Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that your body needs for various functions, such as making collagen, healing wounds, fighting infections, and protecting cells from oxidative damage. However, your body cannot make or store vitamin C, so you need to get it from your diet or supplements.

If you don't get enough vitamin C, you may develop a condition called scurvy, which is characterized by symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, bleeding gums, bruising, joint pain, and skin problems. Scurvy is rare in developed countries, but it can still affect people who have poor diets, malabsorption disorders, alcoholism, smoking habits, or chronic diseases.

 

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Vitamin C Deficiency?

Vitamin C deficiency can cause a range of symptoms that affect various parts of your body. The symptoms usually develop gradually over months of inadequate intake and worsen as the deficiency progresses. Some of the common signs and symptoms of vitamin C deficiency are:

  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Irritability and mood changes
  • Loss of appetite and weight loss
  • Anemia (low red blood cell count)
  • Bleeding gums and tooth loss
  • Dry, rough, and scaly skin
  • Corkscrew-shaped or brittle hair
  • Red or purple spots on the skin (petechiae or purpura)
  • Easy bruising and poor wound healing
  • Swollen and painful joints
  • Muscle pain and weakness
  • Bone pain and fractures
  • Infections and poor immunity
  • Scurvy (severe vitamin C deficiency)

 

What Are The Causes Of Vitamin C Deficiency?

The main cause of vitamin C deficiency is insufficient intake of foods that contain vitamin C. Some of the foods that are rich in vitamin C are:

  • Citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes)
  • Kiwi fruits
  • Strawberries
  • Papayas
  • Pineapples
  • Guavas
  • Mangoes
  • Cantaloupes
  • Tomatoes
  • Bell peppers (red, green, yellow)
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Cauliflower
  • Kale
  • Spinach
  • Cabbage
  • Potatoes

 

How Is Vitamin C Deficiency Treated?

If you have symptoms of vitamin C deficiency, you should see your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, dietary intake, lifestyle habits, and medications. They will also examine you for physical signs of vitamin C deficiency, such as bleeding gums, skin lesions, or joint swelling.

 

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Vitamin C Supplements

The treatment of vitamin C deficiency depends on the severity of your condition and the underlying cause. The main goal of treatment is to restore your vitamin C levels and prevent complications. Your doctor may prescribe you oral or intravenous vitamin C supplements to correct your deficiency. The dose and duration of treatment will vary depending on your individual needs.

 

Eat Foods That Contain Vitamin C

You will also need to eat more foods that contain vitamin C or take a multivitamin that contains vitamin C. You should avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking medications that can interfere with vitamin C absorption or metabolism. You should also treat any underlying conditions that may contribute to your deficiency.

 

How Can You Prevent Vitamin C Deficiency?

The best way to prevent vitamin C deficiency is to eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods that are rich in vitamin C. You should aim to get at least the RDI of vitamin C for your age and sex every day. You can also take a multivitamin that contains vitamin C if you are at risk of deficiency due to certain factors.

Some tips to increase your intake of vitamin C are:

  • Eat fresh fruits and vegetables rather than canned or processed ones.
  • Eat raw or lightly cooked fruits and vegetables rather than overcooked ones.
  • Eat the whole fruit rather than juicing it or peeling it.
  • Add some lemon juice or vinegar to your salads or cooked vegetables to enhance the flavor and the vitamin C content.
  • Choose fortified foods that have added vitamin C, such as cereals, breads, or juices.
  • Store fruits and vegetables in a cool and dark place to prevent loss of vitamin C due to heat and light exposure.

 

Conclusion

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that your body needs for various functions, such as making collagen, healing wounds, fighting infections, and protecting cells from oxidative damage. However, your body cannot make or store vitamin C, so you need to get it from your diet or supplements.

To prevent vitamin C deficiency, you should eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods that are rich in vitamin C. If you have symptoms of vitamin C deficiency, you should see your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment. Your doctor may prescribe you oral or intravenous vitamin C supplements to correct your deficiency. 


Please book an appointment with the Best General Physician in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find a verified doctor for your disease.