10 signs and symptoms of a lack of vitamin C

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a micronutrient naturally present in foods, especially citrus fruits, such as acerola or orange, for example.

This vitamin is a powerful antioxidant that works to delay cellular aging, but also participates in the formation of collagen, intestinal iron absorption, norepinephrine synthesis and the conversion of cholesterol into bile acids. See other important functions of vitamin C in the body.

The main disease related to vitamin C deficiency is scurvy, whose symptoms appear after 4 to 6 months of lack of the vitamin, leading to the appearance of some signs and symptoms such as purple spots on the skin. Childhood scurvy is also known as Moeller-Barlow disease, and is also characterized by significant bone deformities, impaired growth and cardiac changes.

Signs and symptoms of lack of vitamin C

Vitamin C deficiency can cause the appearance of some signs and symptoms such as:

1. Fatigue, paleness and dizzinessdue to anemia caused by poor iron absorption;
2. Difficulty healing woundsdue to collagen deficiency;
3. Bleeding, mainly through the gums and nose, but which can appear anywhere on the body, due to the disruption of the tissues that support the blood vessels;
4. Purple spots on the bodyalso due to the fragility of blood vessels;
5. Bone deformities and increased risk of fracturesespecially in children, as it alters the process of calcification and bone formation;
6. Hair loss and weakening of nails, cartilage and joints;
7. Bone pain and swelling in the body;
8. Teeth loss and softeningas it alters the formation of dentin, which is the matrix of teeth;
9. Increased risk of infectionssuch as flu and colds, as the lack of vitamin C impairs the formation of white blood cells and alters several functions of the immune system;
10. Sadness, mental stress and reasoning difficultiesas a lack of this vitamin can produce chemical changes in the brain.

Furthermore, if the deficiency is not identified and treated, other symptoms may appear, such as excessive tiredness and lethargy.

Causes of lack of vitamin C

Vitamin C is absorbed in the intestine and its main source is food, therefore, a lack of this vitamin occurs when the diet is insufficient or when absorption from the intestine is not adequate. Thus, some of the main risk factors are malnutrition, anorexia, smoking, alcoholism, intestinal diseases and inflammations, such as Crohn’s disease, for example. Furthermore, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, there is an increased need for this vitamin.

Vitamin C deficiency can also occur in people with gastrointestinal tract diseases, chronic or acute inflammatory diseases, people in post-intestinal surgery or who have severe burns.

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

How to treat vitamin C deficiency

Vitamin C is found mainly in fruits and vegetables, such as pineapple, acerola, orange, lemon and peppers, for example, and the presence of these foods in the diet is important to meet daily needs. Check out the complete list of foods that are sources of vitamin C.

The amount of vitamin C that should be consumed daily is around 75 mg per day for women and 90 mg per day for men aged 19 and over.

However, some people may need larger amounts, such as pregnant women, smokers and people taking some medications that can impair the absorption of this vitamin, such as contraceptives, antidepressants and diuretics. In the case of babies, children and adolescents, the amount is smaller, and it is recommended that a doctor or nutritionist be consulted to adjust the vitamin replacement in these cases.

As vitamin C can be eliminated through urine, its consumption should be daily. If the required amount is not reached through diet, it is also possible to consume supplements with vitamin C, which should be advised by a nutritionist so that there is no lack or excess. Understand what can happen if you consume too much vitamin C.

See how to use vitamin C in your daily life by watching the following video: