It is a common symptom of vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C is a key ingredient for the production of collagen in our body. Collagen is naturally produced in our body. And the ingredient, which facilitates its formation is vitamin C. Collagen is abundantly present in all types of connective tissues including skin, bone, tendons, and ligaments. And this is the collagen that keeps our skin firm, elastic, and smooth. But the deficiency of collagen causes rough, bumpy, and dehydrated skin. It also causes signs of premature aging such as wrinkles, dark patches, and saggy skin.

2. Slow Wound Healing Process

The slow wound healing process is the second most important deficiency symptom of vitamin C. Because collagen is involved in the wound healing process. The wound healing process undergoes four stages; hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. And collagen is required in all these stages for wound healing. Vitamin C deficiency slows down collagen production in the body which ultimately delays the wound healing process.

3. Weak Bones and Painful Joints

Since vitamin C plays a major role in collagen synthesis, it is present in high amounts in bones and joints. Collagen helps in strengthening bones and joints by providing ground support to their extracellular matrix. But the deficiency of vitamin C reduces collagen production and causes symptoms like weak bones and joint pain. Because collagen plays a vital role in maintaining the healthy structure of these connective tissues.

4. Gum Bleeding

An adequate amount of vitamin C helps make strong bones and teeth. It helps in strengthening the walls of connective tissues and protecting the lining of gums. Being a strong antioxidant, vitamin C also helps protect against gum and teeth infections. The deficiency of vitamin C causes gum bleeding, also called scurvy. Severe blood loss due to gum bleeding is likely to cause anemia in the body.

5. Weak Immunity

Vitamin C boosts the strength of the immune system by stimulating the phagocytic activity of immune cells. A good amount of vitamin C also facilitates the anti-inflammatory response of the defense cells. But the deficiency of vitamin C causes weak immunity thereby increasing the chances of pathogens entering the body and causing infection.

How to Overcome Vitamin C Deficiency and Its Associated Symptoms?

The deficiency of vitamin C can be controlled by consuming vitamin C-rich foods and good quality vitamin C supplements.

Intake of Vitamin C from Vitamin C-Rich Foods: 

Since vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and does not store in the body. This is also a highly unstable vitamin and can easily be leached out during the cooking of vitamin C-rich food. So, the best way to overcome vitamin C deficiency is the consumption of vitamin C-rich foods in raw form. Vitamin C-rich foods include citrus fruits, guava, bell pepper, parsley, and broccoli.

Intake of Vitamin C from Good Quality Vitamin C Supplements:

Severe deficiency of vitamin C cannot be controlled by consuming vitamin C-rich foods alone. So, you need to take a good quality vitamin C supplement also along with vitamin C-rich foods, just like Nutrifactor’s Nutra-C Plus, Extra-C, and Nutri-C 1000. These supplements contain a healthy amount of vitamin C along with other nutrients such as zinc, Rose Hips Extract, and citrus bioflavonoids. Rose Hips Extract improves vitamin C absorption in the body and maximizes antioxidant support. These food supplements do not cause any sour taste issues in the mouth because they have a specific coating on them.   

Vitamin C supplements help manage vitamin C deficiency and promote collagen production in the body. Ensure adding any one of these  vitamin C supplements  to your dietary routine to help control vitamin C deficiency in the body. 

References: 

•    https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-c-deficiency-symptoms

•    https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155758

•    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18505499/

•    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5707683/

•    https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-stop-bleeding-gums